Perception
Full rules text, use cases, and edge-case handling for this skill.
Description
Perception covers your character's ability to notice fine details in the environment through any of the five senses — sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. It replaces the Listen, Spot, and Search skills from earlier editions, unifying all passive and active awareness into a single roll.
Any time an unusual sound, hidden creature, concealed object, or environmental hazard might be detectable, the GM calls for a Perception check. The check is usually reactive (no action required), but actively searching an area is a move action.
Check
The DC for a Perception check depends on what you are trying to notice. The base DCs below assume normal conditions; modifiers apply on top.
| Task | DC |
|---|---|
| Notice a visible, unhidden creature | 0 |
| Hear a normal conversation at 10 ft | 0 |
| Hear a whispered conversation at 15 ft | 15 |
| Find a secret door (actively searching) | 20 |
| Notice a camouflaged creature | Opposed Stealth |
| Hear a pickpocket attempt | Opposed Sleight of Hand |
| Hear a pin drop at 10 ft | 30 |
Modifiers
| Condition | Modifier |
|---|---|
| Per 10 ft of distance from the source | –1 |
| Per 2 ft of distance (underwater) | –1 |
| Through a wooden door | –5 |
| Through a stone wall or door | –15 |
| Perceiver is asleep | –10 |
| Perceiver is distracted | –5 |
Opposed checks (Stealth, Sleight of Hand) are resolved as a contest — the higher result wins, with ties going to the creature that initiated the action.
Action
Reactive noticing: No action — the GM rolls (or calls for a roll) when something potentially noticeable occurs.
Actively searching a 5-ft square: Move action. This includes searching for secret doors, hidden objects, or concealed traps in a specific area.
Try Again
Yes, but each new active-search attempt requires a move action and does not grant a bonus for having failed previously. If you fail to notice a hidden creature reactively, you do not automatically get another chance unless the situation changes (the creature moves, makes noise, etc.).
Special
- Alert (feat): +2 to Perception checks. Does not stack with the Alertness feat for this skill.
- Alertness (feat): +2 to Perception and Sense Motive; increases to +4 in each once you have 10 or more ranks.
- Familiar within reach: A spellcaster shares their familiar's +2 racial bonus to Perception while the familiar is within arm's reach.
- Low-light vision / Darkvision: These allow sight in dim or no light, but do not help with hearing-based Perception checks.
- Scent (ability): Creatures with Scent can use Perception to detect opponents by smell, potentially ignoring visibility penalties.
- Ranger: Perception is always a class skill for rangers.
Perception vs. Stealth: When a stealthed creature moves or acts, opposed checks are compared. The creature uses its Stealth result; any observer who beats it with Perception notices the creature. Observers who are not actively looking typically use their passive Perception (10 + modifier) rather than rolling.
Untrained
Yes. Perception is one of the most commonly used untrained skills in the game — every character may attempt it regardless of ranks.