Does posing as a guard use Deception or Stealth?
A PC in my campaign that is tailing an NPC. She is basically posing as one of his body guards.
At some point I want him to suspect that maybe something is up, and I'm thinking she would either roll a deception check or a stealth check. I just don't know which.
dnd-5e skills
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SevenSidedDie♦
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A PC in my campaign that is tailing an NPC. She is basically posing as one of his body guards.
At some point I want him to suspect that maybe something is up, and I'm thinking she would either roll a deception check or a stealth check. I just don't know which.
dnd-5e skills
edited yesterday
SevenSidedDie♦
205k30658934
asked yesterday
Elliot
612
New contributor
Elliot is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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I see that you used a new account to post your edit. Give the system a bit of time to work through that, and we'll see if we can get an answer up shortly! You could expedite this by logging into the original account ("Elliot" not "Elliot Wren") to bypass the approval process (you can always edit your own posts)
– Ifusaso
yesterday
add a comment |
A PC in my campaign that is tailing an NPC. She is basically posing as one of his body guards.
At some point I want him to suspect that maybe something is up, and I'm thinking she would either roll a deception check or a stealth check. I just don't know which.
dnd-5e skills
edited yesterday
SevenSidedDie♦
205k30658934
asked yesterday
Elliot
612
New contributor
Elliot is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
A PC in my campaign that is tailing an NPC. She is basically posing as one of his body guards.
At some point I want him to suspect that maybe something is up, and I'm thinking she would either roll a deception check or a stealth check. I just don't know which.
dnd-5e skills
dnd-5e skills
edited yesterday
SevenSidedDie♦
205k30658934
asked yesterday
Elliot
612
New contributor
Elliot is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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edited yesterday
SevenSidedDie♦
205k30658934
asked yesterday
Elliot
612
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Elliot is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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edited yesterday
SevenSidedDie♦
205k30658934
edited yesterday
SevenSidedDie♦
205k30658934
edited yesterday
SevenSidedDie♦
205k30658934
205k30658934
asked yesterday
Elliot
612
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Elliot is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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asked yesterday
Elliot
612
asked yesterday
Elliot
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612
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Elliot is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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New contributor
Elliot is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Elliot is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
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I see that you used a new account to post your edit. Give the system a bit of time to work through that, and we'll see if we can get an answer up shortly! You could expedite this by logging into the original account ("Elliot" not "Elliot Wren") to bypass the approval process (you can always edit your own posts)
– Ifusaso
yesterday
add a comment |
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I see that you used a new account to post your edit. Give the system a bit of time to work through that, and we'll see if we can get an answer up shortly! You could expedite this by logging into the original account ("Elliot" not "Elliot Wren") to bypass the approval process (you can always edit your own posts)
– Ifusaso
yesterday
2
2
I see that you used a new account to post your edit. Give the system a bit of time to work through that, and we'll see if we can get an answer up shortly! You could expedite this by logging into the original account ("Elliot" not "Elliot Wren") to bypass the approval process (you can always edit your own posts)
– Ifusaso
yesterday
I see that you used a new account to post your edit. Give the system a bit of time to work through that, and we'll see if we can get an answer up shortly! You could expedite this by logging into the original account ("Elliot" not "Elliot Wren") to bypass the approval process (you can always edit your own posts)
– Ifusaso
yesterday
add a comment |
2 Answers
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Posing as someone else typically uses Deception checks.
In the situation you describe, the PC is posing as a bodyguard and doesn't want to be exposed. Whether this means maintaining a disguise, or hiding her motives, or keeping up a convincing guard persona, the Charisma (Deception) skill is probably most appropriate.
Deception. Your Charisma (Deception) check determines whether you can convincingly hide the truth, either verbally or through your actions. This Deception can encompass everything from misleading others through ambiguity to telling outright lies. Typical situations include trying to fast- talk a guard, con a merchant, earn money through gambling, pass yourself off in a disguise, dull someone’s suspicions with false assurances, or maintain a straight face while telling a blatant lie.
To determine the PC's success at posing as a guard while the NPC is observing her, you would probably have the PC and NPC roll contested skill checks. Typically the NPC would roll a Wisdom (Insight) check versus the PC's Charisma (Deception) check, although as the DM you have the liberty to choose which skill the NPC rolls, depending on the circumstances.
answered yesterday
MikeQ
12.2k42474
3
Yep, I agree with this. Stealth might make sense for not being noticed, but if he knows you're there and you're just trying to act like a normal guard, then Deception probably makes the most sense.
– V2Blast
yesterday
add a comment |
It's a fine line, but it comes down to "Is the player trying to be unseen right now?" or "Is the player trying to fool someone into thinking they're a guard right now?"
If the player's trying to sneak into the guard detail unseen, it's a stealth check against perception. If she is showing up and saluting and pretending to be a guard, it's a deception check against insight. If the NPC suspects something, the player can attempt to hide (stealth), or convince the NPC she's really a guard (deception)
Also keep in mind the difference between passive stats and checks.
-The guards will be actively looking for trouble, but the NPC will probably be distracted with business or his own thoughts and only passively paying attention.
-A guard who is keeping file and chatting with his neighbor may not actively pay attention to how she's marching or who she claims to be, but guard captain who's suspicious of her will be actively looking for incorrect information when she talks and studying her appearance.
answered yesterday
Miles Bedinger
2535
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Miles Bedinger is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
Also, it's worth considering how large and/or homogeneous the guard group is. Are they fully-masked Imperial Stormtroopers or do they show a lot of individuality? Is the group small enough that one person could be expected to get to know all of them personally, or are there hundreds of troops, or even part-time extras that hardly anyone but HR knows? Do the guards come from a specific background (e.g. maybe you are attempting to sneak a female elf into a body of male Dwarven bodyguards)?
– Robert Columbia
23 hours ago
Indeed. These would all play into how high the DC would be for the deception check for blending in.
– Miles Bedinger
11 hours ago
add a comment |
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2 Answers
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2 Answers
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Posing as someone else typically uses Deception checks.
In the situation you describe, the PC is posing as a bodyguard and doesn't want to be exposed. Whether this means maintaining a disguise, or hiding her motives, or keeping up a convincing guard persona, the Charisma (Deception) skill is probably most appropriate.
Deception. Your Charisma (Deception) check determines whether you can convincingly hide the truth, either verbally or through your actions. This Deception can encompass everything from misleading others through ambiguity to telling outright lies. Typical situations include trying to fast- talk a guard, con a merchant, earn money through gambling, pass yourself off in a disguise, dull someone’s suspicions with false assurances, or maintain a straight face while telling a blatant lie.
To determine the PC's success at posing as a guard while the NPC is observing her, you would probably have the PC and NPC roll contested skill checks. Typically the NPC would roll a Wisdom (Insight) check versus the PC's Charisma (Deception) check, although as the DM you have the liberty to choose which skill the NPC rolls, depending on the circumstances.
answered yesterday
MikeQ
12.2k42474
3
Yep, I agree with this. Stealth might make sense for not being noticed, but if he knows you're there and you're just trying to act like a normal guard, then Deception probably makes the most sense.
– V2Blast
yesterday
add a comment |
Posing as someone else typically uses Deception checks.
In the situation you describe, the PC is posing as a bodyguard and doesn't want to be exposed. Whether this means maintaining a disguise, or hiding her motives, or keeping up a convincing guard persona, the Charisma (Deception) skill is probably most appropriate.
Deception. Your Charisma (Deception) check determines whether you can convincingly hide the truth, either verbally or through your actions. This Deception can encompass everything from misleading others through ambiguity to telling outright lies. Typical situations include trying to fast- talk a guard, con a merchant, earn money through gambling, pass yourself off in a disguise, dull someone’s suspicions with false assurances, or maintain a straight face while telling a blatant lie.
To determine the PC's success at posing as a guard while the NPC is observing her, you would probably have the PC and NPC roll contested skill checks. Typically the NPC would roll a Wisdom (Insight) check versus the PC's Charisma (Deception) check, although as the DM you have the liberty to choose which skill the NPC rolls, depending on the circumstances.
answered yesterday
MikeQ
12.2k42474
3
Yep, I agree with this. Stealth might make sense for not being noticed, but if he knows you're there and you're just trying to act like a normal guard, then Deception probably makes the most sense.
– V2Blast
yesterday
add a comment |
Posing as someone else typically uses Deception checks.
In the situation you describe, the PC is posing as a bodyguard and doesn't want to be exposed. Whether this means maintaining a disguise, or hiding her motives, or keeping up a convincing guard persona, the Charisma (Deception) skill is probably most appropriate.
Deception. Your Charisma (Deception) check determines whether you can convincingly hide the truth, either verbally or through your actions. This Deception can encompass everything from misleading others through ambiguity to telling outright lies. Typical situations include trying to fast- talk a guard, con a merchant, earn money through gambling, pass yourself off in a disguise, dull someone’s suspicions with false assurances, or maintain a straight face while telling a blatant lie.
To determine the PC's success at posing as a guard while the NPC is observing her, you would probably have the PC and NPC roll contested skill checks. Typically the NPC would roll a Wisdom (Insight) check versus the PC's Charisma (Deception) check, although as the DM you have the liberty to choose which skill the NPC rolls, depending on the circumstances.
answered yesterday
MikeQ
12.2k42474
Posing as someone else typically uses Deception checks.
In the situation you describe, the PC is posing as a bodyguard and doesn't want to be exposed. Whether this means maintaining a disguise, or hiding her motives, or keeping up a convincing guard persona, the Charisma (Deception) skill is probably most appropriate.
Deception. Your Charisma (Deception) check determines whether you can convincingly hide the truth, either verbally or through your actions. This Deception can encompass everything from misleading others through ambiguity to telling outright lies. Typical situations include trying to fast- talk a guard, con a merchant, earn money through gambling, pass yourself off in a disguise, dull someone’s suspicions with false assurances, or maintain a straight face while telling a blatant lie.
To determine the PC's success at posing as a guard while the NPC is observing her, you would probably have the PC and NPC roll contested skill checks. Typically the NPC would roll a Wisdom (Insight) check versus the PC's Charisma (Deception) check, although as the DM you have the liberty to choose which skill the NPC rolls, depending on the circumstances.
answered yesterday
MikeQ
12.2k42474
answered yesterday
MikeQ
12.2k42474
answered yesterday
MikeQ
12.2k42474
answered yesterday
MikeQ
12.2k42474
12.2k42474
3
Yep, I agree with this. Stealth might make sense for not being noticed, but if he knows you're there and you're just trying to act like a normal guard, then Deception probably makes the most sense.
– V2Blast
yesterday
add a comment |
3
Yep, I agree with this. Stealth might make sense for not being noticed, but if he knows you're there and you're just trying to act like a normal guard, then Deception probably makes the most sense.
– V2Blast
yesterday
3
3
Yep, I agree with this. Stealth might make sense for not being noticed, but if he knows you're there and you're just trying to act like a normal guard, then Deception probably makes the most sense.
– V2Blast
yesterday
Yep, I agree with this. Stealth might make sense for not being noticed, but if he knows you're there and you're just trying to act like a normal guard, then Deception probably makes the most sense.
– V2Blast
yesterday
add a comment |
It's a fine line, but it comes down to "Is the player trying to be unseen right now?" or "Is the player trying to fool someone into thinking they're a guard right now?"
If the player's trying to sneak into the guard detail unseen, it's a stealth check against perception. If she is showing up and saluting and pretending to be a guard, it's a deception check against insight. If the NPC suspects something, the player can attempt to hide (stealth), or convince the NPC she's really a guard (deception)
Also keep in mind the difference between passive stats and checks.
-The guards will be actively looking for trouble, but the NPC will probably be distracted with business or his own thoughts and only passively paying attention.
-A guard who is keeping file and chatting with his neighbor may not actively pay attention to how she's marching or who she claims to be, but guard captain who's suspicious of her will be actively looking for incorrect information when she talks and studying her appearance.
answered yesterday
Miles Bedinger
2535
New contributor
Miles Bedinger is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
Also, it's worth considering how large and/or homogeneous the guard group is. Are they fully-masked Imperial Stormtroopers or do they show a lot of individuality? Is the group small enough that one person could be expected to get to know all of them personally, or are there hundreds of troops, or even part-time extras that hardly anyone but HR knows? Do the guards come from a specific background (e.g. maybe you are attempting to sneak a female elf into a body of male Dwarven bodyguards)?
– Robert Columbia
23 hours ago
Indeed. These would all play into how high the DC would be for the deception check for blending in.
– Miles Bedinger
11 hours ago
add a comment |
It's a fine line, but it comes down to "Is the player trying to be unseen right now?" or "Is the player trying to fool someone into thinking they're a guard right now?"
If the player's trying to sneak into the guard detail unseen, it's a stealth check against perception. If she is showing up and saluting and pretending to be a guard, it's a deception check against insight. If the NPC suspects something, the player can attempt to hide (stealth), or convince the NPC she's really a guard (deception)
Also keep in mind the difference between passive stats and checks.
-The guards will be actively looking for trouble, but the NPC will probably be distracted with business or his own thoughts and only passively paying attention.
-A guard who is keeping file and chatting with his neighbor may not actively pay attention to how she's marching or who she claims to be, but guard captain who's suspicious of her will be actively looking for incorrect information when she talks and studying her appearance.
answered yesterday
Miles Bedinger
2535
New contributor
Miles Bedinger is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
Also, it's worth considering how large and/or homogeneous the guard group is. Are they fully-masked Imperial Stormtroopers or do they show a lot of individuality? Is the group small enough that one person could be expected to get to know all of them personally, or are there hundreds of troops, or even part-time extras that hardly anyone but HR knows? Do the guards come from a specific background (e.g. maybe you are attempting to sneak a female elf into a body of male Dwarven bodyguards)?
– Robert Columbia
23 hours ago
Indeed. These would all play into how high the DC would be for the deception check for blending in.
– Miles Bedinger
11 hours ago
add a comment |
It's a fine line, but it comes down to "Is the player trying to be unseen right now?" or "Is the player trying to fool someone into thinking they're a guard right now?"
If the player's trying to sneak into the guard detail unseen, it's a stealth check against perception. If she is showing up and saluting and pretending to be a guard, it's a deception check against insight. If the NPC suspects something, the player can attempt to hide (stealth), or convince the NPC she's really a guard (deception)
Also keep in mind the difference between passive stats and checks.
-The guards will be actively looking for trouble, but the NPC will probably be distracted with business or his own thoughts and only passively paying attention.
-A guard who is keeping file and chatting with his neighbor may not actively pay attention to how she's marching or who she claims to be, but guard captain who's suspicious of her will be actively looking for incorrect information when she talks and studying her appearance.
answered yesterday
Miles Bedinger
2535
New contributor
Miles Bedinger is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
It's a fine line, but it comes down to "Is the player trying to be unseen right now?" or "Is the player trying to fool someone into thinking they're a guard right now?"
If the player's trying to sneak into the guard detail unseen, it's a stealth check against perception. If she is showing up and saluting and pretending to be a guard, it's a deception check against insight. If the NPC suspects something, the player can attempt to hide (stealth), or convince the NPC she's really a guard (deception)
Also keep in mind the difference between passive stats and checks.
-The guards will be actively looking for trouble, but the NPC will probably be distracted with business or his own thoughts and only passively paying attention.
-A guard who is keeping file and chatting with his neighbor may not actively pay attention to how she's marching or who she claims to be, but guard captain who's suspicious of her will be actively looking for incorrect information when she talks and studying her appearance.
answered yesterday
Miles Bedinger
2535
New contributor
Miles Bedinger is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited yesterday
answered yesterday
Miles Bedinger
2535
New contributor
Miles Bedinger is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered yesterday
Miles Bedinger
2535
answered yesterday
Miles Bedinger
2535
2535
New contributor
Miles Bedinger is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Miles Bedinger is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Miles Bedinger is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
Also, it's worth considering how large and/or homogeneous the guard group is. Are they fully-masked Imperial Stormtroopers or do they show a lot of individuality? Is the group small enough that one person could be expected to get to know all of them personally, or are there hundreds of troops, or even part-time extras that hardly anyone but HR knows? Do the guards come from a specific background (e.g. maybe you are attempting to sneak a female elf into a body of male Dwarven bodyguards)?
– Robert Columbia
23 hours ago
Indeed. These would all play into how high the DC would be for the deception check for blending in.
– Miles Bedinger
11 hours ago
add a comment |
1
Also, it's worth considering how large and/or homogeneous the guard group is. Are they fully-masked Imperial Stormtroopers or do they show a lot of individuality? Is the group small enough that one person could be expected to get to know all of them personally, or are there hundreds of troops, or even part-time extras that hardly anyone but HR knows? Do the guards come from a specific background (e.g. maybe you are attempting to sneak a female elf into a body of male Dwarven bodyguards)?
– Robert Columbia
23 hours ago
Indeed. These would all play into how high the DC would be for the deception check for blending in.
– Miles Bedinger
11 hours ago
1
1
Also, it's worth considering how large and/or homogeneous the guard group is. Are they fully-masked Imperial Stormtroopers or do they show a lot of individuality? Is the group small enough that one person could be expected to get to know all of them personally, or are there hundreds of troops, or even part-time extras that hardly anyone but HR knows? Do the guards come from a specific background (e.g. maybe you are attempting to sneak a female elf into a body of male Dwarven bodyguards)?
– Robert Columbia
23 hours ago
Also, it's worth considering how large and/or homogeneous the guard group is. Are they fully-masked Imperial Stormtroopers or do they show a lot of individuality? Is the group small enough that one person could be expected to get to know all of them personally, or are there hundreds of troops, or even part-time extras that hardly anyone but HR knows? Do the guards come from a specific background (e.g. maybe you are attempting to sneak a female elf into a body of male Dwarven bodyguards)?
– Robert Columbia
23 hours ago
Indeed. These would all play into how high the DC would be for the deception check for blending in.
– Miles Bedinger
11 hours ago
Indeed. These would all play into how high the DC would be for the deception check for blending in.
– Miles Bedinger
11 hours ago
add a comment |
Elliot is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Elliot is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Elliot is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Elliot is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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I see that you used a new account to post your edit. Give the system a bit of time to work through that, and we'll see if we can get an answer up shortly! You could expedite this by logging into the original account ("Elliot" not "Elliot Wren") to bypass the approval process (you can always edit your own posts)
– Ifusaso
yesterday