Wisdom
Perception represents one’s ability to notice physical details. Its primary use is in searching a room, area, or physical object and is often used during skill challenges. It is also central to noticing hiding creatures.
Search
- Single Action
- Proficient Only: No
You can use Perception to look for a creature or object in a 10-foot area or notice unusual features of that location. This can be used in searching for a particular object or in general for information in a space. It is also the action used if there are creatures who have the Invisible, Sensed, or Concealed conditions.
When searching for an object of about a foot-by-foot dimensions, a DC 10 is used if it is sitting in the open. An object in a drawer, cabinet, or otherwise behind a door, is DC 15. A purposefully hidden item is a DC 20. And a well-hidden item can be DC 25 or more. The smaller the object, the more the DC increases while the larger the object is lower the DC becomes.
Secret compartments, doors, or places generally have a starting DC of 15. The better crafted entrances can have a DC 20 or higher. Some actions can lower a DC, such as measuring rooms, knocking on walls, or pulling drawers out. Carved panel wall, unusually shaped spaces or furniture can increase the DC by 5 or more.
Searching for a creature who is hidden often is against that creature’s Passive Stealth, see Common Rules.