Comments on: D&D Burgoo (3.5): Harpies have bad B.O.

By: Omnus

Omnus — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:01:35 +0000

Consider the system. My favorite system, GURPS, does have "Acute Taste/Smell", and "Alertness" which also covers taste and smell, as advantages. However, I think the omission in D&D suggests that they want a delineation from being able to track by scent (the Scent feat or ability) against the range of smells that a human customarily has, which would usually be covered by the flavor text of an adventure. If a smell is powerful enough that a character can sense it, then they do. Figuring out where it is stronger would probably easiest be handled with an easy Wisdom check, or not even that, if it's really obvious.

By: Troy E. Taylor

Troy E. Taylor — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:26:29 +0000

I’m all about the oblique reference …

By: Martin Ralya

Martin Ralya — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:18:07 +0000

That snippet buried in the MM is an oblique reference to the Scent feat, which if memory serves is somewhere towards the back of the DMG. Many monsters, especially animals, have Scent, and all it does is let you use Track by smell. I agree that a straight Wis roll is the way to go in D&D 3.5e, and that's what I'd be likely to grant if it became important.

By: Troy E. Taylor

Troy E. Taylor — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:16:18 +0000

Idran: You must have rolled a 20 on your Spot check. The Perception description in the Pathfinder rpg rules alpha test does indeed include detecting smells. I had thought about adding that little bit to the post, but decided against it since it's discussion of the 3.5 rules as written. But good spot on that. Lesink: Yes, straight Wis checks are a logical alternative, and certainly within a DM's purview to go that route.

By: Kurt "Telas" Schneider

Kurt "Telas" Schneider — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:00:38 +0000

Savage Worlds and 4E both have Perception instead of Spot/Listen. They also both have Stealth instead of Hide/Move Silently. Sensory consolidation is a great idea; I've never understood why a Barbarian can have awesome hearing, but be otherwise 'sense-less'. Actually, now that I put it that way, it makes sense. (*rimshot*)...

By: fkewl

fkewl — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:00:40 +0000

Have a month-old Gorgonzola under the table. Now, leave it for incentive to find the harpy.. eeeevillll..

By: Idran

Idran — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:24:20 +0000

Do I get any credit for pointing out that Pathfinder’s replacement for Listen, Spot, and Search – Perception – encompasses all five senses including smell?

By: LesInk

LesInk — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:25:42 +0000

I'm assuming you are looking for a mechanic here that makes sense more than "DM Rule 0". In short, if no one has a specific skill, class ability (Ranger Track ability), or racial feature (various races have the above mentioned Smell capability) that applies, then go to the fall back -- ability check. Players do smell, they just don't have 'super natural' smelling ability. For lesser "basic" smelling, I would just use a Wisdom check since most nature checks tend to go to that side and one may have to "intuit" what they were were smelling and direction of the wind, etc. Everyone may smell the odor equally, but only the person with experience or wisdom can determine the type and source. Logic for using a Wisdom check: A skill check is just an ability check that players have put extra emphasis in. If a player does not have specific training in that area, they effectively have zero ranks, thus, they are doing a simple ability check. The rest is a matter of setting DC (15 to 20 for a harpy far away, lower for closer) and if you want them to make multiple checks as they get closer to the source (lowering the hidden DC as they get closer) -- effectively "following their nose".