How Spot/Listen actually works?

[KOPOJIbPAKOB]

I am a bit confused of how detection against hidden characters works.

As I imagine it, I make two separate d20 rolls every 6 seconds — Spot vs Hide and Listen vs MS — And if I will be able to beat at least one of those DCs I will detect the character, am I right?
If not — how does this actually work?

And are there any situational modifiers to Spot/Listen, like the distance from the target, the terrain, the illumination etc?

[Deathgrowl]

Against non-hostiles it's spot or listen + d20 vs modified hide or move silently skill (respectively). The hidden character doesn't get a d20 unless it is hostile.

There are indeed also various situational and locational modifiers.

[Blackman D]

a character passively searching makes 1 spot check per round, actively searching makes 3 checks per round and keen senses makes 5 checks per round vs H/MS

sneaks round a d20 when they enter stealth and dont know what they get as a bonus

obviously if your spot check beats a hide skill you spot them, and if listen beats a move slightly skill you hear them; sneaks have to pass both but a detector needs only win one

various engine modifiers as bonuses and penalties to both like lighting, day/night time, weather, and terrain

as well as area modifiers in some places added by the map itself

[KOPOJIbPAKOB]

Thanks for your responses ^^
Beware, sneakers!

[NegInfinity]

I am a bit confused of how detection against hidden characters works.

As I imagine it, I make two separate d20 rolls every 6 seconds — Spot vs Hide and Listen vs MS — And if I will be able to beat at least one of those DCs I will detect the character, am I right?

Yes.

And are there any situational modificators to Spot/Listen, like the distance from the target, the terrain, the illumination etc?

Some areas have massive debuff that affects hide/move silently (durlag's tower).
Standing still produce +5 bonus to listen.
Also see:
http://nwn2.wikia.com/wiki/Listen
http://nwn2.wikia.com/wiki/Spot
The article mentions that sneak also adds 1d20 to their roll, but it doesn't seem to be true, or doens't seem to matter.

Long story short, to be undetectable you need to have hide/move silently 20 point higher than pursuer's listen/spot skills.

[Valefort]

Durlag's tower no longer has modifiers to hide/ms.

[niapet]

Its hard to find info on stealth for nwn2 but this is a detailed review of it for NWN1 so most of it probably applies:

http://nwnsotu.proboards.com/thread/356

Rogues have the edge unless you are a wisdom based class. If a rogue has spent all their points on DEX and wisdom is dump stat for the spotter they really already lost. Priests and druids spot rogues.. well if they focus on it a lot...


P.S. Don't stress too much lol, Elspeth spotted Dasha with a powerful skill, psychology =P

[Blackman D]

Long story short, to be undetectable you need to have hide/move silently 20 point higher than pursuer's listen/spot skills.

its more like 30 pts higher

because you need to beat their d20 roll, which gives you the base +20 and then it is very easy to have at least two negative engine modifiers at any one time; this can be direct negative on you or a bonus to them which is a net negative for you as a sneak

using your own example on the listen bonus, standing still does give +5 listen and moving gets a -5 MS and running gives a -10

so sneaking on someone who isnt moving you already have a -10 along with the d20 and those with camo (stealth run) would have a -15

and if you approach from their side they get another +5 listen...

so yea the gap to be safe gets high

[MasterSilke]

So simply doing what the skill is called - moving silently - automatically gives a -5 modifier...
Kind of silly, but I guess it is what it is.

[niapet]

So simply doing what the skill is called - moving silently - automatically gives a -5 modifier...
Kind of silly, but I guess it is what it is.

Silence removes MS from the equation. =P

[chad878262]

You can't cast silence on yourself.

[NegInfinity]

Its hard to find info on stealth for nwn2 but this is a detailed review of it for NWN1 so most of it probably applies:

http://nwnsotu.proboards.com/thread/356

Rogues have the edge unless you are a wisdom based class. If a rogue has spent all their points on DEX and wisdom is dump stat for the spotter they really already lost. Priests and druids spot rogues.. well if they focus on it a lot...


P.S. Don't stress too much lol, Elspeth spotted Dasha with a powerful skill, psychology =P

NWN1 spot/listen works differently because in NWN1 listen allows you to unhide invisible creatures (meaning magical invisibility) - you'll know where they are and will be able to target them, but they'll act as having concealment.

No such thing in NWN2.

[niapet]

You can't cast silence on yourself.

yes but you can cast it on your rogue friend you are with >:)

[chad878262]

yes, if you toggle hostile first it should work since they tend to have low will saves. However, that is a fairly unique situation that would require a bard/cleric or wand (if you are willing to use multiple charges). Good strategy for a boss fight, but the duration makes it circumspect for any real CvC type of stealth/spying or other long term usage. Especially since when it wears off the nice little "here I am" indicator will pop above your head.

[KOPOJIbPAKOB]

I also heard that only creatures detected with Spot can be targeted, while those detected with Listen can't, is this true?