Spot and Search checks

[Nerve Gas]

Just to add confusion to the mix, what would you use for the lucky person keeping watch over camp at night? I would think spot would allow you to see the ambushers, but you are actively searching the night trying to notice movement or shadows or whatever.

[Farcaster]

Just to add confusion to the mix, what would you use for the lucky person keeping watch over camp at night? I would think spot would allow you to see the ambushers, but you are actively searching the night trying to notice movement or shadows or whatever.

I think the consensus is that Search and Spot are not active vs. passive skills, they just have different uses. In the example you gave, a spot check would be appropriate because spot is used to notice hidden opponents and to set encounter distances.

[ronpyatt]

There are a few other clues that are spotted throughout the rules. If an object is invisible, say an invisible rock, then it is considered to be essentially a hiding creature that requires a DC40 spot check to notice and a DC60 spot check to locate. If the invisible object is moving, such as an invisible rock rolling down a hill, the DC for a creature holding still is used, which is a DC30 to notice and a DC50 to locate. Invisible objects are considered creatures because it is as if they are trying to hide.

Can be found at this site http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20040921a

The skill check chart in the DMG has a list of example DCs and skill checks and associated tasks. A few things are listed with no skill check behind them, just an ability check. Perhaps that is the answer. Search is used to find objects, so maybe it's a simple Int check to spot objects in plain sight.