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Pathfinder Unchained / Consolidated Skills / Perception (Wis)

Notice Creatures and Details

Source Pathfinder Unchained pg. 61
You can detect a creature that is using Stealth if you succeed at an opposed Perception check. You can also notice sights, sounds, and other stimuli detectable by your senses. Use the search function of Perception (see below) to find hidden objects, traps, secret doors, and other things that take time to detect.

StimulusPerception DC
Hear a battle-10
Smell rotting garbage-10
Hear details of a conversation0
See a visible creature0
Smell smoke0
Determine whether food is spoiled5
Hear a creature walking10
Hear details of a whispered conversation15
Identify powers of a potion by taste15 + potion's CL
Hear a key being turned in a lock20
Hear a bow being drawn25
Sense a burrowing creature underneath you25
Notice a pickpocketOpposed by Finesse
Notice a creature using StealthOpposed by Stealth


The DCs of Perception checks to notice (and to search) are modified as indicated in the table below.

Notice ModifiersPerception DC Modifier
Distance to the source, object, or creature+1 per 10 feet
Through a closed door+5
Through a wall+10 per foot of thickness
Favorable conditions-2
Unfavorable conditions+2
Terrible conditions+5
Creature attempting the check is distracted+5
Creature attempting the check is asleep+10
Source, object, or creature is invisible+20


Action: None. This function is largely reactive in response to observable stimuli.

Try Again: Yes.

Conditions: Favorable, unfavorable, and terrible conditions depend on the sense being used. Bright light might be a favorable condition if the check involves sight, while dimmer conditions such as torchlight or moonlight could be unfavorable. Background noise could increase the DC for a check involving hearing, and competing odors could increase the DC of a scent-based check. Terrible conditions could include candlelight impeding a sight check, a dragon’s roar drowning out other sounds, or an overpowering stench occluding a subtler smell.