[Social Engineering] Why can't Observation be used to covertly judge approachability?

[roguebfl]

Originally Posted by Langy

The question in the thread is why you can't make a Per-based roll against a relevant skill and an Observation roll to make that covert, rather than a Per-based roll against a relevant skill and an Acting (or Streetwise, or Savoir-Faire) roll to make it covert. No matter which skill you choose to remain covert, you still need to roll against a relevant skill to understand the information.

And the answer given is because Observation doesn't tell you how to be convert just how to do it without blowing how you being Covert.

Walking in the bank and pretending to be a customer, and gathering intel so that the Jackson 11 can go back to their hotel to plan the heist.

Has two rolls, one Observation this covers if you get the intel you need. And an Acting Roll. the Acting roll covers both knowing how a customer will behave AND the covering of observation because it how to look like your a customer despite that you are casing the joint.

But they will know you were there, but if you were stressful they will pay no heed to the fact you were there.

Or you can use Stealth and Observation to try not to be spotted at all.

Or you can use Acting to pretend to be a customer, and Per-based say streetwise to see who you should follow out to pick their pockets.