Survival skill FINDs terrain for Ambush; Tactics skill to best utilize it?

Pursuivant · 11-03-2023, 12:52 AM

I'll add to the chorus saying that Survival isn't particularly relevant, unless the GM decides otherwise.

Survival might be handy for noticing less than obvious problems with an otherwise good ambush site, like stinging nettles or nests of stinging ants. It might also be good for keeping the ambushers warm and dry (or whatever) as they lurk or for making sure that the party doesn't make stupid mistakes if they have to set up camp along the way.

It might also allow the group to do things like keep their fires from being obvious if they have to camp near the ambush site.

It's just barely relevant if the enemy is having to make Survival rolls of their own, since it might give insights about what the bad guys are doing or how they have to travel.

I'll second use of Naturalist as a potential "fieldcraft" skill. In particular, it lets you make little observations about the overall natural environment which can give useful insights.
At the very least, it allows you to notice animal behavior which might indicate otherwise undetected human activity, like warning cries or flight.

It's definitely complementary to Tracking skill. Tracking skill will tell you what animal made the tracks your following and when, but except for obvious tracks (e.g., lame horse, horse with distinctive shoes) Naturalist is the skill of determining why an animal behaved as it did.

11-03-2023, 12:52 AM	#8
Pursuivant Join Date: Apr 2005	Re: Survival skill FINDs terrain for Ambush; Tactics skill to best utilize it? I'll add to the chorus saying that Survival isn't particularly relevant, unless the GM decides otherwise. Survival might be handy for noticing less than obvious problems with an otherwise good ambush site, like stinging nettles or nests of stinging ants. It might also be good for keeping the ambushers warm and dry (or whatever) as they lurk or for making sure that the party doesn't make stupid mistakes if they have to set up camp along the way. It might also allow the group to do things like keep their fires from being obvious if they have to camp near the ambush site. It's just barely relevant if the enemy is having to make Survival rolls of their own, since it might give insights about what the bad guys are doing or how they have to travel. I'll second use of Naturalist as a potential "fieldcraft" skill. In particular, it lets you make little observations about the overall natural environment which can give useful insights. At the very least, it allows you to notice animal behavior which might indicate otherwise undetected human activity, like warning cries or flight. It's definitely complementary to Tracking skill. Tracking skill will tell you what animal made the tracks your following and when, but except for obvious tracks (e.g., lame horse, horse with distinctive shoes) Naturalist is the skill of determining why an animal behaved as it did.