Post by pigron on Nov 3, 2015 11:20:22 GMT -7
Listen allows one to identify monsters on the other side of walls, so if you are not running full tilt like an imbecile, you should never run into a surprise.
That being said, it is a good idea for everyone to take some listen skill. It is a
class skill for both palemasters and red dragon disciples. Add five to
be useful, ten to be amazing, and 15 to be Obi Wan Kenobi.
Knowing what's ahead and where things are allows for precision luring. It allows you to know where to fight so you won't be heard by monsters that may run around a corner to aid their comrade as well. It also let's you plan where to lay traps, or delayed blast fireballs.
There are two spells that pump listen skill, amplify and clairvoyance.
Amplify is a first level bard spell. It increases listen skill by +20. A bard with the brew potion feat can make these potions in the Land of Chaos, as reported by the Wand Witch.
Clairvoyance increases both listen and spot by at least +10. This is enough to see things that aren't stealthed long before they see you.
Remember, this trick works both ways. Beware of monsters with outrageous listen skill. (Dis and Lilliths come to mind)
Some characters have skill points to burn, so even as a cross class skill. listen skill makes sense. For instance, wizards have intelligence as a primary ability, which gives them an
advantage when assigning skills, even those outside of their usual class
skills. A minimal archmage with 19 intelligence (if generated with 18)
will have 160 more skill points to spend by level 40 than a character
with 10 or 11 Int.
That being said, it is a good idea for everyone to take some listen skill. It is a
class skill for both palemasters and red dragon disciples. Add five to
be useful, ten to be amazing, and 15 to be Obi Wan Kenobi.
Knowing what's ahead and where things are allows for precision luring. It allows you to know where to fight so you won't be heard by monsters that may run around a corner to aid their comrade as well. It also let's you plan where to lay traps, or delayed blast fireballs.
There are two spells that pump listen skill, amplify and clairvoyance.
Amplify is a first level bard spell. It increases listen skill by +20. A bard with the brew potion feat can make these potions in the Land of Chaos, as reported by the Wand Witch.
Clairvoyance increases both listen and spot by at least +10. This is enough to see things that aren't stealthed long before they see you.
Remember, this trick works both ways. Beware of monsters with outrageous listen skill. (Dis and Lilliths come to mind)
Some characters have skill points to burn, so even as a cross class skill. listen skill makes sense. For instance, wizards have intelligence as a primary ability, which gives them an
advantage when assigning skills, even those outside of their usual class
skills. A minimal archmage with 19 intelligence (if generated with 18)
will have 160 more skill points to spend by level 40 than a character
with 10 or 11 Int.
