Secret Rolls
There are 3 kinds of rolls: Public Rolls, Hidden Rolls, and Secret Rolls.
Public rolls are viewable for everyone at the table. These are the standard, for use in most rolls. (e.g. rolling to hit)
Hidden rolls are publically called, but will have their results hidden to all but the DM. These will generally occur at times when knowing that you failed at something can cause you to act differently. (e.g. rolling Perception to determine if someone is lying to you).
Secret rolls are rolled by the DM without informing the players. These will occur when knowing that a roll is required can cause you to act differently (e.g. rolling Perception to avoid walking into a trap).
This isn't technically a houserule since PF2e has the "Secret" tag for certain actions, but just clarifying it here.
Be specific, it can only help
Imagine your character has just finished downing some goblins and has started searching the dilapidated room they were hiding in. If you just say "I'm searching the room", you'd have a (hidden) Perception DC of 25 to notice the bag of gold hidden in a drawer with a false bottom. If you say "I'm checking this area with the drawers and closet", that DC would be reduced to 20. If you say "I'm checking the drawers for any panels or hidden compartments", I will accuse you of cheating but also drop that DC down to 10.
This applies for a bunch of different situations. Few other examples are below, but by no means exhaustive.
- Making an Impression on an NPC, specifying that you're going to chat with them about their favorite hobby (miniature painting)
- Earning Income, specifying how your unique skill at crafting alchemical fungal cream can make a killing in town
- Hiding an Object, specifying that you're going to put the bag of gold w/ your sons college fund in the false bottom of the drawer before the humans break through the door.
RP for that DC
Similar to above. Additive too! If you put in the effort to RP your conversation, I'll adjust the DC accordingly.
That's it for now, but if you have any suggestions for something you'd like to see/change, let me know!
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