Vigilance (Willpower)

Vigilance represents the ability to be constantly aware of your surroundings, often without consciously making the effort. Characters with ranks in Vigilance are more likely to spot threats in their environment, notice important clues out of the corner of their eye, and catch lies as they’re being told.
You probably noticed from the description that Vigilance, more than most other skills, is a bit of a passive skill. In fact, Vigilance is supposed to be used when your character doesn’t expect a threat, isn’t looking for a clue, or is otherwise unaware of something important. This is why we use it to determine Initiative in combat when a character is surprised, to see how much that character was paying attention. It also means that when your GM asks you to make a Vigilance check, you may suspect that something is up. Your character, however, shouldn’t be suspicious (unless they pass the check!)
Vigilance is also one of skills that you use to oppose certain social skill checks (primarily Deception) when those checks target your character.
Your character should use this skill if…
• Your character just got ambushed, and you are rolling to determine Initiative order. A high Vigilance means your character has a better chance of reacting quickly to the threat.
• Your character is being lied to; the opponent’s Deception check is opposed by your character’s Vigilance skill.
• Your character has a chance to notice important details in their surroundings while not looking for them directly.
Your character should not use this skill if…
• You are determining Initiative order when your character is not surprised (such as when they are the ambushers, instead of the ambushed). In this case, your character uses Cool instead.
• Your character actively looks for something. This calls for a Perception check.