Game Rules 
Custom Rules Listen Check
Custom Rules Listen Check
Here is a more detailed Listen check DC list. It is based on decibels and ranges.
Hearing Ranges are based on the basic sound, range from the source of the sound, and how much noise there is in the area. Take the basic sound that you are testing for and find the DC. Then add the range to hear bonus to DC. Then add the Noise bonus for the area that the listener is in. So if you want to hear a whisper (DC 15) at short range (+5) with a subway going by (+30) then you have to make a perception check versus DC 50! You might want to learn how to read lips instead.
If you want to figure out if someone at a certain range could hear some loud noise then take the DC of the noise and add the range bonus. If the noise is negative then they don't need to make a check to hear it. They will automatically hear it. If it is positive then that is the DC to hear it.
The chart is in decibels so that you can find the DC for noises that are not listed here.
Author's Note: Check out my game Nexus D20 at www.wiki.garrowolf.net!
Hearing Ranges are based on the basic sound, range from the source of the sound, and how much noise there is in the area. Take the basic sound that you are testing for and find the DC. Then add the range to hear bonus to DC. Then add the Noise bonus for the area that the listener is in. So if you want to hear a whisper (DC 15) at short range (+5) with a subway going by (+30) then you have to make a perception check versus DC 50! You might want to learn how to read lips instead.
If you want to figure out if someone at a certain range could hear some loud noise then take the DC of the noise and add the range bonus. If the noise is negative then they don't need to make a check to hear it. They will automatically hear it. If it is positive then that is the DC to hear it.
Notice
Notice is a different version of a listen check. It is a character's Perception +10 and is used as a DC for people to sneak by. These bonuses can alter that DC as well. If you are trying to sneak by a someone in a noisy restaurant then add a +10 to their notice DC.| Range to Hear | Modifier |
|---|---|
| Close Quarters | +0 |
| Short Range | +5 |
| Medium Range | +10 |
| Longbow Range | +15 |
| Long Range | +20 |
| Extreme Range | +30 |
| Barrier to Hear | Modifier |
|---|---|
| Through a Door | +5 |
| Through a Solid Wall | +15 |
| Listener Sleeping | +15 |
| Distracted Listener | +5 |
| Decibel | DC | Noise Example |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 20 | Calm breathing, leaves rustling |
| 20 | 15 |
Whisper, ticking of watch |
| 30 | 19 | Quiet library |
| 40 | 5 | Refrigerator humming, stream |
| 50 | 0 | Quiet office |
| 60 | -5 (+5) | Normal conversation, birds, electric shaver |
| 70 | -10 (+10) | Noisy restaurant |
| 75 | -15 (+15) | Barking dog, classroom, television, dishwasher |
| 80 | -20 (+20) | City traffic, vacuum cleaner, airplane at 1 mile |
| 85 | -25 (+25) | Noisy office, lawn mower, bus, applause |
| 90 | -30 (+30) | Subway, tractor, teenage stereo – Sustained sound may cause hearing loss |
| 100 | -35 (+35) | Blender, average factory |
| 105 | -40 (+40) | Diesel truck, motorcycle, train, printing press |
| 110 | -45 (+45) | Power Saw, dog kennel, baby crying |
| 120 | -50 (+50) | Pain Begins |
| 130 | -55 (+55) | Air Raid siren |
| 140 | -60 (+60) | Drag Racing, military jet, aircraft carrier deck, rock concert |
| 150 | -65 (+65) | Gun shot |
| 160 | -70 (+70) | Ear drum breaks |
The chart is in decibels so that you can find the DC for noises that are not listed here.
Author's Note: Check out my game Nexus D20 at www.wiki.garrowolf.net!
Favorite Custom Rules
by Tahsin Shamma, 5 with 5 votes
by Orion, 5 with 4 votes
by Orion, 5 with 3 votes
by Tahsin Shamma, 5 with 2 votes
by Orion, 5 with 2 votes
by Orion, 5 with 2 votes
by Tahsin Shamma, 5 with 1 vote
by Don Sauber, 4.8 with 5 votes
by Tahsin Shamma, 4.75 with 4 votes
by Orion, 4.67 with 3 votes