Skills: Listen vs. Spot

[Gnorbert]

So, what is the functional difference between these skills?

Spot allows you to "see" an enemy from farther away represented by seeing their shadow outline.

Listen allows you to hear an enemy from farther represented by the little noise animation on the ground (little red noise lines at their feet)


So which is better? IS one better? does hearing a monster allow you to target them? What is the real difference between these skills?

[QuintonReece]

Depends on which is a class vs. non-class skill.

Keep in mind you can get items to boost your spot.

[Gnorbert]

Well, that's my point, I want to understand the difference in how they function so I can better determine where I want to put my skill points.

[Lithic]

I much prefer spot as it gives you an outline. Listen's only visual clue is a little red splashing near the monster's feat (with no outline). Spot seems much easier to use to me at least.

If both are class skills (or both non-class skills), then I would go for spot. If one is a class skill and one isnt, then the one that is a class skill is likely the better investment.

Whichever one you take will let you tab target sneaking mobs though, so at least you will know something is there, if not exactly where.

[MrCow]

does hearing a monster allow you to target them?

Yes.


So which is better?

The ability to spot a silhouette of a stealthed critter is usually more advantageous as it allows you to see the direction it is facing.

[Gnorbert]

Ok, so Spot is a little more convenient than listen but they do essentially the same thing.

I'm building a bard and listen is a class skill while Spot is cross-class. So I should just put those points into listen instead of spot then.

Any other little quirks about them I should be aware of?

[QuintonReece]

Remember that Spot has item enhancements. Even if listen is a class skill and spot is cross class,... you may be better off with spot and an item to enhance it.

[Casanovious]

Doesn't spot also helps you notice other things besides mobs - such as secret doors, traps, etc?

Depending on how this works, spot might be directional. So if you are zoomed out and a mob is sneaking up behind you, a successful hear check should draw the red circles letting you know something is behind you. But if done correctly, the spot will not function because you cannot see behind you. (Does anyone know if spot it front only?)

[Drekisen]

Probably one of the few perks of listen is that if they have invisibility cast on them u can still see thier red clicks when they move if u do not fail ur listen checks. This is not really a great perk tho as u can easily aquire see invisibility clickies.

I'm not sure if listen increases ur ability to actually hear monsters from further away or if u just see the red clicks when they move.

Spot...IMO, is a far more useful and superior skill. PLus it allows u to find all those secret doors with extra chests, shrines or *shivers* monsters so u can make good use of ur detect secret doors clicks and also gain the perception bonues for xp.

[Drekisen]

Yes.



The ability to spot a silhouette of a stealthed critter is usually more advantageous as it allows you to see the direction it is facing.

Yeah the ability to target them too with listen is nice...thanks Cow :)

[ARcdevil]

In my opinoin spot is all round better, however it is easyier to spot something with spot. (excuse the very bad pun) than with listen.

[FlyingTurtle]

I think someone took GSF: Thread Necro and all their necro enhancements.

[ddobard1]

Just my opinion based on game experience.

Both skills let you obtain a useful perception of Critters. Spot let you see the faints of monsters at distance. Listen let you see red circles at Critters feet at distance. Both skills let you identify the type and challenge of the Critter you have ahead.

If they are both class skills or both cross skills, then Spot may be better for the Secret Doors. (Traps for Rogue.) I don't know if it's true, but I read somewhere that only a high value of Listen enables to hear the Dungeon Master in certain areas.

If you are a Barbarian or a Bard (OP matter.) then Listen is class skill, so I choose Listen over Spot. (And I don't think twice!)

[Mister_Peace]

Listen will allow you to find invisible monsters, but without a competence bonus it may not be worthwhile.

[ddobard1]

Disagree totally, I put skill points in Listen on my Human Barbarian and I found all the Critters at distance.

[Tom318]

Because there's always someone who's standing in front of it, jumping up and down and going "SEARCH HERE YOU DUMMY!" :)