Assist Disguise

[Hathor]

Currently there are few ways to raise one's Disguise skill, making it balanced very much in favor of the spotter. Additionally, many methods only work on oneself, which creates an odd situation where a PC can be a "disguise expert" but unable to help anyone around them pull off a look. Imagine if a PC who is an expert in Disguise can provide, using a Disguise Kit, a little of their expertise to other PCs, helping them with makeup, clothing, etc.

It could work in a manner similar to lockpicks and healing kits--better disguise kits providing better bonuses, up to a certain amount and requiring a certain amount of skill on the part of the PC providing the assist. The duration would be limited, of course.

[Arawn]

Remember that only a portion of Disguise is the "look." As an abstract skill in D&D, it also encompasses all the various components of putting on a persona--voice, carriage, gestures, etc.

[Hathor]

Remember that only a portion of Disguise is the "look." As an abstract skill in D&D, it also encompasses all the various components of putting on a persona--voice, carriage, gestures, etc.

I agree, but I feel it's still a portion that could be assisted with. As I see it, voice and body language are the harder aspects of a person to recognize, while basic "look" is easier to recognize and describe. For example, a guard might notice clothing and hair more quickly and easily than they can take in the more subtle signs. For this reason I think basic bonuses still represent that abstract.

[Khornite]

Think of it in the context of an actor. The effects team can make Doug Jones look like a blue fish person. But it's Jones' acting that makes you think he's Abe Sapien. The make up and costume people can make Tom Hardy look like Al Capone, but if he just busts out with his regular voice and mannerisms, you're not going to buy his performance as Al Capone. It's why Tom Cruise isn't that fun to watch sometimes, he just plays Tom Cruise. 

[Iridni Ren]

Just for fun:

On topic, I think items that raise anyone's disguise skill are a natural progression (assuming they haven't already been added). It seems to me when a disguise system was discussed before implementation, these items were talked about as coming.

Rather than debate the realism or not of having someone use her disguise skill on someone else, however, I think we should evaluate the idea in terms of general principles of the game. Skill points represent the individual's time, effort, and practice. I can't think of another skill in which the points can be somehow transferred to another, but perhaps I'm overlooking a contrary example.

So that's why I would not want to see this change: for simple consistency. The person has practiced and learned how to disguise *herself*--not others. Think about also how she is limited to a certain number of disguises based on her skill.

If the skill were general, she would also be able to use many, many disguises, all with a comparable level of skill. No, she has practiced and gotten really good at a few false identities. She does not have the ability to allow others to assume even more identities.