I was curious how most GM handles the situation when a check has to be made during an investigation.

Would you have each individual PC make a check or would you make one group check using the Assist mechanics?

For example:

Let's say there is a scenario when a successful Perception check may allow the characters to notice that a Rival is nervous and give them a boost to coerce the individual or negotiate with them. Failure might mean they don't notice that and make their coerce / negotiate as a regular check with no modifier.

Would you allow each PC to make a check or have 1 check made for the group?

Check out combined checks. best skill with best ability. IE Best cunning with best perception.

I'd say one check. I do have group checks on some things where a number of skills could be used with a target # of successes and advantages providing different levels of results, so that everyone participates in an outcome.

I'd say one check. I do have group checks on some things where a number of skills could be used with a target # of successes and advantages providing different levels of results, so that everyone participates in an outcome.

I like that idea of some scenarios requiring multiple checks and a total number of successes. Thanks...

In that example I would only have the most perceptive PC make a check. If the Party where looking for cues I (and it was narrative time) I would allow a combined skill check of the most cunning and most perceptive.

If individual PC's had said they where looking as well there may be a couple of boost dice thrown in.

I would also through plenty of setback dice in for other NPC's causing distraction.

I would never have every PC roll, it's basically ensuring the party will succeed, which defeats the purpose of even having them roll.

In that example I would only have the most perceptive PC make a check. If the Party where looking for cues I (and it was narrative time) I would allow a combined skill check of the most cunning and most perceptive.

If individual PC's had said they where looking as well there may be a couple of boost dice thrown in.

I would also through plenty of setback dice in for other NPC's causing distraction.

I would never have every PC roll, it's basically ensuring the party will succeed, which defeats the purpose of even having them roll.

Agreed...

I'd say one check. I do have group checks on some things where a number of skills could be used with a target # of successes and advantages providing different levels of results, so that everyone participates in an outcome.

I like that idea of some scenarios requiring multiple checks and a total number of successes. Thanks...

Sure. An example was I had a very secure vault door that the PCs needed to breach which required 2 Computers checks, a Skulduggery, and a Mechanics check simultaneously. One Slicer had to work the electronic lock. One Slicer had to disable security systems. The Skulduggerer? had to work a manual backup, and the Mechanic had to disable a hydraulics feature.

I'd say one check. I do have group checks on some things where a number of skills could be used with a target # of successes and advantages providing different levels of results, so that everyone participates in an outcome.

I like that idea of some scenarios requiring multiple checks and a total number of successes. Thanks...

Sure. An example was I had a very secure vault door that the PCs needed to breach which required 2 Computers checks, a Skulduggery, and a Mechanics check simultaneously. One Slicer had to work the electronic lock. One Slicer had to disable security systems. The Skulduggerer? had to work a manual backup, and the Mechanic had to disable a hydraulics feature.

Love it! Thanks for the advice and a great example.

Sometimes one (usually the one coming up with the idea) when there is no time to discuss on forehand what to do like in combat checks or in social checks or perhaps a boost when the 'helping player' actually plays out his role at the table. I also handle this for knowledge checks about facts or statistics.

Sometimes two when people have the time to have some one else give it a try this would work for mechanics checks or medicine rolls (and only if they didn't do a combined roll first.)

Sometimes all of them for instance to jump across a gap ( the first player across does add a boost die to the others in that case) or for stealth checks.

If the group is investigating as one, then I do a combined check. If they are splitting up, I will allow them to roll individually. I prefer this, because I think the scenes are more interesting when the split up. That's usually done when there is more than one room or set piece to interact with.