Detecting scarabs

[Pyper]

I have a level 7 rogue who has 2x disarm, pick, and perception. (Thats 16 ranks of each.) She can pick just about anything her level at the moment and disarm, too, with one exception- scarabs!

Every time she gets a box with a scarab, she fails to see it when disarming. So then she picks it and boom, dead. What am I doing wrong? Do I need to DETECT instead of DISARM? Does she just not have enough ranks to see scarabs yet? How many ranks does she need? (She has 4 ranks of Arcane Symbols, but from what I understand, that helps with disarming the scarab, not seeing it in the first place.)

[Bobmuhthol]

You're going to blow against scarabs until at least level 20.

[AestheticDeath]

Ditto.. not sure why. But it takes alot of perception and disarm to find scarabs. I think someone said its 30 ranks, possibly 40. But dont quote me on that.

[fallenSaint]

Yea as lame as it sounds its best to just avoid picking til your 20-ish so you can avoid those lil bugs.

[The Ponzzz]

Shit, at level 43 I still die to scarabs.

[Gan]

I wouldnt even bother picking at all until I was 20 or better. Not only is it dangerous for you, but for the ones you pick around as well. Not to mention it can be hell on your pocketbook paying the fines for blown traps.

[AestheticDeath]

Shit, at level 43 I still die to scarabs.

Your kidding? Do you actually train in disarming traps?

[The Ponzzz]

completely 3xed with 404 and 3 ranks of arcane symbols. I don't even bother with onyx, opal or blood ones anymore, just got killed 3 days ago. -170 blood one. So I just gave up trying.

[AestheticDeath]

Ah its the scrolls thats getting you, you seriously need 10 ranks of scroll reading at least. I would recommend like 20-30.

My rogue is only 28 or so right now, he has 10 scroll ranks, and doesn't seem to have trouble with scarabs anymore.
I think I still get the messages that say I am 'pretty sure'. 20-30 ranks should give you the scritch scritch, being easy as pie or whatever.

Also I only have 50 ranks in pick/disarm, with 29 dex bonus.

[Krinthalis]

I singled scroll reading and doubled disarm and started getting scritch scritch at 19 (so 21 ranks AS 42 ranks disarm). Even just 2x disarm and 2x perception, I didn't have much trouble seeing scarabs for creatures around my level by around the low teens. After 15 or so I never failed to see them on the first disarm attempt (I disarm each box 3 times before I pick). Maybe the AS plays a really big role?

[AestheticDeath]

I singled scroll reading and doubled disarm and started getting scritch scritch at 19 (so 21 ranks AS 42 ranks disarm). Even just 2x disarm and 2x perception, I didn't have much trouble seeing scarabs for creatures around my level by around the low teens. After 15 or so I never failed to see them on the first disarm attempt (I disarm each box 3 times before I pick). Maybe the AS plays a really big role?

Holy shit @ 3x disarm attempts!

And yeah scrolls play a huge roll in scarabs.

[Gan]

Although, in the past I've argued for less ranks in AS needed for successful scarab attempts, I've come to understand that eventually that is offset somewhat with ranks/skill in disarming.

I would recommend 10-15 ranks in Arcane Symbols in order to quit stalking Lorminstra when you come across a scarab.

Keep in mind, I still think you shouldnt be picking until you get to lvl 20, unless you just like the punishment.

[The Ponzzz]

So even 135 ranks of disarm with 404(self cast) up a scarabs getting me? Eesh! I don't have the points to do 10 ranks of A.S.

[jpatter123]

Your kidding? Do you actually train in disarming traps?

actually the only traps I have ever failed to see were scarabs. I can now disarm up to -425 and doubled in perception at level 77. Twice in the last 4 months I have failed to see a scarab. I have gone back to the disarm twice on all my boxes just to be sure.

[jpatter123]

So even 135 ranks of disarm with 404(self cast) up a scarabs getting me? Eesh! I don't have the points to do 10 ranks of A.S.

better start getting them now your gonna need those ranks down the road for spell burst areas. I didn't have any ranks in AS tell well passed 60 and never had a problem disarming scarabs. But I also didn't always get the scritch scritch messaging either.

[TheEschaton]

Holy shit @ 3x disarm attempts!

And yeah scrolls play a huge roll in scarabs.

This used to be pretty standard (and two disarms was almost a guarantee) back in the day when we walked uphill both ways in the snow, and people sat to actually talk to their locksmiths.

-TheE-

[Krinthalis]

This used to be pretty standard (and two disarms was almost a guarantee) back in the day when we walked uphill both ways in the snow, and people sat to actually talk to their locksmiths.

-TheE-

Yeah, last time I played a rogue (before the one I'm on now) was in the late 90's. I actually had no idea not everyone did that... Whats the standard now? Just one?

If its not obvious I only pick for my friends... they never seemed to complain.

[AestheticDeath]

I was around back in 2000, and I never did more then once per disarm. I still don't. Unless of course I knew the box was over my head, or it was a mystery box.

Anything like level gets a once over. I've never missed doing that.

[Krinthalis]

Interesting. I wonder when the 3x disarm fell out of favor. Anyway, back to the subject, maybe thats why some people are saying wait till 20 to start picking? I was definitely finding traps on the second or third try that I missed at first when I was picking like level in the mid teens. If I were you, I would feel fine picking like level at like ~13, but I'd be checking each box two or three times for trap. If you've got say (pulling a number out of my ass) a 30 percent chance of missing a trap on one try, you've got less than a 3 percent chance of missing it after three tries, so it really makes a big difference.

[Pyper]

Thanks for the informative replies, all.

I've never missed a trap (disarming only once) except for scarabs. At your advice, I'll avoid picking until I'm older or unless I'm the only one in town. (I live in River's Rest, so it happens...)

[Gan]

Whats really nice is being able to sell my disarmed scarabs now for close to 6k each.

Especially since I keep all scarabs except for when I pick for close friends.