Listen and Scan question

[Krath]

Question #1: How are Offpeakers suppose to train the Listen skill
if no one is around to overhear?

Question #2: When did the change to Scan and Listen come into play?

Thanks in advance, Krath.

[Marauder Moe]

How are off-peakers supposed to use the listen skill if no one is around to overhear?   

For a semi-twinky answer, though, perhaps find NPCs that randomly say things and hang out nearby.

[Krath]

Moe, Thank you for your answer, however I am not sugar coating what it is. 

[5 day lifespan]

My rangers often use Listen in the wastes from an in character desire to not be sneaked up on.  I think there are beasties that sneak and hide, so...

[Nyr]

Question #2: When did the change to Scan and Listen come into play?

http://www.zalanthas.org/gdb/index.php/topic,32920.0.html

Listen and scan have been changed to drop when you enter melee combat with someone.  This is due to you being unable to concentrate on things such as whispers, overheard conversations, and subtle shadows and changes in light that is required by these skills, and instead concentrate on fighting.

Additionally, changes have been made to paralysis and magical sleep in regards to fighting.

If you are under the affect of a magical sleep, you will wake up and be able to fight, however you will have a penalty to your maximum stun applied.

If you are under the affect of a paralysis affect (mundane or magical) you will have a chance to break out of it, but you will be slowed down based on the original affect.

Additionally, the overall duration of both sleep and paralyze affects have been reduced for playability reasons.

[FantasyWriter]

My rangers often use Listen in the wastes from an in character desire to not be sneaked up on.  I think there are beasties that sneak and hide, so...

95% of my PCs have been independent rangers who wonder in the wild.  I've never picked up any successful listen returns in the wild.
Could just be me or being in the wrong place, though.

[spawnloser]

There are ways to fail at these skills without people being around.

[Nyr]

If a tree falls in the Grey Forest and you fail your listen check, it still makes a sound.

[FantasyWriter]

If a tree falls in the Grey Forest and you fail your listen check, it still makes a sound.

Haha! +2 nyr

[RogueGunslinger]

There are ways to fail at these skills without people being around.

Are these way something you need to look for, or something that will be going on passively while you're going about your business in the wilds/whatever with listen on?

[spawnloser]

There are ways to fail at these skills without people being around.

Are these way something you need to look for, or something that will be going on passively while you're going about your business in the wilds/whatever with listen on?

No.  It is something very simple and basic.

[Synthesis]

Skill Listen                                                   (Perception)

   While appearing to do little at all, effective use of this skill in fact
begins a time period during which conversations in other rooms may be
heard. Conversations at tables can be overheard, and if the skill level is
great enough, doors can be listened through.

Syntax:
   listen [on|off|status]

Note:
   Listen has some effect on the detection of stealthy activities that can
make noise.

   Listening takes concentration, and so while in use your maximum stun is
decreased based on how good you are at listening.


FAQ 9                                                              (Newbie)

How do I learn skills?
----------------------
   In almost every instance, skills and spells are learned by practice. If
your character has some basic knowledge of a skill or spell (i.e., if it
appears in your 'skills' list), then it will improve by doing it over and
over again. When you fail in an attempt to use a skill or spell, there is a
chance it will improve.

Let's put 2 and 2 together here.