Perception

Perception represents a character's ability to perceive the world in minute detail and is one of the most broadly useful skills in Elanthia.

Perception factors into a myriad of diverse skill checks. It is the only component for many searching activities required for travelling and hunting, which can be considered as fundamental as basic requirements like climbing and swimming. Searching skill is also required for some bounties assigned by the Adventurer's Guild for heirlooms. It's the only way to improve one's chances to counteract Stalking and Hiding skills, including noticing rangers sneaking. Perception is an important component to observe or protect against pickpocketing. The skill is quite important for foraging herbs. It factors into Ranged Weapons attack strength and the chance to hit an aimed target with a ranged weapon. It is necessary for finding traps laid by bandits. Anyone popping boxes or disarming traps will have plenty of use for the skill. It is a factor in dodging Creature maneuvers. Even illusions of the Sorcerer Guild are much simpler to create with better skill in perception.

All told, almost any character can gain a very reasonable benefit by training this skill.

Perception also plays a part in searching Magru, Minor glacei, and Major glacei.

Ranks and Training Costs

Type	Square			Semi			Pure
Profession	Rogue	Warrior	Monk	Bard	Paladin	Ranger	Cleric	Empath	Savant	Sorcerer	Wizard
Max Ranks Per Level	3	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	-	2	2
Training Point Cost	0/1	0/3	0/2	0/3	0/3	0/2	0/3	0/3	-	0/3	0/3

Resources

http://www.play.net/gs4/info/skills.asp