Is there any penalty for keeping search mode on? I know you can switch it on and off, but considering how useful it can be, I don't know why you wouldn't keep it on constantly, does anyone know?

Not sure, maybe enemies can spot you easier, but I don't think that is a problem. ;)

The manual says that enemies can surprise you. What this apparently means is that you will have a hard time spotting camouflaged creatures, so they can just walk up to you. Probably they can also sneak up to you from behind, but given that very few enemies are faster than the party's walk speed, it's probably not an issue.

This is just something I read somewhere, I haven't tried myself.

The search mode works in conjunction with Senses - a Ranger has pretty high Senses and a Scouting ability from the commencement of a new game. A high Senses rating allows a character to see enemies earlier (including camouflaged ones) and also to spot hidden items, identify traps etc. From this, I would anticipate that keeping search mode on will not have a penalty as searching has an integral, in game association with Senses and Scouting.

Being able to spot enemies early is very useful at the start of the game when you have left the Monastery and are weak, so if (as I suspect) you find keeping search mode on helps assist with spotting foes more quickly, that can only be good news.

I will admit I do turn search mode off, but that's because as a party develops their Senses tend to be increased (Senses help with achieving critical hits also) and they spot stuff, enemies etc., without it being switched on.

I hope this helps :)

The manual says:

"If your characters are searching, though, they're more like to be surprised by any monsters they encounter, so watch out!"

So search mode should make you *less* likely to spot enemies, not more likely.

Searching gives your Party a rather huge penalty hit on senses outside of combat in theory, so you would run into combats more frequently. But if that is really a curse or actually a boon (level grinding) is up to you to decide. On the other Hand, you'll start the combats on their terms, not yours.

I don't know if it really has an effect on camping, but I felt I got attacked more often while camping when I had the search turned on

Having a Ranger in the party makes that button useless, because he searches all the time without any penalty hit, so best keep searching off if you have a ranger in your party