This is why my group takes the median result on a group check. That 20 should be able to make up for the 1, and the final result is a 17 (rounding down).

This is also sorta how RAW works (in DnD 5e), to quote the PHB:

Group Checks
When a number of individuals are trying to accomplish something as a group, the DM might ask for a group ability check. In such a situation, the characters who are skilled at a particular task help cover those who aren’t.
To make a group ability check, everyone in the group makes the ability check. If at least half the group succeeds, the whole group succeeds. Otherwise, the group fails.

Taking the median roughly has the same effect, it only has a chance to differ if the number of successes and the number of failures are tied.

That or just count the passes vs the fails. I think of it like the 1 was just about to step on something noisy, or round a corner without taking a peek just as a guard walks by, but the 20 grabs them by the collar and pulls the back in the nick of time

But also the one guy in full plate tripping or having something happen could be hilarious.

Think about the following situation: You approach the guard tower stealthily. They are on watch so the DC is 15. Your party of 5 rolls a 13, two 14s, a 19 and a 24. Does the group make the check? What about a 2, a 3, two 15s and a 16? Which party is stealthier?

Follow the Leader in PF2 solves this gracefully as well

Oh, sure, if there’s something extra that makes sense to give them for a really good set of rolls then the former party is much more deserving of it. If it’s just a pass/fail “they saw you or they didn’t” deal then it doesn’t matter

It’s not his fault they had the mahna mahna song playing. You just HAVE to sing it out loud!

I got +18 to stealth. Of course, I also have a GM who is physically incapable of rolling below a nat 18 for hostile NPCs.

A natural 18 would, without any bonuses, not clear your stealth even if you rolled a nat 1. If you rolled even a 10 that would give them a 28DC perception check to see you.

Just hold perfectly still and pretend to be an empty suit of decorative armor.

You realise enemies do also have bonuses right.

I do, and even indicated that, but a +18 is fucking wild. How high are these bonuses? Not saying it isn’t possible it’s just that your story loses some impact without details is all.

18 is wild, so I would assume 16 or 18 wis guards proficient in perception, by level 17 would get +10 without any other kind of modifiers.

If they are rogue guards with 14 wisdom they get to +10 by level 4 with expertise. Again, if the DM is handling stuff to get them get to +18 I’d assume he can make guards get +10 too.

Absolutely. I’m that Nat one Player

I meant 18 on the die plus the NPC’s perception bonus.

Could be something other than D&D. +18 is pretty easily achievable in mid-level Pathfinder 2e.

The 2024 rules specifically clarify that stealth is not typically a suitable skill to be rolled in such a way.