Author Topic: Detect Magic and higher level spells  (Read 2820 times)

Offline Burpcycle

  • Lurker
  • *
  • Posts: 47
  • I'm new!
    • View Profile
Detect Magic and higher level spells
« on: July 07, 2013, 07:18:43 PM »
Should detect magic detect invisibility, disguise self, nystul's magic aura, and so on? If it shouldn't detect disguise self, should it detect alter self when it's being used for disguises? If it shouldn't detect invisibility, should it detect other stuff up while invisible?

Offline kitep

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 1948
  • Lookout World!
    • View Profile
Re: Detect Magic and higher level spells
« Reply #1 on: July 07, 2013, 07:40:44 PM »
invisibility - yes, kind of
disguise self - yes, but won't reveal the true form, just that the creature is under a spell
nystul's - no, since the purpose of Nystul's is to hide from detect spells.  Nystul's could make it appear to be something else

There are several entries for detect magic in the faq (though I don't agree with the one about casting detect magic can end an invisibility spell)

Offline Mnemnosyne

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • **
  • Posts: 90
    • View Profile
Re: Detect Magic and higher level spells
« Reply #2 on: July 08, 2013, 04:26:50 AM »
By RAW, as far as I can tell, it does detect most of these things, automatically; doesn't detect Nystul's because it specifically obscures the magical aura, but otherwise yes.  I find that far too powerful for a 0-level spell myself, and have a houserule primarily dealing with illusion spells in regards to it:

Detect magic does not automatically reveal illusion auras of spells higher level than it; instead, it grants a saving throw with a +4 bonus to disbelieve the illusion.  Under no circumstances does detect magic reveal a magical aura on an object that the caster cannot see due to invisibility or similar spells, or the aura of the invisibility spell itself.  In order to determine the location of a magical aura, it must remain still for three full rounds of concentration; any movement of 5 feet or more spoils the attempt and requires the caster to begin concentrating once again.

This rule allows it to function to detect illusion auras if it's heightened to the same level as those illusions, but not otherwise.  Because otherwise, most illusions would be relatively useless against anything with detect magic up, to say nothing of arcane sight.  Sure, it doesn't auto-reveal that they're illusions, but if an entire wall is glowing magical with an illusion aura, that's suspicious and needs investigation, which will immediately reveal the truth.
-Do you honestly think that we believe ourselves evil? My friend, we seek only good. It's just that our definitions don't quite match.-
Ailanreanter, Arcanaloth

Offline veekie

  • Spinner of Fortunes
  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 5423
  • Chaos Dice
    • View Profile
Re: Detect Magic and higher level spells
« Reply #3 on: July 08, 2013, 02:34:42 PM »
One important thing to remember, it takes time to see much, and for the most part you're just getting the information that A) there is magic within the area of a certain cone, B) Strongest aura present and quantity of auras C) Strength, space and school.

Against invisibility, it's futile, by the time it narrows down to sufficient resolution to point out the space in question, an invisible creature could have moved on or attacked. Note that it reveals the school of the aura only if they are based on an item or creature, which is in line of sight. Technically if an illusory wall is generated from a mechanism behind it, you can't tell anything about it except that it's magical and how strong the aura is.

It's problematic, yes, but the degree is overstated by far, and practically useless against mobile auras.
Everything is edible. Just that there are things only edible once per lifetime.
It's a god-eat-god world.

Procrastination is the thief of time; Year after year it steals, till all are fled,
And to the mercies of a moment leaves; The vast concerns of an eternal scene.