Author Topic: 3.5 invisibility  (Read 2799 times)

Offline Rikimaru

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3.5 invisibility
« on: August 20, 2014, 02:56:52 AM »
Does scent negate the invisibility bonuses if your right next to them? :twitch
Stalking my prey, silently I hide. Prey: Why are you whispering to yourself. Me: Crap, I rolled low on my hide and move silent checks. Act normal. Hello citizen :)"Just smile till he leaves"

Offline SolEiji

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Re: 3.5 invisibility
« Reply #1 on: August 20, 2014, 03:07:13 AM »
Not negate, they still have concealment and thus 50% miss.  But they do know exactly what square you are in.
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Offline linklord231

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Re: 3.5 invisibility
« Reply #2 on: August 22, 2014, 01:51:34 AM »
Note that it's a move action to sense the direction of a creature, which includes pinpointing them if they're within 5'. 
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Offline faeryn

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Re: 3.5 invisibility
« Reply #3 on: August 29, 2014, 07:45:31 PM »
Note that it's a move action to sense the direction of a creature, which includes pinpointing them if they're within 5'.

I don't believe that's quite right...

Yes it takes a move action to sense the direction, but pinpointing their location does not take an action, it is automatic when they are within 5'.

Think of it this way, if your in a room with a strong scent coming from across the room it takes you a moment to determine what direction the scent is coming from. However, if you are standing right next to it on the other hand you instinctively know where the scent is coming from. The scent ability functions the same way. When it's at a distance you have to act to identify a direction, but when it's next to you you know where it is instinctively.

Offline linklord231

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Re: 3.5 invisibility
« Reply #4 on: August 29, 2014, 11:57:48 PM »
Note that it's a move action to sense the direction of a creature, which includes pinpointing them if they're within 5'.

I don't believe that's quite right...

Yes it takes a move action to sense the direction, but pinpointing their location does not take an action, it is automatic when they are within 5'.

Think of it this way, if your in a room with a strong scent coming from across the room it takes you a moment to determine what direction the scent is coming from. However, if you are standing right next to it on the other hand you instinctively know where the scent is coming from. The scent ability functions the same way. When it's at a distance you have to act to identify a direction, but when it's next to you you know where it is instinctively.

I see no reason to believe that pinpointing the location would be a non-action, when sensing direction is an action. 
Quote
A creature that has scent detects another creature’s presence but not its specific location. Noting the direction of the scent is a move action. If a creature with scent moves within 5 feet of a scent’s source, the creature can pinpoint that source.

Note that it says "can pinpoint the source", not "pinpoints the source".  It gives you the ability to pinpoint, but does not do so automatically. 
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Offline faeryn

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Re: 3.5 invisibility
« Reply #5 on: August 30, 2014, 12:29:22 AM »
I see no reason to believe that pinpointing the location would be a non-action, when sensing direction is an action. 
Quote
A creature that has scent detects another creature’s presence but not its specific location. Noting the direction of the scent is a move action. If a creature with scent moves within 5 feet of a scent’s source, the creature can pinpoint that source.

Note that it says "can pinpoint the source", not "pinpoints the source".  It gives you the ability to pinpoint, but does not do so automatically.

The same wording is what leads me to believe that it does not take a move action to pinpoint location once they are within 5'. I guess this one really would come down to the DMs call. I can honestly see where your coming from but it has been my understanding and the understanding of every DM I've played with that Scent automatically pinpoints location within 5'. We could be wrong though, I won't deny the possibility.

I've seen it said a couple times before on various sites, heck it was even eluded to in one of the source books in a side bar, that the rules are left vague to encourage interpretation and flexibility. (I think it was in Unearthed Arcana)