Hide and Detect spells [Archive] - Wizards Community

Hide and Detect spells [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Meat_Shield
09-19-07, 12:59 AM Can a hidden character be detected by a detect spell, IE detect the magic or arcane sight aura's on that chatacter's items via detect magic or do they need to make a spot check vs that creatures hide check?
Colmarr
09-19-07, 02:26 AM A Detect spell will automatically reveal whatever it is designed to reveal unless the specific spell entry says others (usually involving thick barriers, lead, or similar requirements).

Whether that effect equates to locating the hidden character is a separate question.

Using detect magic for 3 rounds might reveal the presences of 5 different magic auras of varying intensities all in the same 5-ft square. It's then up to the spellcaster to figure out whether the source of those auras is the BBEG or his invisible treasure chest.

Other spells, such as Detect Undead, will automatically reveal the "location" of a creature, but it's a matter for the DM as to exactly what that word means.

Ultimately it comes down to what an aura looks like. If it's a creature-shaped glowing figure visible to the caster then yes, the creature is revealed regardless of its hide check and can be attacked (etc) as normal by the caster.

If the DM on the other hand rules that the spell only reveals the square that the creature is in, then it is possible for the caster to know where the creature is hidden but still be unable to detect it.

Personally I favour the second interpretation ("location" = 5-ft square) but it's a matter for each DM.
BattleaxeField
09-19-07, 08:23 AM Detect magic only works as long as you maintain concentration, and it takes 3 rounds to find the location in a 60ft cone-shaped area, so if I were your DM, I would let you have a precise location. However, since you have to break concentration to take any standard actions, you'd only be able to attack into the square you think it's in, but perhaps with a circumstance bonus.

It might work better if you used it to direct your teammates, giving them a circumstance bonus on their spot checks and attacks.
Thomar_of_Uointer
09-19-07, 09:06 AM Detect magic only works as long as you maintain concentration, and it takes 3 rounds to find the location in a 60ft cone-shaped area, so if I were your DM, I would let you have a precise location. However, since you have to break concentration to take any standard actions, you'd only be able to attack into the square you think it's in, but perhaps with a circumstance bonus.

It might work better if you used it to direct your teammates, giving them a circumstance bonus on their spot checks and attacks.

Yup. A concentrating spellcaster looking around is a sign for any stealthy individual to get moving, since he has about 18 seconds before his cover is totally blown. It goes like this:

Round 1: Presence of magical auras.
Round 2: 0 magical auras in the area because the hiding person just moved away.
Round 3: No auras pinpointed because there aren't any there now and the stealthy character has found a new hiding spot.

An enterprising stealthy character may leave a +1 backup weapon or potion where he was just to avoid suspicion.

Now, in the case of arcane sight, it's a bit different. It requires line of sight, which means a character with total cover won't be detected. Of course, having total cover he won't be needing to make Hide checks either.

However, both of these methods are foiled by nystul's magic aura. It's low-level, long-lasting, and difficult to circumvent. Simple solution to a simple problem, right?
Lootus
09-19-07, 07:37 PM What if the target is using stone or a mound of dirt to hide behind? (but not total cover)

The spell can penetrate barriers, but 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, a thin sheet of lead, or 3 feet of wood or dirt blocks it.
Thomar_of_Uointer
09-19-07, 09:04 PM What if the target is using stone or a mound of dirt to hide behind? (but not total cover)

Eeeh. That's a poorly defined hedge case, I'd say it's up to the DM. Depending on what's poking out (probably just the head), some magic item slots will be hidden and some won't.
Colmarr
09-20-07, 12:13 AM Agreed.

The spell would detect objects that weren't blocked by the barrier, but not those that are.

In the case of something like Detect Undead, unless the creature had total cover from a suitable barrier it would be detected.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Meat_Shield 09-19-07, 12:59 AM	Can a hidden character be detected by a detect spell, IE detect the magic or arcane sight aura's on that chatacter's items via detect magic or do they need to make a spot check vs that creatures hide check?
Colmarr 09-19-07, 02:26 AM	A Detect spell will automatically reveal whatever it is designed to reveal unless the specific spell entry says others (usually involving thick barriers, lead, or similar requirements). Whether that effect equates to locating the hidden character is a separate question. Using detect magic for 3 rounds might reveal the presences of 5 different magic auras of varying intensities all in the same 5-ft square. It's then up to the spellcaster to figure out whether the source of those auras is the BBEG or his invisible treasure chest. Other spells, such as Detect Undead, will automatically reveal the "location" of a creature, but it's a matter for the DM as to exactly what that word means. Ultimately it comes down to what an aura looks like. If it's a creature-shaped glowing figure visible to the caster then yes, the creature is revealed regardless of its hide check and can be attacked (etc) as normal by the caster. If the DM on the other hand rules that the spell only reveals the square that the creature is in, then it is possible for the caster to know where the creature is hidden but still be unable to detect it. Personally I favour the second interpretation ("location" = 5-ft square) but it's a matter for each DM.
BattleaxeField 09-19-07, 08:23 AM	Detect magic only works as long as you maintain concentration, and it takes 3 rounds to find the location in a 60ft cone-shaped area, so if I were your DM, I would let you have a precise location. However, since you have to break concentration to take any standard actions, you'd only be able to attack into the square you think it's in, but perhaps with a circumstance bonus. It might work better if you used it to direct your teammates, giving them a circumstance bonus on their spot checks and attacks.
Thomar_of_Uointer 09-19-07, 09:06 AM	Detect magic only works as long as you maintain concentration, and it takes 3 rounds to find the location in a 60ft cone-shaped area, so if I were your DM, I would let you have a precise location. However, since you have to break concentration to take any standard actions, you'd only be able to attack into the square you think it's in, but perhaps with a circumstance bonus. It might work better if you used it to direct your teammates, giving them a circumstance bonus on their spot checks and attacks. Yup. A concentrating spellcaster looking around is a sign for any stealthy individual to get moving, since he has about 18 seconds before his cover is totally blown. It goes like this: Round 1: Presence of magical auras. Round 2: 0 magical auras in the area because the hiding person just moved away. Round 3: No auras pinpointed because there aren't any there now and the stealthy character has found a new hiding spot. An enterprising stealthy character may leave a +1 backup weapon or potion where he was just to avoid suspicion. Now, in the case of arcane sight, it's a bit different. It requires line of sight, which means a character with total cover won't be detected. Of course, having total cover he won't be needing to make Hide checks either. However, both of these methods are foiled by nystul's magic aura. It's low-level, long-lasting, and difficult to circumvent. Simple solution to a simple problem, right?
Lootus 09-19-07, 07:37 PM	What if the target is using stone or a mound of dirt to hide behind? (but not total cover) The spell can penetrate barriers, but 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, a thin sheet of lead, or 3 feet of wood or dirt blocks it.
Thomar_of_Uointer 09-19-07, 09:04 PM	What if the target is using stone or a mound of dirt to hide behind? (but not total cover) Eeeh. That's a poorly defined hedge case, I'd say it's up to the DM. Depending on what's poking out (probably just the head), some magic item slots will be hidden and some won't.
Colmarr 09-20-07, 12:13 AM	Agreed. The spell would detect objects that weren't blocked by the barrier, but not those that are. In the case of something like Detect Undead, unless the creature had total cover from a suitable barrier it would be detected.