Targeting Invisibility with Magic Missile [Archive] - Wizards Community

Targeting Invisibility with Magic Missile [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Malcaor
03-25-08, 04:59 PM How would one target an invisible foe with magic missile? Do they need to guess the square the enemy is in, or is it an automatic hit?
heffroncm
03-25-08, 05:28 PM Being Invisible grants you Total Concealment from anyone that can't see you in some other manner (See Invisible, Blindsense, etc). Total Concealment causes Magic Missiles to miss as normal (50%), per the spell description.

To target an Invisible creature, you have to guess what square they are in. Also in the PHB.
Renown0
03-25-08, 05:37 PM Well, if I knew something in the area was invisible, I'd just start firing missiles in all directions. Odds are, if you fired straight ahead, behind you, to the right, left, and all the 45 degree angles, you'd hit something.
heffroncm
03-25-08, 06:02 PM Rules don't work that way though. You have to pick a specific square to target. Burning Hands, on the other hand, is excellent vs. Invisibility.
Malcaor
03-25-08, 06:49 PM Ah, I had not thought of burning hands, that should work for the situation.
Merestil Haye
03-25-08, 08:18 PM You cannot target an invisible creature with a Magic Missile.

In order to affect a creature with a targeted spell (that is, one with a "Target" entry in the spell header) you have to be able to see the target or, in the case of a touch range spell) touch them.

Magic Missile is a targeted spell (as distinct from an aimed spell that produces an effect, like (say) Disintegrate).
Suspect_Unusual
03-31-08, 02:30 PM You cannot target an invisible creature with a Magic Missile.

In order to affect a creature with a targeted spell (that is, one with a "Target" entry in the spell header) you have to be able to see the target or, in the case of a touch range spell) touch them.

Magic Missile is a targeted spell (as distinct from an aimed spell that produces an effect, like (say) Disintegrate).

I was wondering when someone was going to supply the right answer.

Just so we're clear, here's the rule text supporting Merestil's statements:

Target or Targets
Some spells have a target or targets. You cast these spells on creatures or objects, as defined by the spell itself. You must be able to see or touch the target, and you must specifically choose that target.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Malcaor 03-25-08, 04:59 PM	How would one target an invisible foe with magic missile? Do they need to guess the square the enemy is in, or is it an automatic hit?
heffroncm 03-25-08, 05:28 PM	Being Invisible grants you Total Concealment from anyone that can't see you in some other manner (See Invisible, Blindsense, etc). Total Concealment causes Magic Missiles to miss as normal (50%), per the spell description. To target an Invisible creature, you have to guess what square they are in. Also in the PHB.
Renown0 03-25-08, 05:37 PM	Well, if I knew something in the area was invisible, I'd just start firing missiles in all directions. Odds are, if you fired straight ahead, behind you, to the right, left, and all the 45 degree angles, you'd hit something.
heffroncm 03-25-08, 06:02 PM	Rules don't work that way though. You have to pick a specific square to target. Burning Hands, on the other hand, is excellent vs. Invisibility.
Malcaor 03-25-08, 06:49 PM	Ah, I had not thought of burning hands, that should work for the situation.
Merestil Haye 03-25-08, 08:18 PM	You cannot target an invisible creature with a Magic Missile. In order to affect a creature with a targeted spell (that is, one with a "Target" entry in the spell header) you have to be able to see the target or, in the case of a touch range spell) touch them. Magic Missile is a targeted spell (as distinct from an aimed spell that produces an effect, like (say) Disintegrate).
Suspect_Unusual 03-31-08, 02:30 PM	You cannot target an invisible creature with a Magic Missile. In order to affect a creature with a targeted spell (that is, one with a "Target" entry in the spell header) you have to be able to see the target or, in the case of a touch range spell) touch them. Magic Missile is a targeted spell (as distinct from an aimed spell that produces an effect, like (say) Disintegrate). I was wondering when someone was going to supply the right answer. Just so we're clear, here's the rule text supporting Merestil's statements: Target or Targets Some spells have a target or targets. You cast these spells on creatures or objects, as defined by the spell itself. You must be able to see or touch the target, and you must specifically choose that target.