Arcane Sight versus Darkness, et al [Archive] - Wizards Community

Arcane Sight versus Darkness, et al [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
nerf_ninja
01-24-04, 03:31 PM Can anyone post an official ruling on this? Unfortunately, the text for the wiz 3 spell Arcane Sight is not exactly clear. Does Arcane Sight allow you to detect magic auras within a Darkness spell, for instance? Or can you only sense auras within your normal sight?

I don't believe you need line of sight for spells like Detect Magic. Consequently I don't think you need it for this one either. On the other hand, the spell is named Arcane *Sight*.

Thanks,
NN
tonkounakaki
01-24-04, 05:46 PM You need line of effect, which is different from line of sight.
Arcane sight gives you a double vision type of sight, one based off of light, the other (kind of like heat-vision) based off of magic. The two overlap, but are not Co-Dependant.

As for Detect magic not needing line of sight, this is correct, however you do need line of effect.
A brick wall stops both line of sight, and line of effect
A darkness spell only stops Line of sight (and not always)
nerf_ninja
02-02-04, 09:33 PM Thanks for the reply. If in fact you only need line of effect, then that pretty clearly means vision is moot (if you can identify the "heat signature" showing up on your scope).

Can anyone cite the requirement being line of effect, when the spell is not an area spell? For Arcane Sight, its target is You, range Personal. For Detect Magic, its area is Cone emanation, range 60'.

I think because AS's target is You, this limits the spell. I believe to work as Detect Magic, it should have its range and area changed accordingly.

Hrm.

-NN
mbfu3k
02-02-04, 10:02 PM Originally posted by tonkounakaki
As for Detect magic not needing line of sight, this is correct, however you do need line of effect.
A brick wall stops both line of sight, and line of effect
A darkness spell only stops Line of sight (and not always)

Actually, you don't exactly need LoE for Detect Magic.

From the SRD:
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.

Presumably, Arcane Sight works the same way. Regardless, neither would be blocked by Darkness.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
nerf_ninja 01-24-04, 03:31 PM	Can anyone post an official ruling on this? Unfortunately, the text for the wiz 3 spell Arcane Sight is not exactly clear. Does Arcane Sight allow you to detect magic auras within a Darkness spell, for instance? Or can you only sense auras within your normal sight? I don't believe you need line of sight for spells like Detect Magic. Consequently I don't think you need it for this one either. On the other hand, the spell is named Arcane Sight. Thanks, NN
tonkounakaki 01-24-04, 05:46 PM	You need line of effect, which is different from line of sight. Arcane sight gives you a double vision type of sight, one based off of light, the other (kind of like heat-vision) based off of magic. The two overlap, but are not Co-Dependant. As for Detect magic not needing line of sight, this is correct, however you do need line of effect. A brick wall stops both line of sight, and line of effect A darkness spell only stops Line of sight (and not always)
nerf_ninja 02-02-04, 09:33 PM	Thanks for the reply. If in fact you only need line of effect, then that pretty clearly means vision is moot (if you can identify the "heat signature" showing up on your scope). Can anyone cite the requirement being line of effect, when the spell is not an area spell? For Arcane Sight, its target is You, range Personal. For Detect Magic, its area is Cone emanation, range 60'. I think because AS's target is You, this limits the spell. I believe to work as Detect Magic, it should have its range and area changed accordingly. Hrm. -NN
mbfu3k 02-02-04, 10:02 PM	Originally posted by tonkounakaki As for Detect magic not needing line of sight, this is correct, however you do need line of effect. A brick wall stops both line of sight, and line of effect A darkness spell only stops Line of sight (and not always) Actually, you don't exactly need LoE for Detect Magic. From the SRD: 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. Presumably, Arcane Sight works the same way. Regardless, neither would be blocked by Darkness.