Blink and See Invisibility [Archive] - Wizards Community

Blink and See Invisibility [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
fatal error
02-11-07, 12:10 PM I don't understand why being able to see the ethereal character reduces the miss chance to 20%. When you're blinking you're either Material or Ethereal, there is no time in which you are invisible but Material, right? So, why would being able to see your opponent who is ethereal reduce the miss chance to a mere 20%? Obviously this isn't somehow including the ability to strike ethereal creatures with magic weapons, since it doesn't say you need a magic weapon (magic, not ghost touch) to reduce the miss chance while using See Invisible.
CantripN
02-11-07, 12:19 PM While ethereal, you are invisible. That's why a Blinking person strikes as though he was invisible. The spell is very poorly written, but it's a classic. If you can't see where the guy is right now, you won't be able to follow him very well while he IS visible, right?

EDIT: Or did you think that See Invisibility only shows you Invisible things? It shows you the Ethereal plane, as well...
Seeker95
02-11-07, 02:18 PM Cantrip, he means, "why is the miss chance still 20%".
He thinks it should be 0% if you can see on the ethereal plane.

Think of it this way. If you can see in the dark, and you can see in the light, but someone keeps turning the light on and off in rapid succession, how clear will you be able to see things as your eyes adjust back and forth?

That you can see ethereal is why the miss chance is less than 50%.
That the target is shifting back and forth is why you still suffer 20%.
CantripN
02-11-07, 02:35 PM That's not why. It's because your weapon can't harm Ethereal targets.

Bah.. Nevermind, Seeker. It's an annoying spell...
SunTzuWarmaster
02-11-07, 06:52 PM I always thought that it was kind of like a dodge bonus... You move quickly through 2 planes, 50% miss chance. If they can see both planes at the same time you are still moving quickly.
Moribund
02-11-07, 07:33 PM If you can see someone while they are ethereal, it is much easier to anticipate them for when they become material. If you can't see them then you have only the time they are material to react to them.

It is much harder to hit someone who suddenly appears behind you and disappears after a second than someone who you see walking around you but only becomes material for a second (because you are still able to distinguish between ethereal and material).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
fatal error 02-11-07, 12:10 PM	I don't understand why being able to see the ethereal character reduces the miss chance to 20%. When you're blinking you're either Material or Ethereal, there is no time in which you are invisible but Material, right? So, why would being able to see your opponent who is ethereal reduce the miss chance to a mere 20%? Obviously this isn't somehow including the ability to strike ethereal creatures with magic weapons, since it doesn't say you need a magic weapon (magic, not ghost touch) to reduce the miss chance while using See Invisible.
CantripN 02-11-07, 12:19 PM	While ethereal, you are invisible. That's why a Blinking person strikes as though he was invisible. The spell is very poorly written, but it's a classic. If you can't see where the guy is right now, you won't be able to follow him very well while he IS visible, right? EDIT: Or did you think that See Invisibility only shows you Invisible things? It shows you the Ethereal plane, as well...
Seeker95 02-11-07, 02:18 PM	Cantrip, he means, "why is the miss chance still 20%". He thinks it should be 0% if you can see on the ethereal plane. Think of it this way. If you can see in the dark, and you can see in the light, but someone keeps turning the light on and off in rapid succession, how clear will you be able to see things as your eyes adjust back and forth? That you can see ethereal is why the miss chance is less than 50%. That the target is shifting back and forth is why you still suffer 20%.
CantripN 02-11-07, 02:35 PM	That's not why. It's because your weapon can't harm Ethereal targets. Bah.. Nevermind, Seeker. It's an annoying spell...
SunTzuWarmaster 02-11-07, 06:52 PM	I always thought that it was kind of like a dodge bonus... You move quickly through 2 planes, 50% miss chance. If they can see both planes at the same time you are still moving quickly.
Moribund 02-11-07, 07:33 PM	If you can see someone while they are ethereal, it is much easier to anticipate them for when they become material. If you can't see them then you have only the time they are material to react to them. It is much harder to hit someone who suddenly appears behind you and disappears after a second than someone who you see walking around you but only becomes material for a second (because you are still able to distinguish between ethereal and material).