can arcane sight penetrate? [Archive] - Wizards Community

can arcane sight penetrate? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Greowhiste
04-20-05, 02:13 AM 1. arcane sight only says it is "similar" to detect magic. it is common for spell listings to use the "this spell functions like xxx except for..." but arcane sight does not use that wording.
2. no where in the spell description does it list any of the typical solids that some detection spells cannot penetrate. note: the most common lineup is 3 feet of wood or dirt, 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of metal and a thin sheet of lead though some detection spells only mention some or one of those (locate object notes that only a thin sheet of lead blocks its divination).
3. first it says you know the location and power of all magical auras within your sight. then it says "if the items or creatures bearing the auras are in line of sight you can make a spellcraft check..." Then it says "if you concentrate on a specific creature within 120 feet of you..." mentioning nothing about those creatures needing to be within your line of sight.

my question is: does arcane sight allow you to see magical auras through solid substances? if so, only those mentioned in the detect magic spell?

it is my opinion that a 3rd level spell should have some amount of power that a 0 level doesn't in this respect (i understand it has greater abilities such as no concentration and instant detection of power and number of auras, etc, i'm just saying that an equivalent spell such as clairaudience sets a standard for divination spells at this level to penetrate barriers).

thanks for any help you guys can offer.
dantedarkstar
04-20-05, 08:15 AM I think that Arcane Sight allows to see magical auras only in your sight. Meaning, that it cannot even pierce 1 mm of wood, that Detect Magic can.
Edit: It's Arcane SIGHT after all.

It's still far more powerful, because you don't need any concentration to detect magic. While Clairvoyance can allow you to see on the other side of the wall, it doesn't allow you to see through.
The only item/spell that allow you to see THROUGH solids is Ring of X-Ray Vision, and of course in limited fashion Detect spells.

I do not think Arcane Sight needs any extra power beyond what it has. It's still very valuable 3rd level spell, especially on higher levels, when 3rd level slot isn't much of a deal, while seeing magic is.
Seeker95
04-20-05, 08:34 AM Arcane sight is just that -- sight.
It requires line of sight.
With the exception of x-ray vision, clairvoyance and scrying, sight effects do not go through anything.
Greowhiste
04-20-05, 11:55 AM Do you think you would be able to detect magical auras behind an illusory door?

You would be able to detect magical auras if it is simply in the dark though right? Even if I cannot "see" it, it is within line of sight of me and nothing is blocking it...right?
dantedarkstar
04-21-05, 06:47 AM Do you think you would be able to detect magical auras behind an illusory door?
I think only if you disbelieve the illusion. Otherwise you see the door, not what's behind. But you'll see the magical aura on the door obviously, so you may be well motivated to investigate, especially if the aura is Illusion school.

You would be able to detect magical auras if it is simply in the dark though right? Even if I cannot "see" it, it is within line of sight of me and nothing is blocking it...right?
Hmm... hard to say.
Since nothing obscures your line of sight, you should see the aura, if we assume the aura is "glowing" (what would be quite logical assumption). Of course the aura isn't very precisely located, so I think you would only pinpoint the square where the item/creature with magic is.
BUT
Giving the spell benefits of limited darkvision could make it a bit too strong. Not sure though.
Seeker95
04-21-05, 09:47 AM Do you think you would be able to detect magical auras behind an illusory door?Detect? Yes.
See that you detected it? No.You would be able to detect magical auras if it is simply in the dark though right? Even if I cannot "see" it, it is within line of sight of me and nothing is blocking it...right?Again, while you may be able to succeed at the detection, you cannot see the aura without line of sight. Darkness (not the spell -- rather, the absence of light) blocks line of sight.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Greowhiste 04-20-05, 02:13 AM	1. arcane sight only says it is "similar" to detect magic. it is common for spell listings to use the "this spell functions like xxx except for..." but arcane sight does not use that wording. 2. no where in the spell description does it list any of the typical solids that some detection spells cannot penetrate. note: the most common lineup is 3 feet of wood or dirt, 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of metal and a thin sheet of lead though some detection spells only mention some or one of those (locate object notes that only a thin sheet of lead blocks its divination). 3. first it says you know the location and power of all magical auras within your sight. then it says "if the items or creatures bearing the auras are in line of sight you can make a spellcraft check..." Then it says "if you concentrate on a specific creature within 120 feet of you..." mentioning nothing about those creatures needing to be within your line of sight. my question is: does arcane sight allow you to see magical auras through solid substances? if so, only those mentioned in the detect magic spell? it is my opinion that a 3rd level spell should have some amount of power that a 0 level doesn't in this respect (i understand it has greater abilities such as no concentration and instant detection of power and number of auras, etc, i'm just saying that an equivalent spell such as clairaudience sets a standard for divination spells at this level to penetrate barriers). thanks for any help you guys can offer.
dantedarkstar 04-20-05, 08:15 AM	I think that Arcane Sight allows to see magical auras only in your sight. Meaning, that it cannot even pierce 1 mm of wood, that Detect Magic can. Edit: It's Arcane SIGHT after all. It's still far more powerful, because you don't need any concentration to detect magic. While Clairvoyance can allow you to see on the other side of the wall, it doesn't allow you to see through. The only item/spell that allow you to see THROUGH solids is Ring of X-Ray Vision, and of course in limited fashion Detect spells. I do not think Arcane Sight needs any extra power beyond what it has. It's still very valuable 3rd level spell, especially on higher levels, when 3rd level slot isn't much of a deal, while seeing magic is.
Seeker95 04-20-05, 08:34 AM	Arcane sight is just that -- sight. It requires line of sight. With the exception of x-ray vision, clairvoyance and scrying, sight effects do not go through anything.
Greowhiste 04-20-05, 11:55 AM	Do you think you would be able to detect magical auras behind an illusory door? You would be able to detect magical auras if it is simply in the dark though right? Even if I cannot "see" it, it is within line of sight of me and nothing is blocking it...right?
dantedarkstar 04-21-05, 06:47 AM	Do you think you would be able to detect magical auras behind an illusory door? I think only if you disbelieve the illusion. Otherwise you see the door, not what's behind. But you'll see the magical aura on the door obviously, so you may be well motivated to investigate, especially if the aura is Illusion school. You would be able to detect magical auras if it is simply in the dark though right? Even if I cannot "see" it, it is within line of sight of me and nothing is blocking it...right? Hmm... hard to say. Since nothing obscures your line of sight, you should see the aura, if we assume the aura is "glowing" (what would be quite logical assumption). Of course the aura isn't very precisely located, so I think you would only pinpoint the square where the item/creature with magic is. BUT Giving the spell benefits of limited darkvision could make it a bit too strong. Not sure though.
Seeker95 04-21-05, 09:47 AM	Do you think you would be able to detect magical auras behind an illusory door?Detect? Yes. See that you detected it? No.You would be able to detect magical auras if it is simply in the dark though right? Even if I cannot "see" it, it is within line of sight of me and nothing is blocking it...right?Again, while you may be able to succeed at the detection, you cannot see the aura without line of sight. Darkness (not the spell -- rather, the absence of light) blocks line of sight.