Detect Magic - Correct Application - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Detect Magic - Correct Application

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
daedel
Oct 06, 2014 13:33:54
Please tell me if I understand detect magic correctly. I understand that as long as you keep concentration, you sense the presence of magic, even through barriers (but subjected to the limits given in the spell). This is just sensing, without location given. But, if you use your action, then you locate precisely the magic auras of any creature or object you can see, learning their schools of magic, if any. So the first usage can be to know that there are magic auras around 30 feet (even if they are with total cover, subjected to the limits of the spell) and the second pinpoints where they are and what type they are, provided you can see creature/object bearing them (i.e., not invisible or behind total cover). Is this right?

#2
Noctaem
Oct 06, 2014 13:35:42
don't have my PHB with me but I'm fairly certain you're correct.

#3
AaronOfBarbaria
Oct 06, 2014 14:28:21
Yes, you've got it right.

It can be very helpful since it will let you sense something magical is present, but it doesn't perfectly locate things which have been hidden away, and can fail to locate items if they are hidden in specific ways (behind barriers as detailed in the spell which block its detection ability).

#4
daedel
Oct 06, 2014 14:58:25
Thank you!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 daedel Oct 06, 2014 13:33:54	Please tell me if I understand detect magic correctly. I understand that as long as you keep concentration, you sense the presence of magic, even through barriers (but subjected to the limits given in the spell). This is just sensing, without location given. But, if you use your action, then you locate precisely the magic auras of any creature or object you can see, learning their schools of magic, if any. So the first usage can be to know that there are magic auras around 30 feet (even if they are with total cover, subjected to the limits of the spell) and the second pinpoints where they are and what type they are, provided you can see creature/object bearing them (i.e., not invisible or behind total cover). Is this right?
#2 Noctaem Oct 06, 2014 13:35:42	don't have my PHB with me but I'm fairly certain you're correct.
#3 AaronOfBarbaria Oct 06, 2014 14:28:21	Yes, you've got it right. It can be very helpful since it will let you sense something magical is present, but it doesn't perfectly locate things which have been hidden away, and can fail to locate items if they are hidden in specific ways (behind barriers as detailed in the spell which block its detection ability).
#4 daedel Oct 06, 2014 14:58:25	Thank you!