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Detect Evil vs Invisibility?
Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 2:53 am
by GreyWolfVT
Nothing I've read about the various Detect Evil Wizard/Priest Spells or Paladin Ability state if it works when an evil monster or object is in a state of invisibility what is the verdict on this type of situation?
Re: Detect Evil vs Invisibility?
Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 1:09 pm
by Rukellian
GreyWolfVT wrote:Nothing I've read about the various Detect Evil Wizard/Priest Spells or Paladin Ability state if it works when an evil monster or object is in a state of invisibility what is the verdict on this type of situation?
I've always gone off of the logic that Invisibility affects the material plane, the one that most eyes connect with. Invisiblity should not affect auras, however, and I consider Detect Evil the act of checking for evil auras. In my opinion, auras are something that can only be seen on a different plane other than the material. Whether it be spiritual or magical, if a spell is cast that allows a character to detect a specific or broad range of alignments, he/she is actually viewing someone or something through another plane, much like shining a light that can reveal a special ink on paper.
I speak in analogies and guesses, so if anyone has anything concrete to bring to the table, by all means.
Re: Detect Evil vs Invisibility?
Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 8:21 pm
by Keehnelf
You can determine a percentage chance of perceiving an evil invisible target using intensity of evil radiation (
r) being given off by the invisible object with diameter
d over the course of a number of turns spent looking (
t). The physics are a bit complex, but if you know the thickness of the veil between the material and the negative energy plane (
v in most notations), you can solve for a result that will allow a straight d% roll per the following formula.
Re: Detect Evil vs Invisibility?
Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 9:05 pm
by dmw71
Damn, Keehnelf stole my
exact response!
In all seriousness, though, I think Ruke's answer is pretty solid. As a DM, I'd go with it.
Re: Detect Evil vs Invisibility?
Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 1:26 am
by GreyWolfVT
I'm avoiding the algebra looking answer lol and going with the one Ruke gave. I like all answers but I'm not going to start tossing the hard math/science into it.
Re: Detect Evil vs Invisibility?
Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 1:46 am
by Scott308
I like Ruke's answer as well. You can cast Detect Evil and sense an evil presence from the vampire on the other side of a door. You can't see what it is, but you know something there is evil. Same with invisibilty. Or if you were blind, you would still sense the evil.
Re: Detect Evil vs Invisibility?
Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 3:01 am
by Keehnelf
FWIW, I would rule the same way.
Re: Detect Evil vs Invisibility?
Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 3:02 am
by GreyWolfVT
Well the way I'm ruling it is The Paladin can sense the evil is nearby but not pin point the invisible imp. I'm just not overly understanding of how it works with a paladin's ability and vs a purely evil creature that can just go invisible at will.
Re: Detect Evil vs Invisibility?
Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 4:52 am
by Alethan
I've always given that ability a vague functionality. It isn't as if some red laser beam of light shoots from the palidain's sword and zeros in on the source.
To put it simply, the ability to detect evil does not give him the ability to see invisible creatures. He has a general idea of the direction of the source of evil, but not the exact location.
Re: Detect Evil vs Invisibility?
Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 12:52 pm
by GreyWolfVT
sounds like I played it out good then. Thanks for the input everyone.
Re: Detect Evil vs Invisibility?
Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 2:37 pm
by Rukellian
Glad I could offer a way of looking at it.
Re: Detect Evil vs Invisibility?
Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 4:31 pm
by GreyWolfVT
everyone provided good insight even if it was just stating they'd do the same thing as a prior answer.
Re: Detect Evil vs Invisibility?
Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2015 1:28 am
by Synthalus
Rukellian wrote:GreyWolfVT wrote:Nothing I've read about the various Detect Evil Wizard/Priest Spells or Paladin Ability state if it works when an evil monster or object is in a state of invisibility what is the verdict on this type of situation?
I've always gone off of the logic that Invisibility affects the material plane, the one that most eyes connect with. Invisiblity should not affect auras, however, and I consider Detect Evil the act of checking for evil auras. In my opinion, auras are something that can only be seen on a different plane other than the material. Whether it be spiritual or magical, if a spell is cast that allows a character to detect a specific or broad range of alignments, he/she is actually viewing someone or something through another plane, much like shining a light that can reveal a special ink on paper.
I speak in analogies and guesses, so if anyone has anything concrete to bring to the table, by all means.
Spot on, i couldn't have said it better myself.
Re: Detect Evil vs Invisibility?
Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2015 3:50 am
by Inferno
Detect Evil (Divination) Reversible
Level: 1 Components: V, S, M Range: 12" Casting Time: 1 round Duration: 1 turn + ½ turn/level Saving Throw: None Area of Effect: 1" path
Explanation/Description: This is a spell which discovers emanations of evil, or of good in the case of the reverse spell, from any creature or object. For example, evil alignment or an evilly cursed object will radiate evil, but a hidden trap or an unintelligent viper will not. The duration of a Detect Evil (or Detect Good) spell is 1 turn + ½ turn (5 rounds, or 5 minutes) per level of the cleric. Thus a cleric of 1st level of experience can cast a spell with a 1½ turn duration, at 2nd level a 2 turn duration, 2½ at 3rd, etc. The spell has a path of detection 1" wide in the direction in which the cleric is facing. It requires the use of the cleric's holy (or unholy) symbol as its material component, with the cleric holding it before him or her.
The second to last sentence (emphasis added) indicates that if not a laser beam, then a 1" wide path of detection exists in the direction in which the cleric or paladin is facing. The 1" wide path is 12" long, the spell's range. Emanations of evil from
"any creature" (even invisible ones) would be detected within that 1" x 12" area of effect (or 1" x 6" in a paladin's case).
So if a paladin fired arrows down that 1" path, he might have a chance to hit the invisible creature (with the standard -4 to hit invisible creatures). Or if he advanced down that path, his long sword swinging, he might have a similar chance to hit when he moved within attack range with his 6" of movement.
Hypothetically speaking, of course.