5e invisibility and Detect Magic

[Shin Okada]

Assuming someone is invisible by a spell or similar magic, how Detect Magic works against it?

The caster of Detect Magic spell will see the aura surrounding a invisibility creature. Should that mean the caster can technically "see" the invisible creature? Or should the caster know the exact location of the invisible creature but still suffer disadvantage on his attack roll and such?

 

[Rya.Reisender]

The spell description actually clearly states that you see the aura around a visible creature. So at least RAW you wouldn't see the aura around an invisible creature. Probably RAI too because otherwise they could just have said "around any creature that bears magic", but you could also argue that it's just there to make it clear you can't see through walls with it, even if you can detect through walls.

The first part still applies regardless: "you sense the presence of magic"

And you could read it so that the "visible" requirement only refers to the aura, but not to the school of magic, so I'd still tell my players that the school of magic is illusion.

It's an interesting question, would like to know how other DMs handle it. See the aura or not? A possible compromise could also be to give a rough estimate on the direction instead.

Edit: Thinking about it, I definitely wouldn't make the player see the aura, mainly because of the complications it creates (still hidden? disadvantage on attacks?).

 

[BluejayJunior]

So the spell says that you sense magic, and then if you sense it, you can use an action to see the aura around a visible object/creature or know the school.
The way I would probably run it would be that the character can sense the presence of Illusion magic. But they can't pinpoint the location, maybe know the general direction it comes from (eg from somewhere to your right).

 

[Ristamar]

The presence of magic would be detected, but no visible aura or precise location.

https://www.sageadvice.eu/2017/01/1...ture-under-the-effects-of-invisibility-spell/

 

[Maxperson]

This is the wording.

"For the duration, you sense the presence of magic within 30 feet of you. If you sense magic in this way, you can use your action to see a faint aura around any visible creature or object in the area that bears magic, and you learn its school of magic, if any."

Learning the school of magic seems connected to seeing the aura. I would rule that you sense magic within 30 feet of you, but that's it. No school. No location. The See Invisibility spell exists for a reason, and there's no good reason I can think of to allow detect magic, especially since it's lower level, from diminishing the usefulness of See Invisibility.

 

[Swarmkeeper]

This is the wording.

"For the duration, you sense the presence of magic within 30 feet of you. If you sense magic in this way, you can use your action to see a faint aura around any visible creature or object in the area that bears magic, and you learn its school of magic, if any."

Learning the school of magic seems connected to seeing the aura. I would rule that you sense magic within 30 feet of you, but that's it. No school. No location. The See Invisibility spell exists for a reason, and there's no good reason I can think of to allow detect magic, especially since it's lower level, from diminishing the usefulness of See Invisibility.

Annnnnd, if no one has the See Invisibility spell known/prepared, then it's a good idea for someone to be carrying a pouch of flour. PCs might need to rethink overlooking that proficiency with cook's utensils!

 

[Ancalagon]

Alternatively, have a bat familiar

 

[Oofta]

Annnnnd, if no one has the See Invisibility spell known/prepared, then it's a good idea for someone to be carrying a pouch of flour. PCs might need to rethink overlooking that proficiency with cook's utensils!

I remember pulling that waaay back. I was quite proud when the DM asked to see my character sheet and it was actually in my item list, along with the miscellaneous mirror on a stick, drill (for when there's no key-hole) and so on.

 

[Maxperson]

Alternatively, have a bat familiar

Yeah, but that's in the Bat Belt next to the Bat Shark Repellent. If you don't have that, flour is the next best thing.

 

[smbakeresq]

Remember though an invisible creature still needs to take the hide action to actually be removed from the map. Invisibility grants the chance to take that hide action, otherwise you still know where the invisible creature is, you just can’t see it.

And yes flour works great. It’s also a great use of something like alchemists fire or acid (you still see the smoke or vapors from the creature or its possessions burning) or a bullseye lantern as it still casts a shadow, see “The Shadow” series.