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<blockquote data-quote="Falling Icicle" data-source="post: 3652402" data-attributes="member: 17077">People with See Invisibility and other such abilities would still be able to see it, dispel it, etc.It's called the Spell Thematics feat. Why don't I allow my players to make such changes? Because even the most innocent-seaming changes to a spell can have gameplay ramifications. If I see someone with blue or green fire around them, I know that they are using the chill version of fire shield. If they have violet or blue fire around them it would have to be the warm version of fire sheild. That makes a very big difference. This is why the spell thematics feat makes spellcraft checks to identify a spell much more difficult.Zero bearing on spellcraft? It is possible to identify a spell just from hearing its verbal component. Why? Because you know what the verbal components of various spells are. Let's say the verbal component of knock is &quot;open saysame.&quot; If someone says something other than &quot;open saysame&quot; when casting knock, how are you supposed to know that they are casting knock and not some other spell? The spellcraft skill makes no sense if spells aren't consistent and their components, appearance, etc are not set. The example you gave assumes that you can see the effect. And again, if someone could make their spells appear as whatever they wish, how are you supposed to be able to tell one spell from another by looking at it? You even mention green flames, and as I pointed out, in the case of fire shield color makes a very big difference.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Falling Icicle, post: 3652402, member: 17077"] People with See Invisibility and other such abilities would still be able to see it, dispel it, etc. It's called the Spell Thematics feat. Why don't I allow my players to make such changes? Because even the most innocent-seaming changes to a spell can have gameplay ramifications. If I see someone with blue or green fire around them, I know that they are using the chill version of fire shield. If they have violet or blue fire around them it would have to be the warm version of fire sheild. That makes a very big difference. This is why the spell thematics feat makes spellcraft checks to identify a spell much more difficult. Zero bearing on spellcraft? It is possible to identify a spell just from hearing its verbal component. Why? Because you know what the verbal components of various spells are. Let's say the verbal component of knock is "open saysame." If someone says something other than "open saysame" when casting knock, how are you supposed to know that they are casting knock and not some other spell? The spellcraft skill makes no sense if spells aren't consistent and their components, appearance, etc are not set. The example you gave assumes that you can see the effect. And again, if someone could make their spells appear as whatever they wish, how are you supposed to be able to tell one spell from another by looking at it? You even mention green flames, and as I pointed out, in the case of fire shield color makes a very big difference. [/QUOTE]

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