Detect Evil

[LazarusLong42]

I'm certain this has been answered before, but we spent literally fifteen minutes at the table discussing it last night. To their credit, the players were generally arguing for a strciter interpretation, but the rules themselves seem very unclear. So:

Which of the following, if any, by the RAW, are detected by the detect evil spell?

(1) A neutral NPC planning an evil act against a third party;
(2) A neutral NPC planning an evil act against the caster;
(3) A neutral evil NPC.

The RAW specify that evil creatures are detected--but does this include only creatures with the [Evil] subtype, or does it include creatures that merely have an evil alignment? I've always seen it played as the latter, but a couple of my players were supporting the former (and less useful to them) interpretation.

But if the former is the correct answer, then what is the point of the "Undetectable Alignment" spell?

 

[MerakSpielman]

It is unclear. At the very least, the alignment of the target has to be evil in order to show up. Many people rule that the creature must have the [evil] subtype, in order to prevent rampant abuse of the spell.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Which of the following, if any, by the RAW, are detected by the detect evil spell?

(1) A neutral NPC planning an evil act against a third party;
(2) A neutral NPC planning an evil act against the caster;
(3) A neutral evil NPC.

3. He's an evil creature. The other two are not evil creatures.

-Hyp.

 

[dcollins]

It's not unclear. Only case #3 triggers detect evil. Whatever the alignment of the scanned character is -- as long as it's an "evil creature" -- is the key factor.

The only reason this gets confused is 2nd Edition's goofed-up version of detect evil that didn't detect evil.

Here's another point: Note there's distinct entries for "evil creature" and "evil outsider". In my MM the only creatures with the [Evil] subtype are already Outsiders -- hence if it meant the subtype, the two categories would become meaningless. If yo've got the [Evil] subtype then that bumps you up into the stronger, more intense category.

 

[LazarusLong42]

Here's another point: Note there's distinct entries for "evil creature" and "evil outsider". In my MM the only creatures with the [Evil] subtype are already Outsiders -- hence if it meant the subtype, the two categories would become meaningless. If yo've got the [Evil] subtype then that bumps you up into the stronger, more intense category.

That is exactly what I was missing... I knew something was tugging at me. OK, cool. Thanks y'all.

 

[der_kluge]

IMC, Detect Evil only detects [evil] creatures.

However, I applied that monikor to more creatures than just outsiders. Vampires, for example, IMC, are [evil], as are many forms of undead. Clerics of evil gods, and Blackguards, are also [evil].

Just as clerics of good gods are [good].

Protection from Evil works the same way. It only works against [evil] creatures.

At least, IMC.

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

Ahh but you see, the "only [evil] creatures" interpretation gets rid of nearly all of the false positives that make the spell challenging and turns it into Detect bad guy. (Even if it doesn't detect all bad guys, you know anyone who pings on it IS a bad guy and, what's more, needs smiting). If it detects the evil baker eating his breakfast and thinking of nothing more interesting than a particularly challenging recipy for multi-grain sourdough cheese bread, you need to use a bit more thought with your detect evil.

 

[The Souljourner]

Damn those evil bakers! Only bloodshed will put an end to their sourdough tyranny!

Seriously, though, Detect Evil detects creatures whose alignment is evil. Period.
Same with the rest of them, respectively.

D&D is a game in which morality is absolute. You're either good, evil, or neither. A baker isn't going to show up as evil unless his kitchen helpers are actually child slaves that he beats nightly just for the fun of it. Evil is evil. If you show up on the spell, you're a Bad Person™.

-The Souljourner

 

[RigaMortus]

What if the baker has evil thoughts, none of which he has performed yet, only because of the fear of getting caught. Would that make him Evil?

 

[Caliban]

What if the baker has evil thoughts, none of which he has performed yet, only because of the fear of getting caught. Would that make him Evil?

That's up to the DM.