Detect Magic detects what?

[Scratched_back]

Sorry to bore everybody with what will probably be a post requiring a one-word-answer, but it's important to my character in one of those "Scraping the bottom of the barrel" ways that so often come about when your party is landed in the s**t.

To cut a long story short, my character posesses an ancient Elven blade, which amongst other abilities, can detect magic (60ft radius) thrice per day. In the cliffhanger combat on which last session ended we were being attacked by invisible assailants of some description.

Basically, I was wanting to know if I utilised my detect magic burst, would it highlight (allbeit briefly) anyone within that radius with spells such as invisibilty/improved invisibility cast upon them? If not, would it highlight any magical items (again, briefly) that said assailants were armed with or carrying?

Help me scrape the barrel please, or I may find myself in a very tough combat come next Monday!

Thanks all,

-Ben

P.s. If at all possible, any justification for either decision would be appreciated... to show my GM. I'm sure you all understand!

 

[Pinotage]

Basically, I was wanting to know if I utilised my detect magic burst, would it highlight (allbeit briefly) anyone within that radius with spells such as invisibilty/improved invisibility cast upon them? If not, would it highlight any magical items (again, briefly) that said assailants were armed with or carrying?

Nope. On the first round of using Detect Magic, it only indicates the presence of magic. So it would only tell you what you already know, unless the creatures are naturally invisible like an invisible stalker. Have a look at the spell description of the Detect Magic spell and you'll see that only on the 3rd round can you locate any auras specifically.

Pinotage

 

[Scratched_back]

So it would only tell you what you already know, unless the creatures are naturally invisible like an invisible stalker.

Pinotage

So in a situation in which invisible creatures (having used a spell, not a natural ability) were nearby and I was previously unaware, detect magic when activated WOULD alert me to the presence of... something... until I concentrated? Also, what about any carried/equipped magical items etc. Would they also be detected?

 

[Pinotage]

So in a situation in which invisible creatures (having used a spell, not a natural ability) were nearby and I was previously unaware, detect magic when activated WOULD alert me to the presence of... something... until I concentrated? Also, what about any carried/equipped magical items etc. Would they also be detected?

Yes. If there was an invisible creature around, once you'd cast Detect Magic and concentrated for one round, you'd know there was something within the range of the spell, but not where. If you concentrated for 3 rounds, you could pinpoint the creature and determine the aura type and strength on the creature, as well as any magic items. Not a great spell in combat since you don't have the time to pinpoint the opponent. Of course, once you'd pinpointed them and say they moved, you'd have to do it all over again.

Pinotage

 

[Henry]

Long story short - if you can make them stand still for 3 rounds, you'll know where they are. I feel for you, though. It's often that a party doesn't prepare for invisible threats. The best solutions I have are:

--Leading them to a very dusty area where footprints, silhouettes, etc. might be seen

--If you have anything that sticks and has color to it (syrup, paint, lime-green spittle, etc.) you might try area attacks with same to color your enemies

--blanket area Dispel Magics

--Darkness spells, moving to pitch black areas, or similar to give yourselves similar or equivalent advantages, to level the fighting field

--Running like heck

That's about all of your options unfortunately.

 

[Voadam]

Ready an attack to return a blow when they attack, you still will have the 50% miss chance but you should be able to tell what square they are in while they are hitting you.

Or super high spot or listen checks to pinpoint then full attack.

Maneuvering into a 5' wide corridor helps partially negate their advantage.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Ha, back in 2nd ed I ran a game where both the party and the bad guys were invisible... It was silly.

The Auld Grump, but not as silly as the wizard's castle with 500 unseen servants...

 

[AuraSeer]

So in a situation in which invisible creatures (having used a spell, not a natural ability) were nearby and I was previously unaware, detect magic when activated WOULD alert me to the presence of... something... until I concentrated? Also, what about any carried/equipped magical items etc. Would they also be detected?

It would detect any active spells, and any carried magic items. As mentioned above, you wouldn't immediately know the location, but you would know "there is something magical nearby."

This is only useful if there's no other magic near you. If one of your companions is in range and is carrying any magic, even a cure potion, that will detect as "magic nearby."

However, I kind of suspect your DM will be more lenient than the rules specify. He's given you this special magic blade, and then attacked you with invisible creatures, so maybe in his world the blade can pinpoint the critters for you. It can't hurt to ask, before you go looking for other solutions to the problem.

 

[punkorange]

Not trying to jack the thread but one of my players has a question about detect magic.
If he laid out all of the loot they found and use detect magic, he could discern which ones were and werent magical so as not to waste identify spells couldn't he?

 

[Nifelhein]

identify spells would still be needed to know what the item was anyway... and that is what I have done sicne I started playing and knew detect magic existed... back in the 80s....