Do you notice a Charm attempt?

[Xar]

This came up in my last game: the 1st level mage tries to charm a rude, unfriendly fighter that is a few levels higher than himself. The fighter succeeds his save, but the mage claims that he didn't notice anything. But this would make a 1st level spell too powerfull in my opinion, so the fighter would notice and could beat up the mage (and companions).

So what is the official ruling in this situation? Could the fighter notice the Charm attempt or not?

 

[gfunk]

I believe either the PHB or DMG says that when a spell is cast on you and you make your save, you *know* that some magic was cast on you. If you don't have Spellcraft as a skill you can't really tell what the spell was exactly. However, if the fighter in your situation saw the mage casting he would certainly know he tried to cast a spell on him *or* if he felt the effect and saw the mage immediately afterwards -- well, any reasonable person would assume that the mage did it.

 

[KarinsDad]

The converse is also true. If the Fighter fails the save, the Wizard knows. If the Fighter makes the save, the Wizard knows.

No more "You are now my friend." "Yes, I am your friend. Do you want to see what's in my hand?" Whap! "It was my sword you scum Wizard."

It's kind of nice that all of this ambiguity has been cleaned up for 3E.

 

[Xar]

I believe either the PHB or DMG says that when a spell is cast on you and you make your save, you *know* that some magic was cast on you. If you don't have Spellcraft as a skill you can't really tell what the spell was exactly. However, if the fighter in your situation saw the mage casting he would certainly know he tried to cast a spell on him *or* if he felt the effect and saw the mage immediately afterwards -- well, any reasonable person would assume that the mage did it.

Where is that stated?

I really need the exact quote to convince this player. I do faintly remember something among these lines, but I couldnt find it in my book...

The fighter didn't actually saw the mage casting it, but he isn't stupid for sure.

 

[graydoom]

Page 150 PHB. Uses charm person as an example, even. They guy who made the saves knows he just resisted some magic, but does not automatically know who cast it or what it was.

Of course, if there is only one mage type person in the vicinity, a bit of logical deduction will quickly lead to a correct conclusion....

 

[Hypersmurf]

There are some effects that often go unnoticed, but they're usually specified clearly. A succubus' kiss drains energy, but there's a Wisdom check required to notice anything other than the kiss.

I'm not sure if the Giant Tick has been converted to 3E, but they were fun - they'd attach somewhere and start draining blood, and because they had an anaesthetising bite, you didn't notice until you keeled over...

-Hyp.

 

[CRGreathouse]

Oh yeah - real fun.

 

[Numion]

And you should remember that the fighter who has some levels under his belt, so to speak, shouldn't be clueless towards magic. He lives in a D&D world, after all. Thats probably the next thing the wizards player will throw at you - fighters know nothing of magic.

Nonsense. The wizards should get his ass kicked - once for trying to charm the fighter and a second time for arguing with the DM

 

[Mal Malenkirk]

Charm person is a V,S spell. So when he casts charm person, the wizard loudly pronunces arcane incantation and waves his hands in the air.

EVERYONE in the area knows he is casting a spell unless he is using several metamagic feat to conceal it (silent&Still spell).

Spell components are described on PHB p.151

Knowing exactly what spell he is casting requires a spellcraft check, of course.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Knowing exactly what spell he is casting requires a spellcraft check, of course.

Yup.

"I didn't cast a spell on you!" is a foolish bluff, and he deserves to die.

"I cast a spell to protect you from arrows" is potentially a more workable bluff, assuming the pair already knew each other.

"I cast a spell to make sure you're who you say you are, and it seems you can be trusted" is... well, maybe worth a try, if they weren't well-acquainted. Might still get him punched in the face, of course.

-Hyp.