Does detect magic detect everything???

[kk14]

Detect magic can be used to discern the location of all magical auras in the area. Does this include invisible things?

 

[Hypersmurf]

Detect magic can be used to discern the location of all magical auras in the area. Does this include invisible things?

Yes. Not only will you sense any other magical aura the invisible thing has, you'll also sense the aura of whatever's making it invisible...

-Hyp.

 

[The Lost Muse]

If the invisible thing is invisible because of a spell (or spell-like) ability, then the invisible thing would likely be detected; however, someone under cover of invisibility would only show up as a faint aura, and the caster detecting would only know the approximate location of an illusion spell.

 

[moritheil]

In the case of invisible enemies, standing still for a couple of rounds to try to detect their magic aura is generally considered both unlikely to work and unwise.

 

[KarinsDad]

In our current campaign, I created a type of "ancient magic" that does not require an item be masterwork in order to be magical and since it is non-standard magic, it also does not detect with Detect Magic.

It has added a new dimension of thinking to the players because any run of the mill item can now be magical and the only way to find out is to use the item (course, these types of items are rare, but because of another aspect of the campaign plotline, the PCs have found one such item so far by 3rd level).

I became bored with the repetitious concept of:

1) Find masterwork item.
2) Cast Detect Magic on it.

or

1) Cast Detect Magic over everything.

Another thing one might do is require a successful Appraisal roll to find out if an item is masterwork in the first place, but blanket Detect Magics over all found treasure foil even this (shy of items that have innate Nondetection spells within them).


In response to the OPs question, since Invisibility detects as magical, Nondetection works well in conjunction with Invisibility (assuming a DM does not use a extremely literal interpretation that Nondetection protects a creature's gear, but not the spells on the creature).

 

[pawsplay]

Interestingly, I have found no indication supernatural abilities detect as magic.

 

[lukelightning]

Personally, I think there is no compelling reason to have magic items difficult to detect. If the players never find the magic sword, thinking it's just a plain old non-magic sword, why bother putting it in the game? To reward compulsive hoarders?

 

[IcyCool]

It is important to note, however, that even though detect magic would determine which square an invisible creature was in, you'd still suffer the 50% miss chance if you tried to attack it, because it's still invisible.

 

[Gerion of Mercadia]

Check out Nystul's Undetectable Aura.

 

[Raspen]

its good to rember you dont use your eyes when you use this spell it works good for scouting
go to door use detect magic feel auras inside room feel them moveing know thier is something behind the door.