Glitterdust verses Invisibility

[Shadeus]

I was working on a sorcerer build and came to this same dilemma. I decided on See Invisibility. Basically I broke down the advantages/disadvantages of each:

Glitterdust

Advantages
- chance to blind a foe
- everyone can see the invisible foe
- once coated

Disadvantages
- a "one-shot" chance to see everyone in a 10'-radius (they are invisible, so you could cast it in the wrong spot)
- shorter duration: 1 rd/level
- has to be cast in combat
- useless if cast and then someone goes invisible

See Invisibility

Advantages
- continuous ability to detect multiple invisible creatures for different directions
- good duration that can be cast head of a combat: 10 min/level

Disadvantages
- spell range is 120 feet
- only the caster can see the invisible person

I thought the blinding effect was only a secondary benefit and the ability to cast it ahead of combat (so you don't need to waste a round doing so) was huge. I've never ended up playing the sorcerer, so I'm not speaking from practical experience.

None of this was your question, but I figured I would ramble on anyway.

 

[melkoriii]

Hmmmm Spells says all creatures covered in GD make Hide checks at -40 (flat).

Funny thing how it also says that only invisable creaters are outlined. So if they are not invisable then there is no outline BUT they get the -40 to hide.

 

[sithramir]

I was working on a sorcerer build and came to this same dilemma. I decided on See Invisibility. Basically I broke down the advantages/disadvantages of each:

Glitterdust

Advantages
- chance to blind a foe
- everyone can see the invisible foe
- once coated

Disadvantages
- a "one-shot" chance to see everyone in a 10'-radius (they are invisible, so you could cast it in the wrong spot)
- shorter duration: 1 rd/level
- has to be cast in combat
- useless if cast and then someone goes invisible

See Invisibility

Advantages
- continuous ability to detect multiple invisible creatures for different directions
- good duration that can be cast head of a combat: 10 min/level

Disadvantages
- spell range is 120 feet
- only the caster can see the invisible person

I thought the blinding effect was only a secondary benefit and the ability to cast it ahead of combat (so you don't need to waste a round doing so) was huge. I've never ended up playing the sorcerer, so I'm not speaking from practical experience.

None of this was your question, but I figured I would ramble on anyway.

You have missed the most crucial aspect of why I would choose glitterdust over see invisibility. It has uses as an attack spell that does not allow spell resistance. I did note that this particular sorcerer being an Eladree has see invisibility 1/day so i'm fine if they are invisible.

However, having this spell being basically a blindness spell for foes in combat that has defensive and offensive use, while not allowing SR was huge. The only other spell that didn't allow SR for 2nd lvl is melf's acid arrows. But I chose to also take scorching ray. Just forgot about the spot check.

Since this is going to be for campaign of the spider queen the realization that my character sucked against SR made me rethink some spells.

 

[Shadeus]

You have missed the most crucial aspect of why I would choose glitterdust over see invisibility. It has uses as an attack spell that does not allow spell resistance. I did note that this particular sorcerer being an Eladree has see invisibility 1/day so i'm fine if they are invisible.

However, having this spell being basically a blindness spell for foes in combat that has defensive and offensive use, while not allowing SR was huge. The only other spell that didn't allow SR for 2nd lvl is melf's acid arrows. But I chose to also take scorching ray. Just forgot about the spot check.

Since this is going to be for campaign of the spider queen the realization that my character sucked against SR made me rethink some spells.

Gotcha. We ran into this problem too at higher levels against some demons. We ended up resorting our spell-casters to buff spells. Of course, you could get Spell Penetration to help you out a bit. But I get your point.

It would be nice if there was a list of spells that ignore SR. Do I smell a new topic?

 

[Scion]

Glitterdust

Disadvantages
- useless if cast and then someone goes invisible

Not completely true I think, correct me if I'm wrong!

from the SRD:

Invisibility
Light, however, never becomes invisible, although a source of light can become so (thus, the effect is that of a light with no visible source).

So say you cast glitterdust on some human trying to blind them, after which and during the duration they turn invis. Now, either they still have the halo of golden around them or the ground around them will still glow golden or something similar. Just because you cant see the invisible burning torch directly doesnt mean that you cant tell where the bright spot is.

 

[melkoriii]

Not completely true I think, correct me if I'm wrong!

from the SRD:

Invisibility
Light, however, never becomes invisible, although a source of light can become so (thus, the effect is that of a light with no visible source).

So say you cast glitterdust on some human trying to blind them, after which and during the duration they turn invis. Now, either they still have the halo of golden around them or the ground around them will still glow golden or something similar. Just because you cant see the invisible burning torch directly doesnt mean that you cant tell where the bright spot is.

Actually the spell spasificaly states that invisable creatures are outlined.

I dont see how invisability conters that.

From SRD
A cloud of golden particles covers everyone and everything in the area, causing creatures to become blinded and visibly outlining invisible things for the duration of the spell. All within the area are covered by the dust, which cannot be removed and continues to sparkle until it fades.
Any creature covered by the dust takes a –40 penalty on Hide checks.

Once they cast invisability they are outlined per the spell.