holding the charge - noticable?

[Vortakh]

Greetings,

are held spells noticable for others, despite detect magic or something similar? I mean through normal sight or other mundane senses? Since you count as being armed with an held touch spell, it seems they are somehow noticable, but I found nothing explicit about this.

I looked for this in the PHB & DMG 3.5 and the web.

The question came up in our last game session when our barbarian didn't want to be touched by our new player's half-drow, who was only trying to give him a cure spell.

Thanks for any enlightenment

V.

 

[Infiniti2000]

There is nothing explicit about it. Nor is there anything explicit about wielding a weapon as opposed to holding one, or have improved unarmed strike. You could allow a spot check perhaps, or anything that floats your boat.

 

[Artoomis]

I am not sure you'll find this in writing, but I would say yes, your hand glows with energy (or something like that). Otherwise, why would people suddenly feel threatened by you when you hold a charge as opposed to when you don't?

So, while it is not explicitly stated, I think it is implied.

 

[frankthedm]

There is nothing explicit about it.

Ahem...

DMG p34
Magic is flashy. When characters cast spells or use magic items you should describe what the spell looks, sounds, smells or feels like as well as its game effects.

A magic missile could be a dagger shaped burst of energy that flies through the air. It could also be a fistlike creation of force that bashes into its target or the sudden appearance of a demonic head that spits a blast of energy... < snip >

 

[Destil]

I would say yes, it does, because striking with a touch spell counts as an armed attack and does not provoke an attack of oppertunity. If there were no way noticing the held charge then this would not make any sense.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Ahem...

I'm not sure that counts, though. Sure, maybe when you cast the spell, but holding the charge? Is the magic always flashy until the spell ends/is discharged? For example, does your quote mean that you can, in fact, see a wall of force or know that one was cast (similar special effects, say, to when a force field pops up in Star Trek:TNG)?

 

[Darklone]

IIRC in the beginning of the Magic Chapter they wrote that it's obvious when a spell has been cast...

I somehow remember a discussion loooong ago about whether a stilled,silent spell without components can be noticed... and the answer was yes IIRC.

 

[Plane Sailing]

I would say yes, it does, because striking with a touch spell counts as an armed attack and does not provoke an attack of oppertunity. If there were no way noticing the held charge then this would not make any sense.

This is my opinion also.

 

[Infiniti2000]

I somehow remember a discussion loooong ago about whether a stilled,silent spell without components can be noticed... and the answer was yes IIRC.

That was about the act of casting, not about a held charge or a spell in effect. Obviously, it can't be the latter (e.g. wall of force), while Frank's quote supports the former. I still say there's nothing explicit about holding the charge, which is halfway between the two.