How much does Spellcraft tell you?

[AuraSeer]

Spellcraft allows you to identify a spell as it's being cast. I'm not clear on the amount of information you get.

If a wizard casts Wall of Force and I make my Spellcraft check, do I get any information on where the wall shows up? Can I tell the difference between the 'plane' and 'hemisphere' versions?

When observing someone cast Magic Mouth, can I identify the message and the triggering conditions?

If I see someone cast Plane Shift, do I know what plane they ended up on?

In short, do I get any info about this particular casting, or am I just given the spell title?

 

[mikebr99]

I would say that you just get enough information during the beginning of the opponent's casting to be able to counter it right away.... basically the title of the spell.

 

[AuraSeer]

Forget counterspells for the moment. Say the BBEG has finished casting, and I want to know exactly what he did.

When he casts a Wall of Force, I want to know whether he's protecting himself, or placing the wall 5' in front of my face. Can I tell the difference? It could be rather important, if I plan to cast Fireball next round...

 

[hong]

Forget counterspells for the moment. Say the BBEG has finished casting, and I want to know exactly what he did.

When he casts a Wall of Force, I want to know whether he's protecting himself, or placing the wall 5' in front of my face. Can I tell the difference? It could be rather important, if I plan to cast Fireball next round...

I don't think you would beable to tell, just as you wouldn't beable to tell where someone's fireball was supposed to explode. You would know the spell name, and that's about it.

 

[Magic Rub]

Yup just the name, that's it.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Identify a spell being cast DC 15+spell level, basically just enough to countermagic it,

DC 20+spell level to identify a spell that's already in place and in effect. (the character must be able to see or detect the effects of the spell.) Also Identify materials created or shaped by magic, such as noting that an iron wall is the result of a wall of iron spell. No retry.

DC 15+spell level to determine school of a spell with detect magic.

I don't think that by the rules you could determine some of the things which you are looking for.

There is no reason why a DM couldn't decide that a DC of 30+ spell level (say) would enable some of those details to be gathered though...

Cheers

 

[Speaks With Stone]

Slightly different question

Can you combone your spellcraft knowledge with a bluff to pretend to cast a spell even though you haven't memorized it?

Say I want to distract an enemy wizard, but I'm all tapped out of useful spells. Could I jump up and down waving my hands and pulling out components appropriate to a spell, but actually cast nothing? I was wondering if you did something like this could you potentially draw a counterspell against the bluff or not.

If there are other tell-tale signs (magic energy swirling about) could you use a still, silent prestidigitation or some such to mimic those telltales and make the bluff-spell appear true?

 

[mikebr99]

Re: Slightly different question

Can you combone your spellcraft knowledge with a bluff to pretend to cast a spell even though you haven't memorized it?

Say I want to distract an enemy wizard, but I'm all tapped out of useful spells. Could I jump up and down waving my hands and pulling out components appropriate to a spell, but actually cast nothing? I was wondering if you did something like this could you potentially draw a counterspell against the bluff or not.

If there are other tell-tale signs (magic energy swirling about) could you use a still, silent prestidigitation or some such to mimic those telltales and make the bluff-spell appear true?

That would be a great use of the skill! Since the opponent is really only getting 1 second of information before he decides whether to counter or not.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Of course, how often do counterspells actually get used

 

[Krafen]

Of course, how often do counterspells actually get used

On the other hand, if an opposing mage thinks you just cast shield, he's not likely to target you with magic missiles.