How much does Spellcraft tell you?

[Archer]

If someone with a high enough escape artist skill can squeeze through a wall of force I would definitely think that someone with a high enough spellcraft could tell where it was placed/going to be placed.

 

[Plane Sailing]

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

Agreed, I think that is one of the best uses of "spotting what he is casting".

I'm considering giving mages who are watching a caster get +1 on their reflex saves if they notice that a damaging spell is being cast. Just a little flavour thing based on the "DM's friend" rule.

 

[Plane Sailing]

If someone with a high enough escape artist skill can squeeze through a wall of force I would definitely think that someone with a high enough spellcraft could tell where it was placed/going to be placed.

I presume that this bizarre idea comes from the epic level handbook ?!?

 

[Thanee]

In general, Spellcraft is quite useful to find out about protective spells being cast.

Bye
Thanee

 

[AuraSeer]

I presume that this bizarre idea comes from the epic level handbook ?!?

Yes. If you have serious epic skills, you can do things without magical assistance that would be impossible for normal mortals. IIRC, if you can meet DC 100 you can Balance on a cloud, or Climb upside-down across a smooth ceiling, or use Escape Artist to pass through a Wall of Force.

Whether this makes sense is a topic for another thread entirely.

 

[Shallown]

I usually allow the progression to determine what they know. Now to explain that. When an someone cast a spell you get a spell craft check. If you make the Dc 15+ spell level you know the spell name and which variant if it has one. If you make a DC20 + the spell level Then you might get where it is going and some idea of its power (ie caster level) and a Dc 25+ spell level where the example wall of force is appearing and relavent details. All this is one roll with gradiant levels of success. I do most my skill rolls this way.

Later

 

[Larcen]

I usually allow the progression to determine what they know. Now to explain that. When an someone cast a spell you get a spell craft check. If you make the Dc 15+ spell level you know the spell name and which variant if it has one. If you make a DC20 + the spell level Then you might get where it is going and some idea of its power (ie caster level) and a Dc 25+ spell level where the example wall of force is appearing and relavent details. All this is one roll with gradiant levels of success. I do most my skill rolls this way.

Later

Hey, gradiant levels of success... I like it! YOu should start a thread in House Rules and post more examples for other skills. I would like to see them.