How noticable is a Paladin using "Detect Evil"
- Thread starter Master of the Game
- Start date
dreaded_beast
First Post
so is detect evil noticable? the dm for my game says that SOMETHING has to be noticeable for the paladin's detect evil to work. i think he is still weighed down by the 2nd edition conception of how detect evil works for paladins. in the complete paladin's handbook for 2nd edition, it says something like the paladin needs his hands free or some stuff like that when he uses detect evil. bah. i say that detect evil shouldn't be noticable beyond the obvious fact that the paladin is standing there staring at you like a fool. i hate when dm's think that if that's the way it worked in 2nd edition, then that's how it should work for 3rd edition. but dm's game, dm's rules.
I'm unclear on this point too. I always was under the impression that since detect evil is a spell-like ability, you are essentially casting the spell detect evil. That spell has a divine focus, verbal, and somantic component...so wouldn't the NPCs see the paladin essentially casting a spell in the middle of this party?
Hypersmurf
Moderatarrrrh...
PHB, p158.
MM, p7.
-Hyp.
WizarDru
Adventurer
From the SRD: "Detect Evil: At will, the paladin can detect evil as a spell-like ability. This ability duplicates the effects of the spell detect evil. "
Then: "Use spell-like ability [Standard][AoO: Yes]
casting a spell in that it requires concentration and provokes attacks of opportunity. Spell-like abilities can be disrupted. If a character's concentration is broken, the attempt to use the ability fails, but the attempt counts as if the character had used the ability. The casting time of a spell-like ability is 1 action, making its use a standard action, unless the ability description notes otherwise.
A character may attempt to use a spell-like ability on the defensive, just as with a spell. If the Concentration check (DC 15) fails, the character can't use the ability, but the attempt counts as if the character had used the ability. "
Remember also that the Paladin's Detect Evil ability is only a first level spell ability, fairly easy to foil, if one so desires. The concentration would be somewhat obvious, IMHO, especially since it would incur an AoO to use the ability in combat (and then spend 18 seconds after activating the ability sifting through the psychic debris about you). A succesful bluff check might cover this, however. Remember also two more things: first, that thick walls and other things block detect abilities and second, that being evil isn't a license to be killed. Note, for example, that at least half of the rulers in Greyhawk are evil in alignment. That doesn't mean they're evil dictators, necessarily...just that they're ruthless bastards when crossed, or would be glad to do someone dirt to advance their position. Evil in your heart is not the same as having committed a punishable crime. Evil people may even be redemable...but not if they're dead.
Then: "Use spell-like ability [Standard][AoO: Yes]
casting a spell in that it requires concentration and provokes attacks of opportunity. Spell-like abilities can be disrupted. If a character's concentration is broken, the attempt to use the ability fails, but the attempt counts as if the character had used the ability. The casting time of a spell-like ability is 1 action, making its use a standard action, unless the ability description notes otherwise.
A character may attempt to use a spell-like ability on the defensive, just as with a spell. If the Concentration check (DC 15) fails, the character can't use the ability, but the attempt counts as if the character had used the ability. "
Remember also that the Paladin's Detect Evil ability is only a first level spell ability, fairly easy to foil, if one so desires. The concentration would be somewhat obvious, IMHO, especially since it would incur an AoO to use the ability in combat (and then spend 18 seconds after activating the ability sifting through the psychic debris about you). A succesful bluff check might cover this, however. Remember also two more things: first, that thick walls and other things block detect abilities and second, that being evil isn't a license to be killed. Note, for example, that at least half of the rulers in Greyhawk are evil in alignment. That doesn't mean they're evil dictators, necessarily...just that they're ruthless bastards when crossed, or would be glad to do someone dirt to advance their position. Evil in your heart is not the same as having committed a punishable crime. Evil people may even be redemable...but not if they're dead.
Eldorian
First Post
MM, page 8, first paragraph, last sentance. "Spell-like abilities cannot be used to counterspell, nor can they be counterspelled."
My own personal opinion on this is that concentration is unnoticable, unless you attempt the engage the character in some activity that requires him to respond, such as conversation. In conversation, a sense motive would apply to notice if that the spell like ability user is concentrating, and perhaps a spellcraft to notice that it's a spell or spell like ability that he's concentrating on. The average DnD character "in the know" should realise that any paladin will know if he is evil or not, if he encounters the paladin for any extended amount of time, say a few minutes.
Eldorian Antar
My own personal opinion on this is that concentration is unnoticable, unless you attempt the engage the character in some activity that requires him to respond, such as conversation. In conversation, a sense motive would apply to notice if that the spell like ability user is concentrating, and perhaps a spellcraft to notice that it's a spell or spell like ability that he's concentrating on. The average DnD character "in the know" should realise that any paladin will know if he is evil or not, if he encounters the paladin for any extended amount of time, say a few minutes.
Eldorian Antar
krunchyfrogg
Explorer
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