How noticeable is Concentrating on a Spell?

[green slime]

I'd say concentrating on something is fairly obvious.

Try watching tv while other people talk loudly. Isn't it then obvious that you are trying to watch tv to the other people around you?

When it comes to a spell, well, it may not be obvious what exactly you are concentrating upon, but it should be relatively easy to see that there is some mental zoning going on.

 

[Vegepygmy]

Try watching tv while other people talk loudly. Isn't it then obvious that you are trying to watch tv to the other people around you?

Apparently, not to my wife, it isn't.

 

[shilsen]

I'd say concentrating on something is fairly obvious.

probably. The question is whether one can work out what you're concentrating on.

Try watching tv while other people talk loudly. Isn't it then obvious that you are trying to watch tv to the other people around you?

True, but if the TV set was in a 60 ft wide area and all you were trying to do is work out if it's on or off, you could do so without ever looking directly at it. That's analogous to what a paladin detecting evil is doing. He doesn't need to look directly at any individual, but just has to keep the person within a 60 ft cone.

When it comes to a spell, well, it may not be obvious what exactly you are concentrating upon, but it should be relatively easy to see that there is some mental zoning going on.

Again, true. And mental zoning can be due to daydreaming, concentrating on a spell, focusing on not passing gas, tiredness, etc. So while one may not that someone is slightly distracted, it would be hard to saye exactly why he is so.

 

[Infiniti2000]

True, but if the TV set was in a 60 ft wide area and all you were trying to do is work out if it's on or off, you could do so without ever looking directly at it. That's analogous to what a paladin detecting evil is doing. He doesn't need to look directly at any individual, but just has to keep the person within a 60 ft cone.

What makes you say that? Why doesn't he have to look at every aura within the area on the third round? Note that if he doesn't look (i.e. doesn't maintain line of sight), then he doesn't actually discern its exact location.

 

[shilsen]

What makes you say that? Why doesn't he have to look at every aura within the area on the third round? Note that if he doesn't look (i.e. doesn't maintain line of sight), then he doesn't actually discern its exact location.

Line of sight doesn't necessarily mean he needs to be looking at it. And if he does, how long is it? If just a glance will do, how obvious is that? Note that the person concentrating can control a frightened mount in the same round, or load a hand/light crossbow, or mount or dismount from a horse, or stand up from prone, or ready/loose a shield. So if the person scans a 60 ft cone area for 3 seconds, how noticeable is that?