How to Find an Invisible Character

[KarinsDad]

One of the things that has come up in our game is that you cannot move into the square of another character (shy of grapple or overrun or tumble through or somesuch).

Hence, if there is an Invisible character in a square, the easiest way to find him is to merely move through his square and then be prevented from moving into it, hence, knowing that he is there. Granted, you might have to do this for several squares until you find the exact square he is in.

Is there anything in RAW that prevents this tactic?


I do know that with Overrun, the Invisible character can just let you pass by. But, this is not an Overrun, nor will you necessarily be continuing past with your movement here.

Of course, the "use a similar rule" rule from the DMG might allow the invisible character to sidestep the movement (as if the moving character was doing an Overrun), but what would happen if the ending character ended his movement on the same square? And even if he did not, would he get a bonus to his Spot roll to spot an invisible character in the same square?


PS. While we are on the subject of moving through opponent squares, could an opponent allow an attacker to Tumble Through their square according to RAW? Maybe just with the "use a similar rule" rule.

 

[Thanee]

Don't think this is really adressed in the rules.

Designated Exceptions: Some creatures break the above rules.

I'd use the above to argue, that you can move through a space occupied by an invisible creature, though if you happen to stop inside one you would be bumped back and then have an obvious hint for the location.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Seeten]

I'd do it this way: The invisible attacker can choose to allow you into the square, by moving. Like moving through an allied square. the reason you cant move through an enemy square is that they wont let you, generally, not that they are mystically different, so if they let you, it'd be just like an allied or empty square.

Thats how I see it, anyway.

 

[KarinsDad]

I'd use the above to argue, that you can move through a space occupied by an invisible creature, though if you happen to stop inside one you would be bumped back and then have an obvious hint for the location.

Even using this, it can stilll quickly become pretty apparent where an invisible creature is within tighter quarters like a 10 foot wide hallway. 4 PCs could seal off both ends and then move towards the middle (using readied actions so that the invisible NPC could not ready an action to slip through).

This sounds the most reasonable though.

 

[KarinsDad]

I'd do it this way: The invisible attacker can choose to allow you into the square, by moving. Like moving through an allied square. the reason you cant move through an enemy square is that they wont let you, generally, not that they are mystically different, so if they let you, it'd be just like an allied or empty square.

How about spacing and coordination issues?

Moving past someone still implies a certain amount of leeway on the part of both individuals so that you do not bump into each other.

Possibly a bonus to the Spot roll within 20 feet rule, but how much?

 

[Thanee]

Even using this, it can stilll quickly become pretty apparent where an invisible creature is within tighter quarters like a 10 foot wide hallway. 4 PCs could seal off both ends and then move towards the middle (using readied actions so that the invisible NPC could not ready an action to slip through).

This sounds the most reasonable though.

Yeah, if you make a "chain" to limit the options for the invisible character, I see nothing wrong there.

What I was mainly saying is, that invisible is obviously a special case not covered in the regular movement rules. At least I'd see it as such.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Nail]

Of course, the "use a similar rule" rule from the DMG might allow the invisible character to sidestep the movement (as if the moving character was doing an Overrun), but what would happen if the ending character ended his movement on the same square?

Thanks for the thread, KarinsDad.

I think the sidestep option might be okay, as long as the opponent doesn't end his movement there. Getting "bumped" out by an invisible PC might be kinda weird though.

BTW: if the invisible creature was Small, and the moving creature was Huge, would there even be a need to sidestep? And could the Small creature attack the huge creature without penalties while sharing his space?

 

[Pasus Nauran]

In the last campaign I was in, the party came across an enemy bandit leader who was Improved Invisible, and was blasting the crap out of the party with a magical gun (it was a custom campain). My character was a monk, and had a rough idea where the bandit leader was, but wasn't sure. In order to find him, I used a standard move (I think it was 50ft. at the time), to move into every square in a large area around where I though the enemy was.

The DM let the bandit attampt a sidestep, but I got a spot check (iirc) when he did, and (with a good roll) felt part of his touch me as he did. Thus ended the life of the Bandit Leader!

 

[Klaus]

Any character (ally or not, invisible or not) has the option to let you pass by his space. And you can't target a square with an Overrun, so you can't deny an invisible character the option to sidestep your charge by virtue of the Improved Overrun feat.

The closest way to find an invisible character in such a manner is the "grope about" option indicated in the Invisibility entry in the DMG (i.e., you choose a square or two and grope about, trying to feel if there's anything there. Hit AC 10 and, if there's a creature there, you'll know, and can target it on your next turn).

 

[KarinsDad]

Any character (ally or not, invisible or not) has the option to let you pass by his space. And you can't target a square with an Overrun, so you can't deny an invisible character the option to sidestep your charge by virtue of the Improved Overrun feat.

Do you have a rules quote for this?