Identify spell

[axehand]

under 3.5 did they make the identify spell so that it tells you everything about the item now? As a DM if someone casts it do I just say for example +3 bastard sword or Potion of jumping. (Except on artifacts ofcourse). Thanks for any help.

 

[der_kluge]

It reveals the single-most powerful function of an item. So, if it's a +3 sword, that's what it would reveal. If it's a potion of jumping, that's what it would reveal.

If it's a +3 sword that also casts find traps 1/day, it won't reveal that.

 

[AuraSeer]

It reveals the single-most powerful function of an item.

That's not correct. You're thinking of the 3.0 version.

The spell now reveals all magic properties of one item, including activation and remaining charges. That includes everything in the DMG writeup, including the magnitude of any bonuses and the name of whatever spells it casts.

 

[axehand]

thanks guys. I kinda thought it was like what AuraSeer said just wanted to make sure.

 

[Ferox4]

oops! Sorry...

 

[Ferox4]

So what's the use of Analyze Dweomer? Just artifacts?

 

[Savage Wombat]

Analyze Dweomer is now pretty much a different spell. It lets you look over someone in combat and say, "well, he's wearing Plate Mail of Etherealness and Boots of Speed..."

 

[Ferox4]

Hmmm. That is interesting.....cool

 

[AuraSeer]

So what's the use of Analyze Dweomer? Just artifacts?

Identify has a lot of drawbacks. It has a one-hour casting time and an expensive material component. Since it works on only one item, you need to spend the time and money for every single magic item you find. In addition, you must touch the item, which will occasionally subject you to unpleasant effects.

Analyze dweomer has a one-action casting time, and works on one item per level. There's an expensive focus, but it's not consumed by the spell, so it'll work out to be cheaper than identify after just one or two castings.

AD is potentially useful in combat, since it works on creatures as well as items. It can be nice to know all the details of your enemies' buff spells, especially when the opposition is very magic-heavy and has had time to prepare.

Also, the spell can come in handy when your DM is a trap fiend. When you detect an unexpected magic aura, or you're suspicious about the Shiny Valuable Item On A Pedestal, or your rogue finds a magic trap, analyze dweomer can tell you exactly what the trap is and how it would be triggered.