D&D 5E Invisibility and torchlight

[Ovinomancer]

I am on the "still sheds light bt torch/flame invisible" side of the ruling.

That said, I usually have underdark critters react unfavorably to light, just as you or I would if someone shined a flashlight in our eyes in the middle of a dark night. That is, yes, it kills invisibility in some regards, but really, it's just a floating point source of light. If I were a giant spider, that would bother me and I would avoid it until I adjusted to the light, and then I'd ignore it bobbing about because, you know, I am a giant spider.

Light = food, though. Only food carries light in the underdark.

 

[empireofchaos]

Another problem, if I recall correctly, is that giant spiders have blindsight/tremorsense.

I think that applies specifically to characters stepping on webs, though they made so much noise the spiders knew they were coming anyway. Unfortunately, the ettercap shepherding the spiders rolled a "1' during his surprise action, and it was all downhill for the monsters from there. He and I had a little talk on Monday morning, and he will not be returning to work.

 

[lowkey13]

*Deleted by user*

 

[empireofchaos]

The giant spiders become lost in thought, as they contemplate the nature of reality in the Underdark. Belatedly, one of the giant spiders realizes that each of them is only a shadow on the Underdark cave wall, a reflection of the true form of the giant spider, likely cast by an invisible torch.

Advantage on stealth due to philosophical confusion.

That would work only if the spiders were chained, and incapable of turning their heads in another direction.

And woe to the spider who broke out to look at the sun of truth, and returned to convince its arachnid comrades that their life in the Underdark was a mere illusion...

 

[iserith]

I'd rule that the character and torch are invisible, but not the light it sheds.

I'd also have one of the giant spiders take a liking to the wildshaped druid, move to block the PCs' path, and initiate its mating display. "What do you do?"

 

[Noctem]

 

[Azurewraith]

That would work only if the spiders were chained, and incapable of turning their heads in another direction.

And woe to the spider who broke out to look at the sun of truth, and returned to convince its arachnid comrades that their life in the Underdark was a mere illusion...

Reciprocate ofc

 

[Umbran]

Advantage on stealth due to philosophical confusion.

Or, at least a decent narration of the ettercap rolling a 1....

 

[Shiroiken]

That's a good compromise solution - though it would largely negate the benefits of the invisibility spell as per the ruling.

Not entirely.

With invisibility, they have a chance to sneak past without a fight, but without they either have to fight or leave the human (or whatever) behind. Best case, they get past the spiders with some smart play and lucky dice rolls. Worse case they get into a fight they wanted to avoid, but most of the party should have advantage on the first round.