roges and the alarm spell

[fl8m]

can rogues use a search check to discover the alarm spell or any other spell placed on an area like mordenkanins faithful hound or any of the symbols?

 

[Shin Okada]

If the spell says that is a magical trap, like Explosive Runes, Fire Trap, Glyph of Warding, Snare, Spike Growth, Spike Stones, Symbol, Teleportation Circle, and so on.

Alarm and Mordenkainen's Faithful Hound are not magical traps. Thus a rogue can't find those spells by making Search checks.

 

[Tessarael]

I believe anyone with Rogue levels and Search can look for magical traps. A security alarm is a trap in the classic sense: it's something that is triggered by your presence, you don't want it to go off, and you will search for it. As such, I think the Alarm spell should be discoverable by a thief (DC 25 + spell level).

There is also a +4 bonus to find magical traps when there are several abjuration spells within 10 feet of each other for 24 hours or more. This should actually somewhat discourage a spellcaster from laying a whole lot of abjuration spells on the same area.

I believe looking for Mordenkainen's Faithful Hound would be a Spot check rather than Search, and See Invisibility would help. Though it wouldn't be unreasonable to let them use Search methinks ...

 

[Tessarael]

Just had a look at Mordenkainen's Faithful Hound in the PHB. It's a Conjuration spell, summoning an invisible hound. You can't search for it normally (well you could if it were to stay still without attacking you , but See Invisibility or a high DC Spot check (20 if the Hound is moving, 40 if it is stationary I guess judging by 3.5E spoilers that we've heard).

 

[niteshade6]

The problem is that alarm covers an entire area, it doesn't have a single trigger point. It's really no more of a trap then other long lasting area spells like desecrate, hallow, anti-magic shell, etc.

 

[bret]

By that logic, a collapsing floor (collapses when there is too much weight), a pivoting floor, or a sliding staircase also wouldn't be traps?

There are also sorts of traps that cover an area and have more than a single trigger.

 

[Darklone]

Silver wire or something like that was the material component...

I always ruled that you can find and disable an alarm spell. At least in low level games, the rogues had a hard time to do so while making their move silently and hide checks all the time.

 

[Shin Okada]

Silver wire or something like that was the material component...

Well, actually, those things are "focus". So not actually there once the spell is cast.

 

[crater]

Alarm, like many other spells which you might think would be, is not in the lists of spell traps that can be searched for and disarmed, which are given repeatedly throughout the spell listings in PHB. The obvious concusion is that you cant search for it.

However, its an Alarm!! People put these things in place to stop you taking their stuff. Magic or not, a rogue should be able to search for it and attempt to disable it! Otherwise it would be like saying to a fighter "Yes its a monster, but you cant fight it!"

And the logic of the situation...I like the silver wire spell component idea that was mentioned. If you can get your head around disarming glyphs then this should be easy.