Scry

Queenie · Jan 25, 2004

Can someone explain how Scry works? You have the spell. Do you need a focus (mirror or ball) to use with the spell? Do you need the spell for a scrying mirror? Do you need it for a crystal ball? Help!!

Steve Jung · Jan 25, 2004

Hi Queenie,

For 3.0, from the PHB page 248:
Arcane Material Components: The eye of a hawk, an eagle, or even a roc, and nitric acid, copper, and zinc.
Wizard, Sorceror, or Bard Focus: A mirror of finely wrought and highly polished silver costing not less than 1,000 gp. The mirror must be at least 2 ft. by 4 ft.
Cleric Focus: A holy water font costing not less than 100 gp
Druid Focus: A natural pool of water.

You don't need the spell for a crystal ball, but you need the Scry skill to use the spell or the crystal ball properly.

For 3.5:
same components and foci, but there is no Scry skill anymore.

Does this answer your question?

Queenie · Jan 25, 2004

Steve Jung said:
Hi Queenie,

For 3.0, from the PHB page 248:
Arcane Material Components: The eye of a hawk, an eagle, or even a roc, and nitric acid, copper, and zinc.
Wizard, Sorceror, or Bard Focus: A mirror of finely wrought and highly polished silver costing not less than 1,000 gp. The mirror must be at least 2 ft. by 4 ft.
Cleric Focus: A holy water font costing not less than 100 gp
Druid Focus: A natural pool of water.

You don't need the spell for a crystal ball, but you need the Scry skill to use the spell or the crystal ball properly.

For 3.5:
same components and foci, but there is no Scry skill anymore.

Does this answer your question?

Ok, So in 3.5, playing a Wizard, If I use the spell I need the mirror. If I use the crystal ball I don't need the spell?

I think so, thanks for answering!

Silveras · Jan 25, 2004

Queenie122 said:
Ok, So in 3.5, playing a Wizard, If I use the spell I need the mirror. If I use the crystal ball I don't need the spell?

I think so, thanks for answering!

First, in 3.5 the Scry skill is gone. It was the only case where you needed a skill to use a spell and/or magic item. That seemed clunky to the designers, so they removed it. Now, the target gets a Will saving throw.

In 3.5, if you have a Crystal Ball or other magic item that works like the Scry spell, you can just use it. If you have the Scry spell, you can use that with a mirror, to accomplish the same thing. Note that, if you have the Scry spell and the Craft Wondrous Items feat, you can eventually make a Crystal Ball.