Scrying - Does it have to be a problem spell?

[Falling Icicle]

Alot of people have been talking about the "problem spells" of past editions. I've been thinking about scrying, and it occurred to me that the main problem with it is that it allowed you to scry on someone even if you had little to no information about them or links to them. If the new scrying ritual absolutely requires a link (clothing, hair, blood, etc) to the person, it shouldn't create any problems. If the DM doesn't want the players to scry the BBEG early in the story, he can simply withold the necessary objects from the players until he wants them to have that option.

 

[WyzardWhately]

Alot of people have been talking about the "problem spells" of past editions. I've been thinking about scrying, and it occurred to me that the main problem with it is that it allowed you to scry on someone even if you had little to no information about them or links to them. If the new scrying ritual absolutely requires a link (clothing, hair, blood, etc) to the person, it shouldn't create any problems. If the DM doesn't want the players to scry the BBEG early in the story, he can simply withold the necessary objects from the players until he wants them to have that option.

I don't really view it as a problem, it's just part of the setting. People scry on each other. Countermeasures get developed, which are hopefully imperfect.

 

[Fallen Seraph]

D&D is Gattaca!

I think too, that needing a substance is a good counter-measure. But also, why does scrying need to be crystal-clear. It could be the DM is allowed to give hints, ie: The figure seems to be draped in a black robe, muffled cries can be heard in the distance. Thats it.

 

[JohnSnow]

Scrying isn't the problem.

Scrying + Teleport is the problem.

It wouldn't be so bad for you to cast a spell that lets you see halfway across the world if you couldn't then cast another spell that let you cross that distance.

So Scrying is fine. But you shouldn't be able to teleport to places you've only scried.

My two cents.

 

[marune]

Scrying + Teleport is the problem.

Scrying + Buffing + Teleport as the no brainer tactic is the problem.

 

[Mostlyjoe]

When one of your PCs takes a combination of feat/class choices to get 15+? questions for the gods a day around level 7...it gets messy.

 

[StarFyre]

...

no spells are problem spells if the DM is experienced enough to handle them in the campaign and he/she thinks about what to do about them before allowing them in the campaign, if they do/do not desire.

Sanjay

 

[Spatula]

Scrying isn't the problem.

Scrying + Teleport is the problem.

It wouldn't be so bad for you to cast a spell that lets you see halfway across the world if you couldn't then cast another spell that let you cross that distance.

So Scrying is fine. But you shouldn't be able to teleport to places you've only scried.

My two cents.

Agreed. Or to be more specific, using scry (buff) & teleport to assassinate people. There are counters, but they all rely on high levels of magic (mind blank), and possibly being tied down to one spot (forbiddance).

 

[Saeviomagy]

Scry on it's own is fine. In fact it can be positively beneficial for the campaign, because you as a DM have complete discretion on what the players find out.

Scry + teleport is even workable.

Scry + super powerful short-term buffs + teleport is untenable.

Edit: Whoops, missed the most important bit -

It looks like super powerful short-term buffs are gone in 4e. So at worst we're at "workable" with scry.

 

[hong]

Scry + teleport + true strike + diamond nightmare blade --> dead lich in 1 round is great fun, ONCE.