Shield spell and See Invisibility

[Artoomis]

See Invisibility

The character sees any objects or beings that are invisible, as well as any that are astral or ethereal, as if they were normally visible.

The spell does not reveal the method used to obtain invisibility, though an astral traveler is easy to identify if he has a silver cord. It does not reveal illusions or enable the character to see through opaque objects. It does not reveal creatures who are simply hiding, concealed, or otherwise hard to see.

Shield creates an invisible, mobile disk of force that hovers in front of the character...

Hmmm......

I guess you have to decide why the disk is invisible.

If it is invisible because it is naturally invisible like air (you can't see it, can you?). the see invisibility will do nothing. "Normally visible" air is invisible.

I think an effect of pure force simply has nothing to see, thus it is invisible. Note that whetever you decide it applies to a Wall of Force as well:

A wall of force spell creates an invisible wall of force...

Just food for thought...

 

[kreynolds]

I guess you have to decide why the disk is invisible.

If it is invisible because it is naturally invisible like air (you can't see it, can you?). the see invisibility will do nothing. "Normally visible" air is invisible.

I think an effect of pure force simply has nothing to see, thus it is invisible.

Them's been my thoughts too.

 

[Caliban]

My thinking is that if it has a shape and it's invisible, you can see it with see invisibility. A shield explicitly has a shape. It's an invisible disk.

You can't see "air" because there is no object or creature for the spell to detect. Air molecules are obviously not objects as far as spells are concerned, otherwise, you have to explain why air doesn't block line of effect for every single spell. In any case, air molecules are to small to see. They are "effectively invisible", they are not magically invisible.

 

[kreynolds]

My thinking is that if it has a shape and it's invisible, you can see it with see invisibility.

That kinda makes sense, and I see where you're coming from, but something just doesn't feel right.

They are "effectively invisible", they are not magically invisible.

True, but keep in mind that the Invisible Stalker is magically invisible, not naturally, which is why you can see it with see invisibility and true seeing.

 

[jontherev]

No hard and fast rules here imo. It takes a little adjudication by the DM. I picture the Shield or Wall of Force appearing as a shimmering and slightly transparent (the shimmering would possibly cloud one's view slightly...1/4 concealment for the Wall maybe?) disc or wall of energy. It's hard to describe really. I've seen it a million times in cartoons and comics though.