So what does a Wall of Force look like?

[Phoenix1985]

Greetings all. I've lurked for far too long so I thought I'd try this posting thing

So I've been wondering what, exactly, a Wall of Force looks like. I was playing a wizard against a friend who had a fighter, won initiative, and cast a wall of force. Fighter doesn't know what wizard's chanting and hand-waving means, charges, and breaks his nose and several teeth running into it. The two of us got into a ten minute second argument about whether or not that was a valid tactic, or whether there ought to be some kind of momentary ripple in the air or something when a wall of force gets created.

Does anyone know if there is? I've been looking through DMG and PH, but there doesn't seem to be anything about it other than that a wall of force is just 'invisible'. Also, if a wall of force is invisible, what do you see if you look at it with See Invisibility?

 

[Dandu]

Glass panel. No reflection.

 

[airwalkrr]

Pretty much what Dandu said. It is a wall of force, a plane of sheer magical force that doesn't occupy any space or give any hint as to its existence, until you bump into it, that is.

Now I would allow an individual wizard to choose to have the wall of force be faintly visible if he so desired. I'm all for allowing players to add visual effects to their spells so long as they don't affect the actual function of the spell. But in the case you describe, clearly the wizard intended the wall of force to be a "trap" so it is invisible. I don't know why this caused a 10 minute argument though. Sounds like a DM with poor control over the game.

Edit: Also, see invisibility wouldn't reveal its presence, as the spell says it allows you to see invisible creatures and objects, but doesn't say anything about invisible spells. Detect magic would allow you to detect the presence and location of the wall if you focused long enough, as would arcane sight and greater arcane sight.

 

[Theo R Cwithin]

I think the easiest ruling is to say it's invisible, period. Adding other little descriptors (like the ripple) could be cool, but runs the risk of changing how the spell can be used in certain contexts. I'd probably reserve those extra special effects for detections, Spellcraft checks, freaky mimes, or other instances when it can be perceived.

As for what it looks like with see invisibility, I'll disagree with airwalkrr: as an effect, i believe it's as much an object as a Wall of Stone, and as visible as a summoned invisible stalker. It's actual appearance with see invisbility is up to the DM, though I'd likely keep it simple: "a featureless, slightly translucent wall about X feet high and yay big across".

Alternatively, ""This Wall of Force looks to be a little bigger than a Wall of Threece, but only half as large as a Wall of Eightce. It is faintly octarine in color."

 

[Vegepygmy]

Also, see invisibility wouldn't reveal its presence, as the spell says it allows you to see invisible creatures and objects, but doesn't say anything about invisible spells.

I disagree, for the same reason the_orc_within does: wall of force is an Effect spell and creates an object (in this case, a wall) out of magical force.

And frankly, I wouldn't read the spell description so literally anyway. My ruling would be that see invisibility reveals invisible spell effects such as mage armor despite the fact that it isn't technically an Effect spell.

 

[Pergentile]

Just because something is transparent doesn't mean it should be considered "invisible". Make a DC30 spot check to see a difference in the air. . .

 

[Theo R Cwithin]

Just because something is transparent doesn't mean it should be considered "invisible". Make a DC30 spot check to see a difference in the air. . .

. . . except that Wall of Force (and mage armor?) is called out specifically as being invisible, not merely transparent.

However, you do make a good pointt. By the RAW for invisibility, it's a DC40 Spot check to discern an invisible inanimate object.

 

[Dandu]

Just because something is transparent doesn't mean it should be considered "invisible". Make a DC30 spot check to see a difference in the air. . .

Meh, moot point as Fighters don't get Spot as a class skill.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I'd say its invisible, but with this caveat: there should be a chance to spot it if there are environmental conditions that would be affected by its appearance. For example:

1. If the WoF was cast in an area through which many flying birds or insects were trying to pass, they should be knocked out of the air and pile up at the wall's base- which an observant PC might notice.
2. If the WoF is preventing water, mudslides, wind or the like from affecting the people on the other side, that would be noticeable.

 

[Gilladian]

Smoke, dust, rain or other particulate matter in the air might eventually also reveal the presence of a WoF.

Also, does dirt or other material that gets deposited on the wall eventually cause it to show up? An ancient wall in a dusty environment might be pretty easy to see, in this case.

However, as far as the fighter charging while the wizard casts; I wouldn't even give him the DC 40 chance to spot, because his attention is fully engaged by his charge.