Spot checks vs. Invisibility

[gfunk]

Could someone please explain to me if Spot checks can be used to detect invisible creatures? In the DMG it is pretty clear about Listen check DCs and modifiers to hear invisible creatures.

But what about Spot checks? It looks like there is a flat DC 30 for active, invisible creatures and DC 40 for inanimate objects. Does this allow one to pinpoint the square occupied by the invisible creature?

 

[kreynolds]

Does this allow one to pinpoint the square occupied by the invisible creature?

Beating the DC by 20 allows you to pinpoint the invisible creature. See page 44 of the ELH.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Could someone please explain to me if Spot checks can be used to detect invisible creatures? In the DMG it is pretty clear about Listen check DCs and modifiers to hear invisible creatures.

But what about Spot checks? It looks like there is a flat DC 30 for active, invisible creatures and DC 40 for inanimate objects. Does this allow one to pinpoint the square occupied by the invisible creature?

You should be able to spot an invisible creature. I'd add the same bonus to the creature's hide chack as the one that is added to move silently checks. He could make a depression in the ground, or maybe he has displaced a fine layer of dirt or dust. Nothing every stableboy would see, but a hawkeye will notice.

 

[Apok]

Could someone please explain to me if Spot checks can be used to detect invisible creatures? In the DMG it is pretty clear about Listen check DCs and modifiers to hear invisible creatures.

But what about Spot checks? It looks like there is a flat DC 30 for active, invisible creatures and DC 40 for inanimate objects. Does this allow one to pinpoint the square occupied by the invisible creature?

Making a DC 30 Spot check will let you detect the presence of an active invisible creature in the vicinity. To pinpoint the exact square he occupies (so you can target him) you would need to make a DC 50 spot check if I recall correctly.

Either way, the invisible creature still gets his normal bonuses (50% miss chance, denies opponents Dex, etc).

 

[jgsugden]

What I've always found odd is that they didn't bother to include size in these rules. Detecting an invisible flea is as difficult as detecting an invisible tarrasque. There are some obvious house rules to apply (applying size modifiers), but I just find it odd that they didn't bother to make them real rules.

 

[Hypersmurf]

What I've always found odd is that they didn't bother to include size in these rules. Detecting an invisible flea is as difficult as detecting an invisible tarrasque.

Not many people know just how sneaky that tarrasque can be...

-Hyp.