The see the unseen debate

[apesamongus]

Part of the problem appears to be that they cheaped out on text in Complete Arcane. They tried to do an entire new classes abilities using as little text as possible.

Yup, that's exactly what the problem is. There should be a stat block on the invocations, just like for spells, with lines for duration, save, SR, and whatever else.

 

[farscapesg1]

By the exact wording of the ability, the character would not get the See Invisibility for a 24 hour duration.

Of course, it doesn't really matter that much since the warlock can just "reactivate" the power when he wants. I don't exactly see the problem with playing it wither way though. In reality, the character would just reactivate it if it doesn't last 24 hours.

 

[ThirdWizard]

The main difference being you arn't going to keep recasting it all day if you expect no combat. So, in the average day when you don't expect invisible opponents about, you won't have it up with the shorter duration ruling, but you would always have it up if you say it's on 24 hours a day. The importance therein varies from campaign to campain.

 

[Particle_Man]

I think it would be easier to consider it 24 hours. But even at 10 minutes per level (100 rounds per level!) I don't see the difference making a difference. Surely the Warlock could have a standard operating procedure that includes auto-recasting every time it runs out.

 

[Particle_Man]

The main difference being you arn't going to keep recasting it all day if you expect no combat.

I would! Why not? It is free, after all. I don't mind taking 6 seconds every 10 minutes (later, ever hour, later every 3 hours) to do this. Even people who live in non-combat areas could use a little insurance in a magical world. And it would be justified if I found something invisible or ethereal even once by doing this.

 

[ThirdWizard]

It's sort of the equivalent of running a spyware or virus check on your computer every few hours. Anyone can do it, but how many of us actually do it? After sitting around town for a few days with nothing interesting happening, do you really think a guy is going to keep using see invisibility every few hours, really?

Maybe I run an odd game, with PCs not usually wearing all their magical gear around town every day, waiting for a surprise around every corner, though...

 

[Particle_Man]

It's sort of the equivalent of running a spyware or virus check on your computer every few hours. Anyone can do it, but how many of us actually do it?

That would be me too, I guess.

 

[ThirdWizard]

That would be me too, I guess.

Touché.

 

[Thanee]

Maybe I run an odd game, with PCs not usually wearing all their magical gear around town every day, waiting for a surprise around every corner, though...

After the third time, they run into a surprise, they will.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Sleeping Dragon]

It's sort of the equivalent of running a spyware or virus check on your computer every few hours. Anyone can do it, but how many of us actually do it? After sitting around town for a few days with nothing interesting happening, do you really think a guy is going to keep using see invisibility every few hours, really?

If my checks only lasted six seconds I certainly would.