Turning & Rebuking?

[Magic Rub]

This came up in our session last night. Do the undead have to be facing or have notice of your Holy symbol in order to be turned or Rebuked? Say you are in battle with 6 vampires (nasty nasty death for you!). 3 of those vampires are engaged with you, or are facing your direction, all have a clear line of sight to you, none of witch have any thing close to 100% cover. The other 3 are not aware of your presence, or are engaged with some one else across the room, none of the 3 have a "line of sight" to you. There Back, bums, &/or legs may be visible to you, & you could hit them with say a magic missile but they in no way are able to see you or your holy symbol. They do not have 100% cover.

Now is Turning & Rebuking similar to a Gaze attack. This is what I'm currently thinking as the PHB & the DMG both make reference to 'Brandishing" the holy symbol, denoting a possible focal point much the same as a gaze attack. Or is it based on if the Turn/rebuker can see the target regardless of if the Undead can see the (or even be aware of) the Turn/rebuker.

Please also take into account the following additional questions when you give your reply please.

1. If the Turn/rebuker is "improved invisible", & can clearly see the Undead can they be turned?
2. Can the Turn/rebuker simply stick his/her holy symbol in to a partly open door or arrow slit where the undead within have 90% cover, but have no idea that the cleric or his holy symbol are present. Can the undead be turned?

 

[AuraSeer]

Do the undead have to be facing or have notice of your Holy symbol in order to be turned or Rebuked?

No, turning is not a gaze attack; it is a positive energy effect. The undead flee not from the sight of your symbol, but from the positive energy you call forth. Even if they're not aware of your presence, they'll become aware right quick as soon as the turning takes effect.

[Incidentally, note that there is no such thing as "facing" in D&D combat. Combatants are assumed to be looking in all directions to guard against attacks. If you're in single combat with one monster, and a basilisk comes up behind you, you are still subject to accidentally getting stoned.]

1. If the Turn/rebuker is "improved invisible", & can clearly see the Undead can they be turned?

Yes, invisible clerics can turn undead.

2. Can the Turn/rebuker simply stick his/her holy symbol in to a partly open door or arrow slit where the undead within have 90% cover, but have no idea that the cleric or his holy symbol are present. Can the undead be turned?

100% cover blocks the effect, but lesser cover does not. If you have line of effect to a creature, it is subject to your turning. Depending where creatures beyond that slit are standing, some of them may have 100% cover from you, but anything you can see can be affected.

 

[Magic Rub]

Thanks for clearing that up Aura, the details in the PHB & DMG were just a touch on the blurry side last night, but long sessions will tend to do that.

So turning is indeed like "Turning" on a holy (or unholy) light bulb of justice! oops, & Sorry too much of the Tick, will tend to do that.

[Incidentally, note that there is no such thing as "facing" in D&D combat. Combatants are assumed to be looking in all directions to guard against attacks. If you're in single combat with one monster, and a basilisk comes up behind you, you are still subject to accidentally getting stoned.]

And incidentally, I was aware of this. Which is why I made reference to the Gaze attack rules. However thank you for pointing this out.