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Community
General Tabletop Discussion
*Dungeons & Dragons
Why does Invisibility work against undead?
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<blockquote data-quote="steeldragons" data-source="post: 7168797" data-attributes="member: 92511"><p>I would probably "wing it" (but consistently within the world/throughout a campaign) based on the undead's general level of power and origins.</p><p></p><p>"Mindless" undead, like skeletons and zombies (some lesser mummies, perhaps) I would probably rule simply don't have any perception greater than they had in life...and, well, they're "mindless," simple animated husks being directed by whatever force is animated, no actual "will" or capacity [or very limited] to "discern." So, Invisibility [as produced by general magic: spells, items, potions] is going to work just fine on them.</p><p></p><p>Ghouls, depending on how you play them, might also fall into that category. But, mindless or not, I would submit that ghouls might also present the same quandary as, say, a wolf (or bear or bloodhound or shark if you're bleeding in the water). Does typical magical "Invisibility" hide your scent? I think the answer is clearly a "no." But it is certainly open to interpretation.</p><p></p><p>Assuming a "no," I would say the ghouls, maybe wights as well (definitely vampires, for that matter) have a very good chance of "sniffing" you out when Invisible by the mere presence of your blood and flesh/general "living" bodily odor. Though they would not, "see" you. </p><p></p><p>Wights, vamps, and ghouls as well I guess, would almost certainly receive Infravision (still simply "Darkvision" per 5e). Being able to make out your bodily [living] heat. Though, in the case of magical Invisibility, I would rule the "cloaking" magic blocks -at the very least- infra- and ultra-vision as well...and so, bypasses 5e's Darkvision.</p><p></p><p>From Wraith on up...ghosts, "greater" mummies, vampires, spectres, liches, death knights...anything that is generally "free-willed" and able to discern I would say has a "Life SENSE" [Note: not "sight"]. A capacity to detect the presence of living souls/spirits, "radiant" energies, etc... </p><p></p><p>Like a reverse Paladinic "Divine Sense," or even the Ranger's "Primeval Sense" (or whatever it's called) that susses out undead/necrotic/evil concentrations of energies. Maybe starting at 30' rad. for the lower end, up to 50' or 100' for the "top-tiered" most powerful undead. </p><p></p><p>They're the one's that will notice "hey, there's a living soul<s> slinking through my domain."</s></p><p><s></s></p><p><s>For these undead, I would say that your typical [2nd level spell grade] Invisibility isn't going to cut it. Invisibility sphere? No dice. That's just normal invisibility over an area. I'd probably make "Improved Invisibility" [what is that, now? a 4th level spell? 5th?] ok.</s></p><p><s></s></p><p><s>PS: Additional note on liches, I would think they all have a permanent "Detect Magic" radiating from their eyes...so just about any type of Invisible, "Life Sense" or not, you're going to be lit up like Chinese New Year to a lich.</s></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="steeldragons, post: 7168797, member: 92511"] I would probably "wing it" (but consistently within the world/throughout a campaign) based on the undead's general level of power and origins. "Mindless" undead, like skeletons and zombies (some lesser mummies, perhaps) I would probably rule simply don't have any perception greater than they had in life...and, well, they're "mindless," simple animated husks being directed by whatever force is animated, no actual "will" or capacity [or very limited] to "discern." So, Invisibility [as produced by general magic: spells, items, potions] is going to work just fine on them. Ghouls, depending on how you play them, might also fall into that category. But, mindless or not, I would submit that ghouls might also present the same quandary as, say, a wolf (or bear or bloodhound or shark if you're bleeding in the water). Does typical magical "Invisibility" hide your scent? I think the answer is clearly a "no." But it is certainly open to interpretation. Assuming a "no," I would say the ghouls, maybe wights as well (definitely vampires, for that matter) have a very good chance of "sniffing" you out when Invisible by the mere presence of your blood and flesh/general "living" bodily odor. Though they would not, "see" you. Wights, vamps, and ghouls as well I guess, would almost certainly receive Infravision (still simply "Darkvision" per 5e). Being able to make out your bodily [living] heat. Though, in the case of magical Invisibility, I would rule the "cloaking" magic blocks -at the very least- infra- and ultra-vision as well...and so, bypasses 5e's Darkvision. From Wraith on up...ghosts, "greater" mummies, vampires, spectres, liches, death knights...anything that is generally "free-willed" and able to discern I would say has a "Life SENSE" [Note: not "sight"]. A capacity to detect the presence of living souls/spirits, "radiant" energies, etc... Like a reverse Paladinic "Divine Sense," or even the Ranger's "Primeval Sense" (or whatever it's called) that susses out undead/necrotic/evil concentrations of energies. Maybe starting at 30' rad. for the lower end, up to 50' or 100' for the "top-tiered" most powerful undead. They're the one's that will notice "hey, there's a living soul[s] slinking through my domain." For these undead, I would say that your typical [2nd level spell grade] Invisibility isn't going to cut it. Invisibility sphere? No dice. That's just normal invisibility over an area. I'd probably make "Improved Invisibility" [what is that, now? a 4th level spell? 5th?] ok. PS: Additional note on liches, I would think they all have a permanent "Detect Magic" radiating from their eyes...so just about any type of Invisible, "Life Sense" or not, you're going to be lit up like Chinese New Year to a lich.[/s] [/QUOTE]
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