Detect Alignment really isn't a very powerful ability in most cases.
If you're dead set that it is overpowered or you're running a campaign where it actually is, house rule a limit of 3 + Wis modifier/day.
How is it unbalanced?
It takes 3 rounds to focus in on specific creatures. Anyone less than 5 hit dice is immune unless they are a Cleric, Paladin, or somehow have a good descriptor. And they have no major mechanical benefit to knowing people's alignment. Doesn't seem that powerful to me.
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Well, it takes 3 rounds to see if someone's [insert alignment here], and you can only concentrate on one of those spells at a time. None of his class features really relies on enemies being a certain alignment (except for maybe Protection from [insert alignment here], but that's really neither here nor there). So, you automatically can know what the rest of the party's exact alignment is, so you know what to expect... The Paladin's detect evil ability allows them to single out someone for detection as a move action, which is far more useful because he has class features that depend on evil stuff and he can't afford to waste too much time.
Personally, I'm going to be playing a CN Inquisitor of Cayden Cailean who isn't too picky about his comrades, but loathes to see anyone abuse their power.
Also, has anyone else ever thought that Eagle Vision in Assassin's Creed seemed like a sort of Detect Alignment spell?
Detect Evil will tell you if there is an evil presence in the area (evil alignment), studying them will let you know about their auras and and how many auras there are.
So how is it balanced that one character can walk around and at will detect the alignment of every single monster/character/npc? Presence or absence of the [insert alignment] happens on round 1 of this spell.
Or am I missing something? What happens if you detect evil on a LE NPC? or Detect good on a CG Character? In my understandings both times it will tell you that there is the presence of Evil/Good.
You are correct, an inquisitor will be able to given enough time, and people cooperative to stay in a 60ft cone, can determine their alignments. What exactly are you worried about here? That he can figure out where people are? That he will know alignments?
Or am I missing something? What happens if you detect evil on a LE NPC? or Detect good on a CG Character? In my understandings both times it will tell you that there is the presence of Evil/Good.
So you figure out somebody is Lawful Evil, what then? Even if they are the only evil in the room full of suspects, it isn't evidence of murder.
A character happens to be Chaotic Good. Great! They still might be an enemy.
Other than you know one or two extremely vague character traits, what good does it really do you to know what alignment somebody is?
Detect Evil will tell you if there is an evil presence in the area (evil alignment), studying them will let you know about their auras and and how many auras there are.
So how is it balanced that one character can walk around and at will detect the alignment of every single monster/character/npc? Presence or absence of the [insert alignment] happens on round 1 of this spell.
Or am I missing something? What happens if you detect evil on a LE NPC? or Detect good on a CG Character? In my understandings both times it will tell you that there is the presence of Evil/Good.
Keep in mind that ordinary NPCs (or monsters) with fewer than 5 hit dice don't have alignment auras unless they are Clerics, Paladins, Outsiders, or Undead.
Just because someone is a certain alignment and the party is a different alignment doesn't mean they're necessarily enemies. In theory, CG and LG work together about as well as LE and LG.
If you keep seeing the same NPC over and over again, there's no reason they couldn't scan them even without an Inquisitor present. If you want to fool your players within the rules, and without resorting to tricks, just have him start off as a level 5 aristocrat who won't radiate any alignment. After they're convinced of their non-unpleasant alignment, have them start gaining levels in something a bit more deadly.
If you're dealing with the same NPCs throughout an adventure and one main guy keeps getting you to do work for him, and you know he's LE, CN, CE, etc. It changes how you will respond to him. This can potentially ruin foreshadowing or future encounters if the PCs suspect the BBEG way to early in the adventure.
I guess there are always the dirty tricks of Undetectable Alignment.
Well why would they treat a CN character any differently? I mean i would assume most people are somewhere in the neutral range anywhat. And as for LE and CE, a paladin would already break up that party.
If you're dealing with the same NPCs throughout an adventure and one main guy keeps getting you to do work for him, and you know he's LE, CN, CE, etc. It changes how you will respond to him. This can potentially ruin foreshadowing or future encounters if the PCs suspect the BBEG way to early in the adventure.
I guess there are always the dirty tricks of Undetectable Alignment.
There are also magic items that prevent divinations. My CG Cleric is using one to prevent people from knowing I am not Lawful, so I can impersonate a Paladin.