Invisibility and Detect Spells

[wizzo]

If something is invisible can you still detect one of it's auras (e.g. Magical, moral/ethical, etc.)?

[Ultradan]

I don't think so... In order to detect magic, evil, or plants (lol), the target must be visible. Otherwise, it would render the detect invisibility spell pretty useless.

Ultradan

[Callum]

The d20 SRD wrote:

Invisibility does not thwart detect spells.

[Rezdave]

wizzo wrote:

If something is invisible can you still detect one of it's auras (e.g. Magical, moral/ethical, etc.)?

This question should probably be in an FAQ or Sticky for these boards :-)

Anyway, a quick search turns up several threads, including THIS ONE that I think will answer all your questions in good detail.

HTH,

Rez

[Saern]

Ultradan wrote:

I don't think so... In order to detect magic, evil, or plants (lol), the target must be visible. Otherwise, it would render the detect invisibility spell pretty useless.

Ultradan

My interpretation is technically incorrect, but I rule that yes, it does (detect), and no, it doesn't (obviate invisibility).

[Hunterofthedusk]

detect spells alway take 3 rounds to detect the general area of the auras, so it at best an ineffective way of finding them unless they are one of those few rare invisible monsters that stand still after a character casts a spell.