Timing of losing invisibility

[Malicain]

Ok, so my NPC is invisible and he is going to cast scorching ray on a PC. A PC is holding his action for when the NPC becomes visible. Does the NPC become visible as soon as he starts to cast the spell or at the resolution of the spell?

[moon glum]

I have always ruled that the invisible character performs the attack, and that makes them then (after the action is performed) become visible. That way invisible rogues can sneak attack (for 1 attack, I don't let them take a full round of attacks) etc.. I would say that if you just start to cast a spell, you haven't actually attacked yet.

[wraithstrike]

I say it is at the point that you are making the attack roll which means the spell has been cast, and the ray is already off.
My reason: The casting of a spell is not a hostile action. The attack or targeting portion is.
You should not have to make a concentration check.

[Cheapy]

Once the attack happens, they are no longer visible. So once the first scorching ray hits or misses, the invisibility goes bye-bye.

Think about it as if you were an invisible rogue. The first attack is a sneak attack, then invisibility drops. The remaining attacks are not sneak attacks if they wouldn't be normally.

[Quantum Steve]

Cheapy wrote:

Once the attack happens, they are no longer visible. So once the first scorching ray hits or misses, the invisibility goes bye-bye.

Think about it as if you were an invisible rogue. The first attack is a sneak attack, then invisibility drops. The remaining attacks are not sneak attacks if they wouldn't be normally.

Scorching Rays are simultaneous, full-attacks are not.

[lastblacknight]

seconded...

Note that some spells get around this.Cure Light Wounds, Bless, Magic Weapon, Telelport etc...