Can detect Magic detect polymorph spells ?


Rules Questions


If a spellcaster is polymorphed into another form with Beast Shape spells or Alter Self - would a detect magic reveal the deception? What exactly would it reveal - a magic aura of the transmutation school?


Detect magic only reveals the school of magic, not the spell.


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For alter self, you could discern a faint aura of alteration magic with a DC 17 Knowledge (Arcane) check, or identify the effect as an alter self spell with a DC 22 check. For other spells, adjust the DCs accordingly.
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Table:Knowledge Skill DCs wrote:

Identify auras while using detect magic: Arcana / 15 + spell level

Identify a spell effect that is in place: Arcana / 20 + spell level


Thanks Zaister. Harder to trick spellcasting PCs than I thought. Instead of having an enemy spy on them in animal form via Beast Shape - I'll have to make it a Familiar or perhaps an awakened animal companion...


keep in mind themed have to cast the spell then concentrate to identifyvwhatvspells are onnthe badguy. chances are said bad guy will see them doing it.


Magic Aura is your friend. Just cast this after using Alter Self and you're golden. No more detect magic.


That is a neat little trick. Thanks mdt - Magic Aura is now my new bffe.


Magic Aura effects an item up to 5lbs per caster level.

If you wanted to be inconspicuous there are spells for that:
Non-Detection
Misdirection
Magic Aura

If a person wanted to they could probably create a magic item that uses to use Misdirection & Magic Aura to conceal the magical properties of any items and detect themselves as say a mundane living thing. If a NPC makes casual use of polymorph spells it's not out of the realm of possibility for them to have such an item.

Or they could simply stay well out of the range of the 60ft radius of detect magic.


Yep, sorry, forgot to list Misdirection in the post above. You'd want to use both as a GM for keeping things secret.

I've always thought Misdirection should be on the Permanency list. Same with Magic Aura.


Question.
Detect is a focussed spell that really isn't useful until round 3 where str and location of the aura is revealed?

Assuming they have reason to suspect...

Round 1: There is magic somewhere within the 60 foot cone in front of you
Round 2: There is pathetically weak magic somewhere in the 60 foot cone in front of you.
Round 3: That person has some breed of Transmutation on them. (DC Passed) It's probably an alter self.

Casting a spell is not a subtle 'oh... I look around'. It's a spell that requires being preoccupied with your attention focussed on it, and arcane hand signals and formulaic words. Someone willing to invest that amount of effort and concentration for 20 seconds? I'd say that by that point, its not checking, it's confirming. There may also be social niceties about casting which they can use to their advantage. Eg. Casting a spell at a noble's party might be frowned upon.

Also remember that it IDs that "The creature in front of you is using a Beast Shape 3". Doesn't tell you that they are a Mature Red Dragon in their natural form. For that I believe you need to invest in true seeing.


Amulet of proof against detection and location is probably more efficient and not too expensive. However if you have no magic items on you a simple misdirection spell or custom magic item that duplicates the spell or a scroll/wand works just as well and is oodles cheaper for the purpose you're talking about.

The amulet messing with skrying, clairaudience/clairvoyance, locate object. Is sort of the icing on the cake.

Non-Detection is the best, but it's a 3rd level spell.

Misdirection is cheaper as a 2nd level, but you've got to go in without magic items. Magic Aura can fix the falling of Misdirection, but it's another spell and needs to be applied to every item you bring with you.

Some method of my villains to have Non-detection is normally a staple for in their creation. It makes the game too simple if the party can easily skry and die the BBEG or detect a carefully polymorphed spy with a cantrip.


Ecaterina Ducaird wrote:
Also remember that it IDs that "The creature in front of you is using a Beast Shape 3". Doesn't tell you that they are a Mature Red Dragon in their natural form. For that I believe you need to invest in true seeing.

Detect Magic doesn't even tell you that much. All it tells you, after staring at the creature for 3 rounds,assuming you make your skill check, is that there is a transmutation aura of x strength on the creature, and transmutation is a school that covers a lot of very different effects.


sunshadow21 wrote:
Ecaterina Ducaird wrote:
Also remember that it IDs that "The creature in front of you is using a Beast Shape 3". Doesn't tell you that they are a Mature Red Dragon in their natural form. For that I believe you need to invest in true seeing.
Detect Magic doesn't even tell you that much. All it tells you, after staring at the creature for 3 rounds,assuming you make your skill check, is that there is a transmutation aura of x strength on the creature, and transmutation is a school that covers a lot of very different effects.

Yeah but the little birdie that's been following you giving off any magic much less a faint aura of transmutation or registering as evil from detect evil is a pretty easy tip off.

Likewise, with a commoner or NPC who shouldn't otherwise have reliable access to such spell casting, with common sense applied.

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