Deathwatch and invisible creatures

[Bruno Kristensen]

Hi,

A Question arose in our CC game tonight, where the Cleric used Deathwatch while encountering an invisible undead.

Deathwatch states:

"Using the powers of necromancy, you can determine the condition of creatures near death within the spell's range. You instantly know whether each creature within the area is dead, fragile (alive and wounded, with 3 or fewer hit points left), fighting off death (alive with 4 or more hit points), healthy, undead, or neither alive nor dead (such as a construct). Deathwatch sees through any spell or ability that allows creatures to feign death."

It doesn't say that you must be able to actually "see" the creatures, thus suggesting that you would know where the invisible undead creature was and therefore at least know which square to attack (with a 50% miss chance).

Is that a reasonable reading? Or how would they interact?

[seebs]

A fascinating question. I would probably rule that deathwatch makes you aware of the creature's health, but not necessarily which square it's in. I might give you the direction to it, approximately.

[Corbin Dallas]

Deathwatch cannot be used to discern the square a creature occupies.

Spells like Detect Evil can, but they require concentration and don't reveal the possible location until the 3rd round of continuous use.

[StreamOfTheSky]

I could see it being interpreted that way, OP. But I think between being deathwatch and the references to "seeing" the condition of creatures, it is intended that you need to actually view a creature to determine its status.

Besides, it is already decent for what it does, also acting as blindsense is too powerful.

[Sitri]

Michael Brock wrote:

Patrick Harris @ SD wrote:

Why do we need a special ruling to point out that a level 1 spell doesn't duplicate the effects of a level two or three spell (to wit, See Invisibility) and then some? It's obviously intended to be used only on creatures already perceived. The idea is, when I look at a creature, I know its condition. Anyone arguing that you can use this spell to reveal creatures they weren't aware of is trying to pull a fast one, and no GM should allow it.

This nails my response. It is intended to be used only on creatures already perceived.

You have to be able to see the creature to instantly know whether each creature within the area is dead, fragile (alive and wounded, with 3 or fewer hit points left), fighting off death (alive with 4 or more hit points), healthy, undead, or neither alive nor dead (such as a construct).

It doesn't magically advise or let you see or know there is an invisible creature or a very stealthy creature in the area and what the health and condition of that creature is.

http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2p1t1?DeathwatchNo-Ambushes-Pinpoint-all-Invisi ble#1

[Bruno Kristensen]

Thanks, so just to be sure, the cleric won't be able to know there's an invisible creature somewhere in the area just based on Deathwatch?

[StreamOfTheSky]

No. Deathwatch does not give you blindsense. Nor some weaker "direction only" version, either.