It appears to me that detecting scry is extremely easy and i just want to run it by every one to see if i am understanding it correctly.
Scenario. My group is sitting next to a camp fire and the enemy casts scry targeing me.
1) First if i have casted detect scrying in the last 24 hours i know i am being scried immediately, no questions asked AND i can make an opposed check for a chance to glimps the person scrying me.
Also if i happen to be in a lead lined room, tent, sleeping bag or possibly fedora i again automatically sense the scrying even as i avoid its effect.
- no real questions here
2) i dont have detect scrying up but I get a will save vs the scry normally about a dc 14 save correct?
- If i make the save the scry just fails, do i know some one attempted to scry me? Or does the spell simply fail to find me?
- If i fail the save i get scried. An invisible sensor finds me and can see me and 10 feet around.
3) having failed the save there is a scry sensor floating up there looking at me. I dont sense the scry but i get an automatic perception vs dc 24 or so to notice the scry sensor.
- can others in my group attempt to notice the sensor?
Note. I am purely asking RAW here, i am not trying to figure out how a guy sleeping in a lead lined room know that some one has attempted to scry him i am just trying to understand the rules for future consideration.
Assuming you mean the Scrying spell.
2) Your save DC could be a lot higher. If the other person has met you firsthand but has no items of yours, the save DC will be at least 16 (4 for spell level and 2 for the caster's ability score which must be 14 or higher to cast the spell) - actually, it will likely be a little higher because 7th level spellcasters usually have more than a tiny little 14 in their casting ability score.
But if the person scrying you knows you well, or has something that belonged to you, the save DC gets even higher. On the other hand, if he has nothing of yours and has never met you, then your save DC gets easier.
From the Core Rulebook on Saving Throws: "Succeeding on a Saving Throw: A creature that successfully saves against a spell that has no obvious physical effects feels a hostile force or a tingle, but cannot deduce the exact nature of the attack." So you know something magical happened if you save but you don't know exactly what.
3) Everyone can get a chance to observe the sensor. Any other ruling means that your companions cannot see what you can see, such as an orc sneaking up on your camp, or a bandit about to spring an ambush. Maybe there are times when the GM might only want one person to make a perception check, like if the rest are sleeping or behind something with no line of sight. All the rest of the time, everyone can make an attempt to perceive anything within their line of sight.
DC 24 is sadly low. I've had people in my groups around level 7 or so (the same level as whoever is casting the Scrying spell) who can easily make that with a Take-10. I suggest treating it with all the other rules of "Invisibility", specifically, if the sensor is not moving it should get another +20 to the Perception DC, but that's more like RAI rather than RAW.
My NPC villains have a general tactic. They scry on the player with the lowest Will save to start with, then they figure out a way to befriend the party using their information. Afterwards, when they've become familiar with the players they either scry on other members secretly or they just tell the players outright that they want to "check up on them" every now and then.
At higher levels it can get a bit tricky, but it usually works out. Plus charming an ally of the players is another good way to become "familiar" without actually meeting them.
Also, the DC 24 perception only applies if you can see invisible targets, and don't forget range penalties too. Just saying.
Actually im not sure you have to be able to see invisible as "invisibility" mechanically is just an increase to dificulty to see.
So invisibility is +40 for a non moving targer. +20 for a moving target.
Does that mean the sensor is 20+SL + 40(20) for invisibility? If so would it not be more clear? As writen the argument for a standard scry could be 24, 44, or 64 depending on how you read it and the situation at the time....
According to JJ it seems the spell is supposed to suck.. Basically its a the way i see it now its basicly a way to add a sense of danger as the enemy makes his presence known rather than a true spying tool.
Am i the only one who read the first time
"detecting when you are being screwed on by the RAW"?
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Also if i happen to be in a lead lined room, tent, sleeping bag or possibly fedora i again automatically sense the scrying even as i avoid its effect.- no real questions here
Better make that a question, as your reading of the rules is incorrect.
Read the citation below. "You" in all the text is the one casting the spell, not the target.
So the caster know that is spell is blocked, not the target.
Scrying: A scrying spell creates an invisible magical sensor that sends you information. Unless noted otherwise, the sensor has the same powers of sensory acuity that you possess. This level of acuity includes any spells or effects that target you, but not spells or effects that emanate from you. The sensor, however, is treated as a separate, independent sensory organ of yours, and thus functions normally even if you have been blinded or deafened, or otherwise suffered sensory impairment.
A creature can notice the sensor by making a Perception check with a DC 20 + the spell level. The sensor can be dispelled as if it were an active spell.
Lead sheeting or magical protection blocks a scrying spell, and you sense that the spell is blocked.
They were still a bit startled when one of the sensors emitted a bolt of energy that dissipated the other one (home spell research is a great thing, and the wizard in question had been waiting a long time to bust out that particular scroll!)
LOL! I wantz this spell, please post it!
Counter scrying that "shocks" the other guy. My gawd! So awesome!