Check to notice a Psychic Spell?

[joeyfixit]

Without Verbal and Somatic components, what does it take for a non-psychic to notice that a Psychic spellcaster is casting a spell?

It's understood that a psychic spell provokes an attack of opportunity, but in the magic thread one gamer's interpretation was that this was due to concentration/ letting a person's guard down.

This came up tonight as a real in-game decision that the GM had to make when it came to which target the goblin was going to smack. For flair's sake I had my Psychic grab his temples and grit his teeth as he dropped the gob's buddy with a Mind Thrust, which made GM's call easier.

But if a Psychic caster doesn't give the game away, how does an NPC - or even another PC - know that the Psychic spell went off? Is it just the recipient of the spell, who now has a psychic connection to the caster whether a save was made or no? What about non-psychic (mentally affecting) spells like magic missile?

[AlanDG2]

Well, it does take concentration...and it DOES take material components in some cases.

The thing is, most spells will be noticeable..that is kind of a default. Your magic missiles fly from your fingertips. It would be like a Sorcerer with Silent Spell and Still Spell...even though they can not tell exactly what he is doing everyone will know he is up to SOMETHING as he stands there focused on his target bringing up his THOUGHT component and EMOTION component...

[RogueMortal]

Dylos wrote:

Mark Seifter wrote:

Dylos wrote:

It would not be obvious, as psychic magic users do not make gestures (a somatic component) or verbally announce that they are casting a spell (verbal component) as the play-test states, psychic spells are purely mental actions, and they can be performed even while the caster is pinned or paralyzed.

However, fear effects would prevent casting of psychic spells, so the court could include someone who intimidates everyone every round in order to prevent psychic spells if they think they would occur.

There's a thread from Jason near the beginning of Pathfinder (so a whiles back) where people asked him this question about spell-like abilities and silent stilled spells. At the time, he said that they all have some obvious manifestation, thus allowing people to take their AoO or roll Spellcraft (both of which still work on SLAs and stilled silent spells).

At least counter-spelling should work then.

So no, no way to use spells, Psychic or not, and avoid letting people know what you're doing. Even with feats.

[AlanDG2]

Well, none we know of.

[Game Master]

One of the Devs posted, on this forum, "You can always notice a spell. Psychic spells are no exception."

I'm gonna assume that there's some kind of visible manifestation when casting, like ripples in the air or something.

As far as hiding spells, I'm pretty sure there's a feat or skill usage which lets you make a check to hide or disguise the casting, but I'm not sure.

[Psyren]

Game Master wrote:

As far as hiding spells, I'm pretty sure there's a feat or skill usage which lets you make a check to hide or disguise the casting, but I'm not sure.

There was in 3.5, dunno about PF.

[joeyfixit]

Game Master wrote:

As far as hiding spells, I'm pretty sure there's a feat or skill usage which lets you make a check to hide or disguise the casting, but I'm not sure.

The only one I've ever heard of was a feat where bards could make the spell seem like just part of their performance. Saved my bacon a few times.