In the last session of a game I am running one of the players suggested that a PC should be able to identify any spell that they themselves know when someone else casts it. For example, a cleric should recognize every spell on their spell list that another cleric casts without needing a spellcraft check, as long as the spell is not being cast with metamagic enhancements. (For most classes this would be restricted to a much smaller group of spells known.) I did notice that specialist wizards get a +2 bonus to identify spells of their school, but aside from this there is no mention of bonuses or automatic successes on spells that the PC knows.
edit: Also, the rules associated with the counterspell action seem to make the automatic identification a definite no, but what about bonuses?
I see the player's logic, but I ruled against it because I feel like it might work against game balance. I do feel like the character making the spellcraft should get some bonus though. What are the RAW on this?
Rules are you have to make a spellcraft check to ID a spell. It doesn't matter if its a spell you know, or even if it's your most favouritest specialised loved to pieces spell - you still need to make a spellcraft check to ID it if someone else casts it.
I usually think of it as most spellcasters individualising the spell slighlty, adding a little flourish for the yokels, or maybe even a bit lazy, cutting a corner here and there. In the same way that every Wizards spellbook is written a little differently. Ofcourse you can't stray too far from the formula, which is why it can be ID'd.
"Identify Spell Being Cast
Identifying a spell as it is being cast requires no action, but you must be able to clearly see the spell as it is being cast, and this incurs the same penalties as a Perception skill check due to distance, poor conditions, and other factors."
Those are the rules for using Spellcraft to identify. The DC is 15+spell level. There is no bonus for having the spell on your list. You were RAW correct in your ruling.
As far as game balance, the DCs to identify spells are trivial for anyone who invests in Spellcraft after a certain point. If your players have invested as such I'd probably only make them roll for obscure or high level spells just to speed up combat.
Your player is wrong. There is no rule saying every spell is cast in the exact same manner.
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Your player is wrong. There is no rule saying every spell is cast in the exact same manner.
You were correct in your ruling, as such. But keep in mind that the rules for circumstance bonuses, in the GM's discretion, could provide a +2 bonus to identify certain spells. Thus, you would ALSO be correct, as a GM, if you gave a +2 circumstance bonus for the PC to identify a spell that the PC actually knows (in spell book or on list of spells known). You would be even more generous if you gave the circumstance bonus for any spell on their class spell list (but IMO might be going too far).
Your player is wrong. There is no rule saying every spell is cast in the exact same manner.You were correct in your ruling, as such. But keep in mind that the rules for circumstance bonuses, in the GM's discretion, could provide a +2 bonus to identify certain spells. Thus, you would ALSO be correct, as a GM, if you gave a +2 circumstance bonus for the PC to identify a spell that the PC actually knows (in spell book or on list of spells known). You would be even more generous if you gave the circumstance bonus for any spell on their class spell list (but IMO might be going too far).
I think he is asking about the rules in the book before any GM modifications. I wouldn't give him a +2, but he might be a nicer GM than me. :)
The player is making the assumption that spells are cast exactly the same by everyone (i.e., there is only one Fireball spell). If that were so, then a case could be made to lower the DC or give them a bonus if the spell is one they know.
By RAW, you are correct to rule against this.
I definitely agree that identifying spells should not be automatic.