Odd question: what skills would be involved in seeing a caster use a spell a pin point his component pouch?

[noble peasant]

My dream is to be a rogue, my fav class unchained or not, and steal the big bad wizard boss's spell component pouch. So I was wondering what would need to be done locate this pouch of stuff.

[jbadams]

You would make a Perception skill check to notice the location of the pouch, with a DC to be determined by your GM. I would not expect it to be overly difficult unless the caster has specifically taken unusual measures to make it so, as a component pouch is usually described as simply hanging from the caster's belt and would be regularly used by the caster. You would probably start with a base DC of 0, and then add the appropriate modifiers (described on the linked page) for the distance and possibly for distracting conditions.

[CampinCarl9127]

As long as the rogue is aware of what spell component pouches are, jbadams is absolutely correct. A perception check (IMHO an easy one) to notice what is probably strapped to his belt.

[Matthew Downie]

If you've seen the caster reach into their pouch to pull out their spell components, it should be very easy.

Sensible wizards will carry more than one pouch, though.

[Crimeo]

perception for the size of the relevant perceptual information. In the case of having seen a spell cast with it, it would be the entire set of arm movements related to material preparation, or about a small sized visual target. If not seeing it used to cast, then tiny size target or so. Both trivial from melee distance.

Then just steal or sunder CMB.

[LazarX]

Matthew Downie wrote:

If you've seen the caster reach into their pouch to pull out their spell components, it should be very easy.

Sensible wizards will carry more than one pouch, though.

Sensible wizards would break up their pouch into folds all over their robes.

Also, keep in mind that there are spells that don't need that pouch at all.

[Crimeo]

Quote:

Sensible wizards would break up their pouch into folds all over their robes.

The bag has magical properties that keep all those live spiders alive in extradimensional terrariums, etc. Everyone knows you can't just put the stuff in a robe, good god man!

[Master of Shadows]

Fairly certain that the component ouch itself is a mundane object and doesn't detect as magical on its own from a rules standpoint. Maybe if the wizard is carrying extraordinary components in it, but the base item no. However, feats like eschew materials will make this tactic less than stellar. If your GM is like me, it's likely to only be effective once against any given caster, so don't leave him alive if possible.

Edit: It may not be particularly effective then, at least not as more than a temporary measure. The sequence of events goes like this; you steal the component pouch on your turn, he takes a 5' step out of your reach and casts teleport on his action (verbal components only). When next you meet, he will be prepared for you. And if you think it unlikely to happen that way, let me just say that I have never in 20 years made a caster without some form of teleportation magic beginning as early as possible.

[alexd1976]

I love giving my BBEG Eschew Materials, but having them still use the component pouch...

PCs often target it, thinking they are so clever... it's nice when they occasionally realize that BBEG can be clever as well.

:D