The spell [spells]Nondetection[\spells] can make something/someone undetectable with any divination magic, including [spells]Detect Magic[\spells]. Anything that is invisible you can't see the magical aura around, but can still sense that something is near.
Craziest use I have seen was when my party was being stalked by an invisible predator, so we spread out our party and all cast detect magic to basically play Predator Hot/Cold. Once we had the general area, the Wizard and my Sorcerer dropped Sickening Radiance in the area, then surrounded it with Wall of Force. Predator microwaved!
Party member got pulled into a dark river wearing platemail by a water weird thing, couldn't see him. Cast DM to identify (as above) roughly where the magic sword was he was carrying. Heaved a grappling hook down and hauled him out when he grabbed it
I walked through a whole field of shattered bones with it on...and yup, a ring lit up. DM said I probably wouldn't have found it otherwise (really high DC). There was no reason to think a magic item was there, but I figured I'd try.
Different campaign (this one is Basic D&D)...when ever we find reasure...(think unearthing old buries skyship hangers, we get back to the skyship, spread everything out (including mundane stuff we find) and I cast the spell and see what lights up. Oh, the gloves, metal stick, 4 candles and an ornamental/decorative dagger (not a usable weapon) are lighting up!
The dagger wasn't actually magical in and of itself but the writing (riddle) on it was. The gloves are nearly indestructible, but don't stop the wearer from getting hurt. The candles are of truth. the stick is the tungsten rod (extendable, flexible, nearly indestructible).
A number of my characters cast it regularly before entering a large gathering - quickest way ever to tell who has what magic and Whois/isn’t dangerous. The bring everything and cast DM on it all was standard play back in the day, not sure why it faded out.
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Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
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What's the craziest use of Detect Magic you've ever done or seen? And is there like loopholes on what can the spell do?
The spell [spells]Nondetection[\spells] can make something/someone undetectable with any divination magic, including [spells]Detect Magic[\spells]. Anything that is invisible you can't see the magical aura around, but can still sense that something is near.
Craziest use I have seen was when my party was being stalked by an invisible predator, so we spread out our party and all cast detect magic to basically play Predator Hot/Cold. Once we had the general area, the Wizard and my Sorcerer dropped Sickening Radiance in the area, then surrounded it with Wall of Force. Predator microwaved!
Party member got pulled into a dark river wearing platemail by a water weird thing, couldn't see him. Cast DM to identify (as above) roughly where the magic sword was he was carrying. Heaved a grappling hook down and hauled him out when he grabbed it
Life's hard - get a helmet!
I walked through a whole field of shattered bones with it on...and yup, a ring lit up. DM said I probably wouldn't have found it otherwise (really high DC). There was no reason to think a magic item was there, but I figured I'd try.
Different campaign (this one is Basic D&D)...when ever we find reasure...(think unearthing old buries skyship hangers, we get back to the skyship, spread everything out (including mundane stuff we find) and I cast the spell and see what lights up. Oh, the gloves, metal stick, 4 candles and an ornamental/decorative dagger (not a usable weapon) are lighting up!
The dagger wasn't actually magical in and of itself but the writing (riddle) on it was. The gloves are nearly indestructible, but don't stop the wearer from getting hurt. The candles are of truth. the stick is the tungsten rod (extendable, flexible, nearly indestructible).
Food, Scifi/fantasy, anime, DND 5E and OSR geek.
A number of my characters cast it regularly before entering a large gathering - quickest way ever to tell who has what magic and Whois/isn’t dangerous. The bring everything and cast DM on it all was standard play back in the day, not sure why it faded out.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.