On a failed save, the spell creates an invisible sensor within 10 feet of the target. You can see and hear through the sensor as if you were there. The sensor moves with the target, remaining within 10 feet of it for the duration. A creature that can see invisible objects sees the sensor as a luminous orb about the size of your fist.
Yes, the sensor is detectible but intangible to those that can see invisible things. Interaction, no. Dispel magic, yes.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” - Mark Twain - Innocents Abroad
I don't see it saying anything about the sensor being intangible, only that it is luminous. I also believe that orbs are physical objects in 5e that weigh 3 lbs. Just because the spell only clarifies a way to see the sensor does not mean that it is intangible.
I don't see it saying anything about the sensor being intangible, only that it is luminous. I also believe that orbs are physical objects in 5e that weigh 3 lbs. Just because the spell only clarifies a way to see the sensor does not mean that it is intangible.
The use of the word orb in the spell description is merely describing its shape, not a physical item that might be available for purchase in a shop.
The spell doesn't mention any limitations as to its movement (i.e. moving through closed doors if the subject walks through one and shuts it behind them) nor does it specify how its perception abilities might be blocked (e.g. by putting a cloak over it) and it doesn't give it an AC or HP, so it can't be damaged. All of these suggest that whether tangible or intangible, it cannot be interacted with, only its presence can be detected (if you can see through its invisiblity).
In general, spell effects can only be interacted with if the spell specifies how, or the effect being used specifies that it can interact with spells (now I'm pondering a monk path with abilities such as 'spellpuncher').
You'll note that the description says that the observer "...sees the sensor as...", not "the sensor is". It is describing what the magical effect looks like, not what it's comprised of. The spell description doesn't give specifics on how a 3rd party can interact with it other than through observation. That's the limit of the ability to interact with it other than through dispel magic or any other anti-magic field that makes it go away.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” - Mark Twain - Innocents Abroad
Intangible and spectral are not mechanical game terms, they are descriptive words to assist with DM adjudication. They are also not in the spell description at all, so it's already shaky ground to extrapolate that from other spell effects and features. The only actual mechanical term we have to go off here is invisible, which prevents nothing except detection by regular sight. It goes on to say that someone who can see invisible things can see the sensor.
If the intention was for the sensor to be indetectable beyond the definition of invisible, it would have been described as such. It was not, so it is not.
So yes, blindsense should absolutely be able to detect it. As for actually interacting with it aside from dispel magic, yeah that part is up to the DM. This is where descriptive words would give the DM some help, but unfortunately none are to be found here.
On a failed save, the spell creates an invisible sensor within 10 feet of the target. You can see and hear through the sensor as if you were there. The sensor moves with the target, remaining within 10 feet of it for the duration. A creature that can see invisible objects sees the sensor as a luminous orb about the size of your fist.
An invisible creature is impossible to see without the aid of magic or a special sense. For the purpose of hiding, the creature is heavily obscured. The creature's location can be detected by any noise it makes or any tracks it leaves.
From this its invisible as per anything under an invisibility spell. However it specifically states if a creature can see invisible objects they can see it as a glowing orb. Also like an illusion it has no physical existence, otherwise it would have a statblock (like a familiar). Thus if they had blindsight, they couldnt "see it" if their sense comes from sound as its silent, physical media (sensing air move) nor would a fireball destroy it since it has no physical existance. Detect magic or a strange form of blindsight from sensing magical energy should reveal it since its an entity conjured with a magical effect, as would something sighted with see invisibility or truesight. As far as I can tell you can only find out your being scryed upon if you happen to cast detect magic or see invisibility as an average player or creature, and it can only be 'destroyed' by a dispel magic. Since it merely has to be in range (which it will be at 10 foot) and the spell just needs a general target in range you don't technicly need to see the scrying orb to get rid of it, but you do need to be told its there or see it. (antimagic will supress it too).
On the upside for people afraid that scrying's happening, the orb does not impart any special senses on the caster. So if they try and scry on that goblin shaman, and he happens to be inside his torchless cave, then good luck to the caster seeing anything if they dont have darkvision themselves.
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That's a fair point.
Per the spell description:
Yes, the sensor is detectible but intangible to those that can see invisible things. Interaction, no. Dispel magic, yes.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” - Mark Twain - Innocents Abroad
I don't see it saying anything about the sensor being intangible, only that it is luminous. I also believe that orbs are physical objects in 5e that weigh 3 lbs. Just because the spell only clarifies a way to see the sensor does not mean that it is intangible.
The use of the word orb in the spell description is merely describing its shape, not a physical item that might be available for purchase in a shop.
The spell doesn't mention any limitations as to its movement (i.e. moving through closed doors if the subject walks through one and shuts it behind them) nor does it specify how its perception abilities might be blocked (e.g. by putting a cloak over it) and it doesn't give it an AC or HP, so it can't be damaged. All of these suggest that whether tangible or intangible, it cannot be interacted with, only its presence can be detected (if you can see through its invisiblity).
In general, spell effects can only be interacted with if the spell specifies how, or the effect being used specifies that it can interact with spells (now I'm pondering a monk path with abilities such as 'spellpuncher').
You'll note that the description says that the observer "...sees the sensor as...", not "the sensor is". It is describing what the magical effect looks like, not what it's comprised of. The spell description doesn't give specifics on how a 3rd party can interact with it other than through observation. That's the limit of the ability to interact with it other than through dispel magic or any other anti-magic field that makes it go away.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” - Mark Twain - Innocents Abroad
Intangible and spectral are not mechanical game terms, they are descriptive words to assist with DM adjudication. They are also not in the spell description at all, so it's already shaky ground to extrapolate that from other spell effects and features. The only actual mechanical term we have to go off here is invisible, which prevents nothing except detection by regular sight. It goes on to say that someone who can see invisible things can see the sensor.
If the intention was for the sensor to be indetectable beyond the definition of invisible, it would have been described as such. It was not, so it is not.
So yes, blindsense should absolutely be able to detect it. As for actually interacting with it aside from dispel magic, yeah that part is up to the DM. This is where descriptive words would give the DM some help, but unfortunately none are to be found here.
My homebrew subclasses (full list here)
(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm
On a failed save, the spell creates an invisible sensor within 10 feet of the target. You can see and hear through the sensor as if you were there. The sensor moves with the target, remaining within 10 feet of it for the duration. A creature that can see invisible objects sees the sensor as a luminous orb about the size of your fist.
An invisible creature is impossible to see without the aid of magic or a special sense. For the purpose of hiding, the creature is heavily obscured. The creature's location can be detected by any noise it makes or any tracks it leaves.
From this its invisible as per anything under an invisibility spell. However it specifically states if a creature can see invisible objects they can see it as a glowing orb. Also like an illusion it has no physical existence, otherwise it would have a statblock (like a familiar). Thus if they had blindsight, they couldnt "see it" if their sense comes from sound as its silent, physical media (sensing air move) nor would a fireball destroy it since it has no physical existance. Detect magic or a strange form of blindsight from sensing magical energy should reveal it since its an entity conjured with a magical effect, as would something sighted with see invisibility or truesight. As far as I can tell you can only find out your being scryed upon if you happen to cast detect magic or see invisibility as an average player or creature, and it can only be 'destroyed' by a dispel magic. Since it merely has to be in range (which it will be at 10 foot) and the spell just needs a general target in range you don't technicly need to see the scrying orb to get rid of it, but you do need to be told its there or see it. (antimagic will supress it too).
On the upside for people afraid that scrying's happening, the orb does not impart any special senses on the caster. So if they try and scry on that goblin shaman, and he happens to be inside his torchless cave, then good luck to the caster seeing anything if they dont have darkvision themselves.