In real life a telescope that magnifies x2 is worthless.
You may think that, but a lot of rifle scopes used for close quarter battle are in the 1.5-4x range, I think it's almost a military range standard to use that type of optic out to 200m, but I know they are sometimes invaluable in friend or foe identification in dynamic environments at the 25-50 yard range. I could see a rogue using an equivalently powered device it to "spot check" an encampment's permitter, maybe even useful in identifying paths of infiltration, a sense of how adversaries are armed, and maybe things like insignia and other intelligence of immediate value, not just ships. Also more useful to get a precise number beyond "some people." I mean modern weapons optics of that sort fit in the palm of your hand, but I think they're visual acuity is in line with the capacity of this spyglass, and given the above applications, there's utility there.
The first ones I know of were in in the early 1600's and was x3. Galilleo got it up to x23. They were first used for astronomy, not much use for adventurers.
Sure maybe no one terrestrially engaged would use a 23x telescope, but again 3x is plenty useful for mariners, and both maritime and land based explorers.
I would allow you to use them to attempt to investigate things at a distance. Specifically, I would allow a perception check to see something far away, such as a ship or army in the distance, but with a telescope I would allow you to see their flag or other identifying materials.
I'm left unclear, you would allow perception checks to spot things at long distance, like Most DMs, but with a scope they can make out the flag? I'd use them to allow for a "spot check" of say they see the cave opening, the spyglass could give visual information that a rouge would otherwise have to stealth up to to know, rather than stealthing up because they already know. Might even given them advantage to sneak if they specify looking for the most advantageous approach etc. It's like literally an intelligence tool.
I could also see allowing for magical telescopes to increase the range of or grant certain spells.
Compare to the spell sniper feat? There's a RAW option that if attained doubles spell range, ignores 3/4 cover (that's interesting) and you gain a cantrip.
I presume the magic scope wouldn't grant the cantrip.
What I don't get is does this magical telescope in itself become a ranged spell focus (I could picture this for artificers)? Or does the telescope get put down before casting (which I think there'd be a lot of objections). Or are you presuming tripods, which definitely aren't for optics in the spyglass range.
Of course I believe spell sniper doesn't presume its the caster's vision is what's needing enhancement, but the actual magics ability to reach the target before the spell Peters out.
Now I'm thinking of a magical spyglass that can cast weather related spells at extended long range.
You may think that, but a lot of rifle scopes used for close quarter battle are in the 1.5-4x range, I think it's almost a military range standard to use that type of optic out to 200m, but I know they are sometimes invaluable in friend or foe identification in dynamic environments at the 25-50 yard range. I could see a rogue using an equivalently powered device it to "spot check" an encampment's permitter, maybe even useful in identifying paths of infiltration, a sense of how adversaries are armed, and maybe things like insignia and other intelligence of immediate value, not just ships. Also more useful to get a precise number beyond "some people." I mean modern weapons optics of that sort fit in the palm of your hand, but I think they're visual acuity is in line with the capacity of this spyglass, and given the above applications, there's utility there.
Sure maybe no one terrestrially engaged would use a 23x telescope, but again 3x is plenty useful for mariners, and both maritime and land based explorers.
I'm left unclear, you would allow perception checks to spot things at long distance, like Most DMs, but with a scope they can make out the flag? I'd use them to allow for a "spot check" of say they see the cave opening, the spyglass could give visual information that a rouge would otherwise have to stealth up to to know, rather than stealthing up because they already know. Might even given them advantage to sneak if they specify looking for the most advantageous approach etc. It's like literally an intelligence tool.
Compare to the spell sniper feat? There's a RAW option that if attained doubles spell range, ignores 3/4 cover (that's interesting) and you gain a cantrip.
I presume the magic scope wouldn't grant the cantrip.
What I don't get is does this magical telescope in itself become a ranged spell focus (I could picture this for artificers)? Or does the telescope get put down before casting (which I think there'd be a lot of objections). Or are you presuming tripods, which definitely aren't for optics in the spyglass range.
Of course I believe spell sniper doesn't presume its the caster's vision is what's needing enhancement, but the actual magics ability to reach the target before the spell Peters out.
Now I'm thinking of a magical spyglass that can cast weather related spells at extended long range.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.