Was wondering what the books say about people detecting there's been a spell/ or likewise attempted on them. A few examples have "the creature knows you charmed it at the end of the spell" but what about those where it does not?
From PHB p. 204
Unless a spell has a perceptible effect, a creature might not know it was targeted by a spell at all. An effect like crackling lightning is obvious, but a more subtle effect, such as an attempt to read a creature’s thoughts, typically goes unnoticed, unless a spell says otherwise.
I understand in world's where magic is common the powers of deduction of the npc could figure out maybe he was influenced by a spell - however say he couldn't see or hear the caster and the affect was of a subtle nature like those of an illusion type would the npc be able to know it had been tricked? (I realize it's a unique situation just wanted to know)
In the case of Heart Sight by a sprite
The sprite touches a creature and knows the creature's current emotional state. If the target fails a DC 10 Charisma saving throw, the sprite also knows the creature's alignment. (MM, p.283)
Other than feeling a sprite touch them would they be aware of the affect? On a successful save? Unsuccessful ? Would it matter?
What's the rules opinion on innate abilities and NPC perception/recognition of them? Is their an official ruling on such? Trying to play by RAW and the fact it's not a "spell" makes me think it might be classified differently. Sorry for all the questions.
It sort of depends on the DM and the spell. The way I run it, the spell's components (verbal, somatic, material) can give away a spell being cast.
But in the event that the caster is unseen and out of earshot (or using subtle spell metamagic), the only thing that would give away the spell is the effect of the spell. If the spell does not describe a noticeable effect or that the target can tell they are targeted, I'd say they don't notice.
It sort of depends on the DM and the spell. The way I run it, the spell's components (verbal, somatic, material) can give away a spell being cast.
But in the event that the caster is unseen and out of earshot (or using subtle spell metamagic), the only thing that would give away the spell is the effect of the spell. If the spell does not describe a noticeable effect or that the target can tell they are targeted, I'd say they don't notice.
Cheers, yeah I'd say DMs call too. Any thoughts on the Sprite Heart Sight ability? As it's not a spell as such. That's the trickier one!
Any thoughts on the Sprite Heart Sight ability? As it's not a spell as such. That's the trickier one!
After reading the sprite's description, I'm not even sure the ability is magical in nature, but either way, I wouldn't think the target knows the had their heart read, just that the sprite touched them.
Great timing. I was just thinking about this yesterday. I am considering trying out something in my next session where I offer a player the chance to use his reaction to attempt to identify the spell that was just cast via an arcana check.. This won't come up a lot because the players don't run into enemy spell casters all that often. Most of the time, the spell that was cast is immediately obvious. But there are exceptions and this situation would apply to them. I figure the DC of the arcana check would depend on things like whether the person has access to that spell, whether they have seen the spell before, the level of the spell being cast, and/or the obviousness of the casting in terms of distance, visibility, etc.
Obviously, this is my own home rule and not a rule or game mechanic.
Great timing. I was just thinking about this yesterday. I am considering trying out something in my next session where I offer a player the chance to use his reaction to attempt to identify the spell that was just cast via an arcana check.. This won't come up a lot because the players don't run into enemy spell casters all that often. Most of the time, the spell that was cast is immediately obvious. But there are exceptions and this situation would apply to them. I figure the DC of the arcana check would depend on things like whether the person has access to that spell, whether they have seen the spell before, the level of the spell being cast, and/or the obviousness of the casting in terms of distance, visibility, etc.
Obviously, this is my own home rule and not a rule or game mechanic.
Actually there is this variant rule exactly in XGtE.
Was wondering what the books say about people detecting there's been a spell/ or likewise attempted on them. A few examples have "the creature knows you charmed it at the end of the spell" but what about those where it does not?
From PHB p. 204
Unless a spell has a perceptible effect, a creature might not know it was targeted by a spell at all. An effect like crackling lightning is obvious, but a more subtle effect, such as an attempt to read a creature’s thoughts, typically goes unnoticed, unless a spell says otherwise.
I understand in world's where magic is common the powers of deduction of the npc could figure out maybe he was influenced by a spell - however say he couldn't see or hear the caster and the affect was of a subtle nature like those of an illusion type would the npc be able to know it had been tricked? (I realize it's a unique situation just wanted to know)
In the case of Heart Sight by a sprite
The sprite touches a creature and knows the creature's current emotional state. If the target fails a DC 10 Charisma saving throw, the sprite also knows the creature's alignment. (MM, p.283)
Other than feeling a sprite touch them would they be aware of the affect? On a successful save? Unsuccessful ? Would it matter?
What's the rules opinion on innate abilities and NPC perception/recognition of them? Is their an official ruling on such? Trying to play by RAW and the fact it's not a "spell" makes me think it might be classified differently. Sorry for all the questions.
Cheers heaps!
It sort of depends on the DM and the spell. The way I run it, the spell's components (verbal, somatic, material) can give away a spell being cast.
But in the event that the caster is unseen and out of earshot (or using subtle spell metamagic), the only thing that would give away the spell is the effect of the spell. If the spell does not describe a noticeable effect or that the target can tell they are targeted, I'd say they don't notice.
Cheers, yeah I'd say DMs call too. Any thoughts on the Sprite Heart Sight ability? As it's not a spell as such. That's the trickier one!
Thanks for the response :)
After reading the sprite's description, I'm not even sure the ability is magical in nature, but either way, I wouldn't think the target knows the had their heart read, just that the sprite touched them.
Great timing. I was just thinking about this yesterday. I am considering trying out something in my next session where I offer a player the chance to use his reaction to attempt to identify the spell that was just cast via an arcana check.. This won't come up a lot because the players don't run into enemy spell casters all that often. Most of the time, the spell that was cast is immediately obvious. But there are exceptions and this situation would apply to them. I figure the DC of the arcana check would depend on things like whether the person has access to that spell, whether they have seen the spell before, the level of the spell being cast, and/or the obviousness of the casting in terms of distance, visibility, etc.
Obviously, this is my own home rule and not a rule or game mechanic.
"Not all those who wander are lost"
Actually there is this variant rule exactly in XGtE.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/compendium/rules/xgte/dungeon-masters-tools#Spellcasting
ok that's crazy. I wonder if I read over that without realizing it at some point. It seemed much cooler when I thought it was my idea :(
"Not all those who wander are lost"