For the duration, you can read the thoughts of certain creatures. When you cast the spell and as your action on each turn until the spell ends, you can focus your mind on any one creature that you can see within 30 feet of you. If the creature you choose has an Intelligence of 3 or lower or doesn’t speak any language, the creature is unaffected.
You initially learn the surface thoughts of the creature—what is most on its mind in that moment. As an action, you can either shift your attention to another creature’s thoughts or attempt to probe deeper into the same creature’s mind. If you probe deeper, the target must make a Wisdom saving throw. If it fails, you gain insight into its reasoning (if any), its emotional state, and something that looms large in its mind (such as something it worries over, loves, or hates). If it succeeds, the spell ends. Either way, the target knows that you are probing into its mind, and unless you shift your attention to another creature’s thoughts, the creature can use its action on its turn to make an Intelligence check contested by your Intelligence check; if it succeeds, the spell ends.
Questions verbally directed at the target creature naturally shape the course of its thoughts, so this spell is particularly effective as part of an interrogation.
You can also use this spell to detect the presence of thinking creatures you can’t see. When you cast the spell or as your action during the duration, you can search for thoughts within 30 feet of you. The spell can penetrate barriers, but 2 feet of rock, 2 inches of any metal other than lead, or a thin sheet of lead blocks you. You can’t detect a creature with an Intelligence of 3 or lower or one that doesn’t speak any language.
Once you detect the presence of a creature in this way, you can read its thoughts for the rest of the duration as described above, even if you can’t see it, but it must still be within range.
* - (a copper piece)
Can detect thoughts be used on a sentient object? They don't have intelligence scores, and it also says 'creature', so I'd assume no.
I saw this in my notifications. As far as I am aware - yes. Sentient objects count as creatures for the purpose of being mentally examined or controlled.
Awesome :)
Also, sentient objects, in particular ones that can communicate, have intelligence scores.
I didn't see that. I have to read them more carefully.
I don’t know about all of them, but the one you re trying it on does.
I think it works like if i am questioning you about a robbery and i ask "do you have any idea who did it" your surface thoughts would automatically go to "he has no clue it was me" or "oh no, it was probably dan" or "i dont ******* know" either way, if i cast detect thoughts on you during that conversation i would know the truth
Here's a list of what I've found plus what I can think of - some are already mentioned above. Obviously will require vetting by the DM.
- Detecting Invisible creatures / Anyone unseen that is following you
- Cheating at a game (cards/chess etc.)
- Root out betrayal during strategic meetings ("you fools, THAT is when I'll strike")
- Avoid NPCs if hiding
- Scan the area before committing a crime
- Tell whether something is an illusion/projection
- Help lure NPC: just disguise self as a friendly child/woman/elderly and ask whether they have someone "special" in mind. Use the image of who-ever it is and lure said NPC by having another party member/hired goon to escort either said person or yourself disguised as that special someone
- Detect disgruntled employees that you can approach at the tavern that can easily give you the dirt of their employer after a couple of drinks
- Find out:
= what will get that stubborn NPC to talk to you
= whether the NPC is selling at a good price or is telling the truth about a particular item or information
= what the guard at the door is expecting/guarding
= whether there are cultists behind closed doors
= whether someone is corrupt/taking bribes or are susceptible at taking bribes
= if NPC admires/looks up to anyone specific so you can get a better response from the NPC or just build rapport with them... or just shatter said person's pre-conception of their idol
I don't think its necessary to take the "action" to probe deeper (or shift to another mind):
"As an action, you can either shift your attention to another creature's thoughts or attempt to probe deeper into the same creature's mind."
I interpret this to mean that you can maintain concentration for the duration (up to 1 min) and just read surface thoughts as they come up without risk of detection and/or an opposed roll; which supports the second paragraph "Questions verbally directed at the target creature naturally shape the course of its thoughts, so this spell is particularly effective as part of an interrogation."
Casting Spellwords are:
Exposium Sentimentitus
So, if the creature doesn't speak a language its uneffected. Does that mean Kenku are immune to this spell? They understand languages, but can't speak any. I suppose they can mimic other's speech, but does that count?
Kenku can speak, but can only speak using their Mimicry trait. Otherwise they can read, write, and understand Common and Auran. So essentially they can speak, but only by mimicking any sounds (including speech) they've heard previously.
So in my understanding, yes that would count.
do you hear the thoughts in that creatures language, or your own?
I'm confused about the saving throw. The top says WIS save, but that is not mentioned in the text. It does mention an INT save if you try to go deeper.
Is that an error? Or does the target get an initial WIS save and later INT saves if you push? Or is the initial effect automatic with no save?
You can initially scan it's surface thoughts, no save/check needed.
The 'probe deeper' part mentions an initial wisdom save. if the targets fails or succeeds the save, it knows you are in their mind either way.
as a result the target can make a contested intelligence check, not a save, if you do not switch to another target.
if the target wins the contested check, then the spell ends.
Wise response, this. A fair DM you are. Rule of Cool trumps RAW, as long as said rule was used to be cool, and not just min-maxed interpretations via the interwebs. If the player says, "Hey, this ghost is MY DOOD, and I'm gonna do whatever he says," and they roll with advantage (so sometimes miss horribly) I like it too. Great call.
Wow, I need to practice my postcasting. That was rough. All this was just to reply to Jo_Schway.
Genial ok good idea
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What about, and I get this isn't necessarily common and would be a DM's discretion but curious about what others think, a case where someone is mute and/or someone deaf who utilizes sign language and other non-verbal means of communication? That they don't "speak" a language? I'm a newer DM so if this were to happen I imagine I'd roll with it but RAW makes it... odd... at best?