Invisibility 1979 AD&D DMG

Invisibility

"Now I'll sneak up on the monster invisibly!" How often has this cry rung forth from eager players in your campaign? How often have you cursed because of it? Never fear, there are many answers to the problem of invisibility, and most difficulties will be resolved after you read the following rules and suggestions regarding the subject.

Invisibility is not what most players desire it to be. It is neither a soundproofing nor an odor preventative. Normal sound issues from the invisible creature, just as normal odors do. Monsters might well be able to hear, smell, or see the invisible character. Furthermore, the associates of the invisible party are not able to see him or her any better than foes are so this can cause problems, too. Now consider a silence spell and large area invisibility cast upon a party. Imagine the chaos within the area as characters stub their toes on the heels of the person before them, with the inability to hear anything so that falls, suggestions as to what should be done, or orders cannot be heard. Consider also that dust on the floor will betray most invisibility, as will dust or powder in the air. Think of a door opening without any visible cause; will this cause suspicion in the mind of the viewer (particularly when the surroundings are taken into account!)? You bet it will!

Invisibility spells are broken when attack occurs, but what about devices? Becoming invisible takes but a twinkling, but if the party is observed doing so, there is no reason why an opponent cannot attack with the standard penalty (-4) for inability to see the target. Likewise, becoming visible takes only a second, but thereafter the foe is able to clearly observe the attacker for a return of the compliment, as it must be assumed that it requires a full round to again activate the magic which enables the character to be non-visible.

Invisibility to animals, the first level druid spell, does not allow attack, but it is pretty well proof against stupid animals. Invisibility devices generally duplicate the spell or else make the user likely to be undetected that turn or round, undetectability being stated as a percentage chance. CHECK EACH PERIOD AS APPLICABLE UNDER THE SITUATION. Dust of disappearance does not negate sound or odor either, so it is basically the same as an invisibility spell which allows invisible attack. Psionic invisibility is a mind control ability ("The Shadow Knows") which is more similar to the druidic invisibility to animals, for the effected creature(s) does not notice sounds or odors from the psionic. Note, however, that this form of invisibility is sharply limited in that it works only on a set maximum number of creatures according to their combined level/hit dice. In no event is the thief ability to hide in shadows to be treated the same as invisibility as regards disappearance (see CHARACTER CLASSES, THIEF ABILITIES for further details).

Finally, we have the consideration of the ability to detect invisible creatures even though they are not actually seen. This is explainable as the observer's ability to note a minor disturbance in the air - a shimmering or haze - or by keen hearing, and/or keen sense of smell. The table below gives the probability of detection of invisibility according to level/hit dice.

Level or Hit Dice of Creature and Intelligence Ability Rating


Note: You may give unintelligent creatures with keen hearing or sense of smell the equivalent of intelligence to reflect detection of invisible creatures.

Check each round the creature is exposed to invisibility. Once detected, the invisible creature will be kept track of thereafter, as the detector will be able to note the cause. any attacks incur the -4 penalty of attacking an invisible opponent, of course, and the invisible creature like wise is entitled to +4 on saving throws.

Mirrors: It is important for DMs to remember that in order to be reflective, a mirror must have a light source.