Suggestion for a scrying nerf

[Nihm]

I'd suggest that instead of getting a message that you're being watched, you get the name of who cast the spell.  Also to add spellcraft to the check if it hasn't been done.
 
I think being able to spy on people with total anonymity and no risk should have at least this small drawback to it.

[FishyBusiness]

Agreed on this, if it is not already worked out.

Perhaps, upon succeeding the Will Save as well, and then rolling a really high Spellcraft check, allow the victim to 'scry back'.

Also, as with the actual PnP scrying (yet again, if it's not already there) make it impossible to try to scry on the same subject again for the next 24 hrs (next reset), if the target succeeds a will save.

[Ghost]

Yes, I think there needs to be some danger of real discovery for scrying to be done properly. When a rogue (for instance) spies they need to put themselves out there, and in potential danger. If a scrying mage can do the same job better, and without real risk, well that's kind of a shame.

[BrittanyPanthas]

Just make it so ward area against scrying gives you a check to figure out the person's identity. Then its much like the PnP spell that detects scrying. The spell also then gets more use.

[VanillaPudding]

I'd rather the check were in place, or a system of checks. A DC for detecting it at all, a DC for detecting where it comes from, then an even higher DC to detect who is doing it.

Forcing the use of yet another new spell, ward area, that can't be scribed or purchased in stores seems rather silly.

[Mort]

That's how it was in D&D.

Like the scrying DC was determined by :

-If you knew the person scryed.
-If you had a piece of their belonging.
-If you had a piece of their blood.
-Your scrying skills (FEAT, and some skills)

The defender had to roll against that with his will bonus (I think), if he bested it, he knew he was being scryed upon.

If he bested it by 10, he knew that "X" was scrying upon him.

If he bested it by 15, he not only knew that "X" was scrying on him, but like the dude scrying gets hit with a mental backlash causing him mental damage/pain.

Sort-of why you didn't scry on powerful people without having some sort of symbol to ensure your success.

[Caddies]

The DnD version sounds pretty sweet, actually.

[Ghost]

The D&D version also has a casting time of 1 hour, but a duration of only 1 minute/level. Obviously that means you need to be VERY serious about wanting to look in on someone with such an investment in time involved...heh.

I have no idea how you could script the DCs based on knowledge of the character in question, or possessing an item of the target, although the PnP version (or something near it) would be pretty ideal.

[Porkolt]

Scrying was never supposed to be a method of espionage or surveillance. It's supposed to be a method of investigation. Scrying tells you where a person is, what they look like, that sort of thing. Useful when you need to find someone, not useful for watching their every move because it's too costly and risky.

[The Outer Limits]

Voicing my support for some kind of way to determine who exactly is scrying on you.

[Nihm]

Making the counter to this available in stores would go a long way toward helping mitigate this tremendously powerful spell.

[Howlando]

Have you checked Sugriam?

[Howlando]

Because it's there.

[Groucho the Marxist]

Get rid of it. I don't see what it adds to the setting other than a lot of balance issues and increased air of paranoia that leads to people being less willing to RP. Leave espionage to the rogues...it's one of the few things a pure rogue is better at than any other class.

It's a cool idea. I love scrying and divination is probably my favorite of the spell schools. While I hate that it doesn't have much to offer NWN wise I think scrying is broken seeing as how it doesn't only locate your target for an invisa-gank, it also functions as PvP radar....the same reason we can no longer track PC's.

[Howlando]

Complaints about scrying may be made in a new thread.