Can You Target Invisible People in D&D? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, you can target invisible people in Dungeons & Dragons, but it’s not as straightforward as targeting a visible creature. The ability to target an invisible creature depends heavily on your character’s senses, abilities, and the specific circumstances of the encounter. While you can’t simply point and shoot spells like Magic Missile at an unseen foe (since they require a target you can see), there are several ways to overcome this obstacle and engage invisible opponents effectively. This article will explore the nuances of targeting invisible creatures and answer common questions on the topic.

The Core Mechanics of Invisibility

Invisibility in D&D isn’t true “nothingness.” It’s more akin to magical camouflage. The core mechanic centers around the Hidden condition. An invisible creature might be hidden, but it isn’t automatically so.

• The Invisible Condition: The Invisible condition primarily grants advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks to hide, and attack rolls against the invisible creature have disadvantage. This condition doesn’t automatically make a creature untargetable, but it adds a layer of difficulty.
• Hiding: To truly become difficult to target, an invisible creature usually needs to take the Hide action. This requires them to break line of sight momentarily and succeed on a Dexterity (Stealth) check contested by the passive Wisdom (Perception) of anyone who might notice them.
• Awareness vs. Targeting: Even if a creature is invisible, characters might still be aware of their presence. Footprints in the snow, the rustling of leaves, or even a distinctive scent can betray an invisible enemy’s location. Knowing where they are doesn’t necessarily mean you can target them easily, but it’s a crucial first step.

How to Target Invisible Creatures: Practical Methods

So, how do you actually target those pesky invisible foes? Here’s a breakdown of effective strategies:

• Area of Effect Spells: Spells that affect an area, such as Fireball, Thunderwave, or even simply dropping Alchemist’s Fire in a suspected location, are excellent for targeting invisible creatures. You don’t need to see the creature to target the area it’s in. If the invisible creature is within the area of effect, it will be affected by the spell or effect. Keep in mind that friendly fire is a real concern here!
• Senses Beyond Sight: D&D features several senses that bypass invisibility.
  • Blindsight: This special sense allows a creature to perceive its surroundings without relying on sight within a specific radius. Creatures with blindsight, such as bats or certain monsters, can effectively “see” invisible creatures within their blindsight range.
  • Truesight: The ultimate counter to invisibility, truesight allows a creature to see things as they truly are. This includes the ability to see invisible creatures, illusions, and the true form of shapeshifters.
  • Other Senses: While not as reliable as blindsight or truesight, senses like smell, hearing, and even touch can provide clues about an invisible creature’s location. A keen-eared character might hear the subtle sounds of movement, while a character with a sharp sense of smell might detect a faint odor.
• Magical Detection: Several spells are designed to reveal invisible creatures:
  • See Invisibility: This spell grants the caster the ability to see invisible creatures and objects.
  • Faerie Fire: This spell covers creatures in a magical glow, negating the benefits of invisibility against those who can see the light.
  • Detect Magic: While not directly revealing invisible creatures, Detect Magic can identify the source of the invisibility, potentially leading you to the hidden caster or object.
• Readying an Action: A clever tactic is to Ready an Action to attack the first creature that enters a specific area or performs a certain action. For example, you could ready an action to attack the first creature that moves within 5 feet of you. This works because you are not targeting the creature directly, but setting a trigger to attack when certain criteria are met.
• Grappling: While tricky, grappling an invisible creature is possible. The rules for grappling don’t specify that you need to see the creature, just that you can make a special melee attack against it. If you know the general location of the invisible creature (perhaps you heard them moving), you can attempt to grapple them. Success requires winning an opposed Strength (Athletics) check against their Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check.
• The “Help” Action: A character can use the Help action to grant advantage on another character’s attack roll against the invisible creature. This requires the helping character to be within 5 feet of the invisible creature and take some kind of action to aid their ally, such as distracting the invisible creature or providing a better angle for the attack.

Disadvantage and Targeting

It’s vital to remember that even if you can target an invisible creature, attacks against them are made with disadvantage. This is because the invisible creature is harder to see and strike accurately. This disadvantage can be negated by effects that grant advantage on the attack roll, such as the Help action or certain class features.

FAQs: Targeting Invisible Creatures in D&D

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the intricacies of targeting invisible creatures in D&D:

1. Can I use spells that require a target I can see on an invisible creature?

No. Spells that specifically state “a creature you can see” as a requirement cannot target invisible creatures unless you possess a means of seeing them, such as Truesight or the See Invisibility spell.

2. If I know the location of an invisible creature, can I still attack it?

Yes, but with disadvantage on the attack roll. Knowing the location means you can attempt to target the creature, but its invisibility makes it harder to hit.

3. Does the Invisibility spell end if I take damage?

No. The Invisibility spell only ends if the target of the spell attacks or casts a spell. Simply taking damage does not break the spell.

4. Can I make an Opportunity Attack against an invisible creature?

Generally, no. Opportunity Attacks require you to see the triggering creature. However, if you have blindsight or another sense that allows you to perceive the invisible creature, you can make an Opportunity Attack.

5. Can I use Eldritch Blast to target an invisible creature?

Yes, Eldritch Blast requires a target “within range” but doesn’t stipulate that the target must be seen. As long as you are aware of the creature’s location, you can target it.

6. How does the Hide action interact with invisibility?

The Invisibility spell grants advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks to Hide. This makes it easier for the invisible creature to successfully hide, making it even harder to target.

7. If I’m invisible, can I still see?

Yes, the Invisibility spell makes you invisible to others, but it doesn’t affect your own vision.

8. Does blindsight negate the disadvantage on attack rolls against invisible creatures?

Yes, creatures with blindsight can effectively “see” invisible creatures within their blindsight range, negating the disadvantage on attack rolls.

9. Can I use Detect Magic to find an invisible creature?

Detect Magic won’t directly reveal the creature, but it can reveal the presence of magical effects causing the invisibility. This might help you narrow down the source of the effect.

10. If I grapple an invisible creature, does it become visible?

No. Grappling doesn’t inherently break invisibility. However, the struggle might give away its position more clearly.

11. How does Faerie Fire interact with invisibility?

Faerie Fire covers creatures in a magical glow. If the invisible creature fails its saving throw, it becomes visible for the duration of the spell.

12. What happens if I cast Fireball in an area where I suspect an invisible creature is?

If the invisible creature is within the area of effect, it takes damage as normal. The spell doesn’t reveal the creature’s location beforehand, but it will definitely affect it.

13. Can I track an invisible creature?

Yes, you can attempt to track an invisible creature using skills like Survival. You would typically follow tracks, disturbances in the environment, or other clues that the invisible creature leaves behind.

14. What are some monsters that have blindsight or truesight?

Many monsters have blindsight or truesight. Examples include bats, some dragons, and certain undead creatures. Refer to the Monster Manual for specific monster abilities.

15. How does the DM determine the DC for a Wisdom (Perception) check to notice an invisible creature?

The DM determines the DC based on factors like the creature’s Stealth skill, environmental conditions, and the distance between the observer and the invisible creature. A common starting point is DC 15, but the DM can adjust this as needed.

Mastering the Art of Targeting the Unseen

Targeting invisible creatures in D&D is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. By understanding the mechanics of invisibility, utilizing your character’s senses and abilities, and employing clever tactics, you can overcome this obstacle and emerge victorious. The key is to think creatively and exploit any advantage you can find. Remember that team work and communication are essential. Don’t forget to visit Games Learning Society for more insights on various topics on gaming. You can visit their website here: GamesLearningSociety.org.