Unmasking the Unseen: How to Reveal Invisibility in D&D

Invisibility in Dungeons & Dragons is a powerful tool, both for players and the monsters they face. An unseen enemy can be incredibly dangerous, making combat a terrifying guessing game. However, invisibility isn’t an impenetrable cloak. There are several ways to reveal an invisible creature or object, restoring visibility and levelling the playing field. The core answer to how to reveal invisibility in D&D lies in a combination of magic, senses, and clever tactics. Here’s a comprehensive guide:

The primary way to reveal invisibility is through specific spells and special senses. Spells like See Invisibility and effects that grant Truesight are the most reliable methods. These effects allow you to perceive invisible creatures and objects as if they were plainly visible. Beyond direct counter-spells, indirect methods focusing on detecting an invisible enemy’s position also play a crucial role. These involve tracking sounds, detecting disturbances, or utilizing specific abilities which do not rely solely on sight. While not making them visible, these techniques ensure that characters don’t remain entirely helpless.

Methods to Reveal Invisibility

1. Magic Spells

• See Invisibility: This spell is a direct counter to invisibility, enabling the caster to see invisible creatures and objects as if they were visible. Crucially, it also lets you see into the Ethereal Plane, which is an added advantage.
• Faerie Fire: While not directly revealing invisibility, Faerie Fire causes a creature to glow, negating the heavily obscured condition invisibility grants. This allows characters to target them accurately.
• Greater Invisibility: While harder to counter, it still succumbs to See Invisibility unless other specific conditions exist.
• Dispel Magic: While not specifically for invisibility, Dispel Magic can counteract magical invisibility, such as from a spell like the Invisibility spell.
• Reveal Magic: As you know, this spell causes all magic in the affected area to glow for all to see, not just the caster. This will reveal creatures using magic to be invisible and also magic items.

2. Special Senses

• Truesight: The ultimate defense against illusion and concealment. Characters with truesight can see through invisibility, illusions, and shape-changing effects. It is crucial in facing powerful and deceptive opponents.
• Blindsight: This special sense allows a creature to perceive its surroundings without relying on sight. Blindsight might allow a character to “see” an invisible creature if they are within the range of the blindsight. For example, a bat’s blindsight uses echolocation and would still work on an invisible foe.
• Blind Sense: Similar to blindsight, but less common, this can also detect invisible creatures within a limited range.

3. Indirect Detection Methods

• Sound: Even invisible creatures can make noise. A character might hear footsteps, rattling armor, or other telltale sounds, allowing them to pinpoint a general location.
• Tracking: If the invisible creature is moving, it might leave footprints, disturbed undergrowth, or other physical signs of its passage that can be tracked.
• Effects on the Environment: An invisible creature can still interact with the environment. If it opens a door, moves an object, or leaves a visible sign of its passage, that can be a big clue to its position.
• Attacking: Once an invisible creature attacks, the invisibility immediately ends.

4. Limitations

• Detect Magic doesn’t reveal invisible creatures. It can sense magical auras but does not reveal the physical location of invisible entities.
• Cantrips generally do not end invisibility because they are not considered “attacks” or “spells” which break the invisibility effect.
• Illusions: Some forms of invisibility are created through illusion magic. These illusions can be dispelled using Investigation checks, and if successful, the illusion becomes faint to the observing character.

FAQs About Revealing Invisibility in D&D

1. Does Detect Magic reveal invisible creatures?

No. Detect Magic senses the presence of magic and reveals the school of magic associated with visible objects or creatures. It does not reveal invisible entities or pinpoint their location.

2. Does See Invisibility work against Greater Invisibility?

Yes, See Invisibility will detect Greater Invisibility unless other counter effects are in place. Dispel Magic can remove the effects of most permanency spells.

3. Can I attack an invisible enemy if I know their location?

Absolutely. You can attack an invisible enemy if you are aware of their location and have a weapon that can reach it. Invisibility only provides disadvantage on the attack roll, but you can still attack them. The exception would be if the invisible creature takes the Hide action.

4. How does the Hide action affect invisible creatures?

If an invisible creature takes the Hide action, they can move to a new location while hidden, and it becomes very difficult to target them. Characters cannot attack if their location is unknown.

5. Does casting a cantrip break invisibility?

Generally, no. Cantrips do not end invisibility as they are not considered attacks. It is the action of casting a spell or attacking, not the casting of the spell that breaks the invisibility.

6. What are the components needed to cast See Invisibility?

See Invisibility requires a verbal, somatic, and material component which includes a pinch of talc and a small sprinkling of powdered silver.

7. What classes can use See Invisibility?

Bards, Sorcerers, and Wizards can learn and cast See Invisibility.

8. How does Truesight differ from See Invisibility?

Truesight provides a more comprehensive form of perception. It reveals illusions, shapeshifters, and creatures on the Ethereal Plane in addition to detecting invisible entities. See Invisibility only allows one to see invisible things and creatures on the Ethereal Plane.

9. Can a spell like Fireball reveal an invisible creature?

Indirectly, yes. If a Fireball hits an invisible creature, they become visible by virtue of the attack. However, a spell like Fireball wouldn’t reveal their presence if you didn’t already know their location to target them with the spell.

10. Can Blind Sense reveal an invisible creature?

Yes, Blind Sense can reveal an invisible creature within its range since it doesn’t rely on normal vision to “see”. This range is often limited, so it would need to be relatively close.

11. If an invisible creature is within 5 feet, can I still attack it?

Yes, if an invisible creature is within 5 feet, you can still attack them. The attacker does have disadvantage on the attack roll. However, you are aware of their general location, unless they take the Hide action.

12. Can opportunity attacks occur against an invisible creature?

If you know where the invisible creature is and they move out of your melee range, you can attempt to make an opportunity attack with disadvantage unless you have a way to counter the effect of invisibility, such as See Invisibility.

13. Can you use the “Ready” action to attack an invisible creature when they become visible?

Yes, if you are aware of the invisible creature’s presence and location, you can use the “Ready” action to attack it when it does become visible, such as when it attacks.

14. Can you use Reveal Magic to reveal an invisible creature?

Yes, Reveal Magic reveals auras around magical entities including creatures using magic to maintain invisibility. It shows all the hidden magical effects in an area.

15. Does the Unseen Servant spell make a creature invisible?

No, the Unseen Servant creates an invisible, mindless force that performs simple tasks. The force itself is invisible, not the caster.

Conclusion

Invisibility is a powerful but not invincible state in D&D. Knowing how to counter it and understand its limitations is essential for any player. The key to revealing invisibility lies in leveraging a mix of magical spells, special senses, and tactical awareness. By understanding these different approaches, players can effectively navigate encounters with unseen foes and ensure that the battlefield remains somewhat equal. With these techniques in your arsenal, no foe will remain unseen for long.