SR5:Spells:Detection

Detection spells give the subject a new sense (beyond the normal five) or improve a sense the subject already has, for as long as they are sustained. Detection spells may be cast upon yourself or on another subject within touch range. The standard range of the sense a Detection spell grants is the spell’s Force x caster’s Magic in meters as a radius from the target of the spell. Extended-range detection spells have a Force x Magic x 10 meter range. The more net hits you get when casting the spell, the more detailed information you receive.Using the extra or enhanced sense may require the subject to Observe in Detail as a Simple Action. Detection spells are either directional (like normal sight), area effect (work in all directions at once, like hearing), or psychic (providing some other special sense such as telepathy or precognition).

The sense is either active, requiring special efforts or actions to use, or passive, meaning it enhances the abilities of those affected without them having to take separate actions.

Active

Active detection spells involve an Opposed Test between the caster’s Spellcasting + Magic [Force] and either Willpower + Logic (+ Counterspelling if available) [Mental] for living things with auras, (Force x 2) for magical objects, or the object resistance for mundane objects (p. 295). Counterspelling may be used to defend against active detection spells, even if the target is unaware of them being cast (for example, if they walk within range of an active Detect Enemies spell).

When a spell affects multiple targets, either because it has an area effect or because it is sustained and may be encountered by multiple people, you should only make a single Spellcasting Test. Every potential target then makes an individual Spell Resistance Test and compares their result to yours. New targets may be detected as they enter the range of the spell, and they must make a Spell Resistance Test against your original Spellcasting Test.

Passive

A passive sense is simply “on” and feeds sensory input to the subject’s brain like other senses—no interpretation necessary. While the spell is sustained, Perception Tests using this sense have a limit equal to the net successes from casting of the spell instead of the subject’s Mental limit. Counterspelling cannot be used to defend against a passive sense, but once an opposing spellcaster realizes there is an active sustained spell, she can try dispelling it (see Dispelling, p. 295).

Glitches

A glitch on a Detection Spellcasting Test may result in false or misleading information. Likewise, a critical glitch may inflict extra Drain (e.g., +2 Drain Value), translate any Drain damage suffered into Physical Damage, temporarily strip the subject of a sense, or inexplicably apply the intended sense to others (particularly opponents) in range—hopefully they’ll remember to thank you for your help in spotting you and your team.

Analyze Device

ANALYZE DEVICE
(ACTIVE, DIRECTIONAL)
Type:P	Range:T	Damage:
Duration:S	Drain:F – 3	Source:Core

This spell allows the subject to analyze the purpose and operation of a device or piece of equipment within range of the sense. The casting of the spell is opposed by the object’s resistance (p. 295). Each net hit can be used to provide a piece of information about the device that would not be readily apparent (for example, it would not give the information that it is a Renraku-manufactured device if the thing is emblazoned with a huge Renraku logo, but it might say what the basic function of the thing is). Each net hit also gives the subject a bonus die while operating the device and allows the subject to ignore any skill-defaulting modifiers for using it as long as the spell is sustained.

Analyze Magic

ANALYZE MAGIC
(ACTIVE, DIRECTIONAL)
Type:P	Range:T	Damage:
Duration:S	Drain:F – 3	Source:Core

This spell allows the subject to analyze the purpose of a magical object (e.g., foci, alchemical preparations, magical lodges, active rituals). Treat the net hits from the Spellcasting Test as hits on the Assensing Table (p. 313), except the subject isn’t required to be perceiving astrally.

Analyze Truth

ANALYZE TRUTH
(ACTIVE, DIRECTIONAL)
Type:M	Range:T	Damage:
Duration:S	Drain:F – 2	Source:Core

The subject can tell whether a target’s statements are the truth (or at least if the subject honestly believes them to be true).The spell needs at least 1 net hit to determine validity of a selected statement. The spell does not work on written materials or items recorded through any sort of technological medium. The subject must hear a statement in person (with the target within range) to be able to judge its truth.

DETECTION SPELL RESULTS

NET HITS	RESULTS
1	Only general knowledge, no details
		Detect Life example: A group of metahumans.
2	Major details only, no minor details
		Detect Life example: A dwarf, a troll, and an ork walk into a bar. Stop me if you heard this one.
3	Major and minor details, with some minor details obscured or missing
		Detect Life example: The three individuals listed above are all armed, and their weapons are out. The troll is leading.
4	Detailed information
		Detect Life example: The troll is your contact, Moira; you don’t believe you’ve ever met the other two.

Clairaudience

CLAIRAUDIENCE
(PASSIVE, DIRECTIONAL)
Type:M	Range:T	Damage:
Duration:S	Drain:F – 3	Source:Core

The subject can hear distant sounds as if physically present at a chosen point within the sensory range of the spell. The listening point may be moved to any other point within range of the spell as a Complex Action. While using Clairaudience, the subject cannot use her normal hearing. This spell doesn’t translate visual images, only sounds (and only sounds within the subject’s natural range of hearing; augmented hearing does not apply).

Clairvoyance

CLAIRVOYANCE
(PASSIVE, DIRECTIONAL)
Type:M	Range:T	Damage:
Duration:S	Drain:F – 3	Source:Core

The subject can see distant scenes as if physically present at a chosen point within the sensory range of the spell. The visual point may be moved to any other point within range of the spell as a Complex Action. The subject can’t use normal vision or astral perception while using Clairvoyance. This spell doesn’t translate sound, only vision, and it doesn’t work with augmented vision. You can’t target spells through Clairvoyance.

Combat Sense

COMBAT SENSE
(PASSIVE, PSYCHIC)
Type:M	Range:T	Damage:
Duration:S	Drain:F	Source:Core

The subject can subconsciously analyze combat and other dangerous situations within range, sensing events a split-second before they happen. Every hit on the Spellcasting Test adds 1 die for Reaction on Surprise Tests, and also to rolls made when defending against ranged and melee attacks as long as the spell remains in effect.

Detect Enemies, Detect Enemies Extended

DETECT ENEMIES
(ACTIVE, AREA)
Type:M	Range:T	Damage:
Duration:S	Drain:F – 2	Source:Core

DETECT ENEMIES, EXTENDED
(ACTIVE, EXTENDED AREA)
Type:M	Range:T	Damage:
Duration:S	Drain:F	Source:Core

The subject can detect living targets within range who have hostile intentions toward him. The spell does not detect traps (since they aren’t alive), nor can it detect someone about to shoot into a crowd at random (since the hostility is not directed at the subject of the spell). The spell can detect targets preparing an ambush or other surprise attack directed at the subject.

Detect Individual

DETECT INDIVIDUAL
(ACTIVE, AREA)
Type:M	Range:T	Damage:
Duration:S	Drain:F – 3	Source:Core

The subject can detect the presence of a particular individual anywhere within range of the sense. You need to specify the individual during casting, someone you know or at least have met in the past.

Detect Life, Detect Life Extended

DETECT LIFE
(ACTIVE, AREA)
Type:M	Range:T	Damage:
Duration:S	Drain:F – 3	Source:Core

DETECT LIFE, EXTENDED
(ACTIVE, EXTENDED AREA)
Type:M	Range:	Damage:
Duration:S	Drain:F – 1	Source:Core

The subject detects all living beings (but not spirits) within range of the sense and knows their number and relative location. In a crowded area, the spell is virtually useless, picking up a blurred mass of traces of life.

Detect Life Form, Detect Life Form Extended

DETECT [LIFE FORM]
(ACTIVE, AREA)
Type:M	Range:T	Damage:
Duration:S	Drain:F – 2	Source:Core

DETECT [LIFE FORM], EXTENDED
(ACTIVE, EXTENDED AREA)
Type:M	Range:T	Damage:
Duration:S	Drain:F	Source:Core

The subject detects all of a specified type of life form within the range of the sense and knows their number and relative location. This is actually several different spells that must be learned separately, one for each type of life form that a caster might like to detect (Detect Orks, Detect Elves, Detect Dragons, and so forth), which are learned separately.

Detect Magic, Detect Magic Extended

DETECT MAGIC
(ACTIVE, AREA)
Type:M	Range:T	Damage:
Duration:S	Drain:F – 2	Source:Core

DETECT MAGIC, EXTENDED
(ACTIVE, EXTENDED AREA)
Type:M	Range:T	Damage:
Duration:S	Drain:F	Source:Core

The subject can detect the presence of all foci, spells, wards, magical lodges, alchemical preparations, active rituals, and spirits within range of the sense. It does not detect Awakened characters or critters, astral signatures, alchemical preparations that that have expired or already triggered, or the effects of permanent spells once they have become permanent.

Detect Object

DETECT [OBJECT]
(ACTIVE, AREA)
Type:P	Range:T	Damage:
Duration:S	Drain:F – 2	Source:Core

The subject detects all of a specified type of object within range of the sense and knows their number and relative location. Each type of object requires a separate spell (Detect Guns, Detect Computers, Detect Explosives, and so forth). These spells must all be learned and cast separately.

Mindlink

MINDLINK
(ACTIVE, PSYCHIC)
Type:M	Range:T	Damage:
Duration:S	Drain:F – 1	Source:Core

Mindlink allows the magician and one voluntary subject to communicate mentally, exchanging conversation, emotions, and mental images. One hit on the Spellcasting Test is enough to establish the link. The subject must remain within range of the magician for the Mindlink to work.

Mind Probe

MIND PROBE
(ACTIVE, DIRECTIONAL)
Type:M	Range:T	Damage:
Duration:S	Drain:F	Source:Core

This spell allows the subject to telepathically probe the mind of a specific target within range of the sense (chosen when the spell is cast). The target is aware of the probing, though they may not know the source of the spell. The number of net hits you get on the spell determines what kind of information the subject can read, given on the table. The subject may probe for one piece of information per Complex Action while the spell is sustained. Additional uses of Mind Probe against the same target within a number of hours equal to the target’s Willpower inflict a –2 dice pool modifier on the Spellcasting attempt.

MIND PROBE TABLE

NET HITS	RESULTS
1–2	The subject can read the target’s surface thoughts only.
3–4	The subject can find out anything the target consciously knows and view the target’s recent memories (up to 72 hours).
5+	The subject can probe the target’s subconscious, gaining information the target may not even be consciously aware of, like psychological quirks, deep fears, or hidden memories.