Paladin's Detect Evil

[Elephant]

I was looking at the Paladin class recently, and it hit me that they gain Detect Evil at will, as the spell - which is similar to Detect Magic: Standard action to cast, then a standard action again in the second and third rounds in order to gain complete information.

That doesn't mesh with how I've seen it played and portrayed in places like OOTS: As an evildar activated with a free action.

So, I'm wondering: How do you treat a Paladin's Detect Evil? By the book, or do you houserule it somehow?

 

[Vorput]

Generally by the book... though it only ever really comes up if they're using it in battle... most people just think its odd when the guy in full plate keeps staring at em...

Edit: Ooo, I beat the 'alignment sucks, our paladin's dont use it' people!

 

[Sound of Azure]

I treat it as normal, needing concentration (and obvious glowy eyes) when detecting. Paladins (and other classes that receive similar abilities) can attempt to use the ability more quickly if they want. They'll only get the first round benefit of detect evil using the "flash" version of the detect evil.

It requires some finesse, though: DC 15 Concentration and DC 20 Spellcraft check for a move action detection, DC 20 Concentration, DC 25 Spellcraft for a Swift action detect.

 

[Slife]

One houserule that makes it a littler more playable (and removes some of the entangling arguments) is that is only highlights people who your patron deity wants you to smite

 

[DogBackward]

When I use Alignment at all, I leave the Detect Evil spell as is, but I change the class-based versions. Now, they're constantly active, with a 50ft, +10ft per level (non-cone) radius. However, they merely tell you if there is anything evil within range, and how powerful relative to yourself. So, a Paladin can tell that there's something evil nearby, and that it's way bigger than he is, but he can't point to it and say "Kill it!". Makes thing work much more smoothly, from what I've seen. Also, only supernatural evil resonates, not simply an evil alignment. Demons you sense, run-of-the-mill badguys you don't.

 

[shilsen]

I run it by the book, i.e. exactly as Detect Evil works in the PHB.

On the subject of house-ruling, I don't because I want a game with more complex and less black-and-white morality. IME, using Detect Evil as written creates enough ambiguity in itself, since the spell is extremely imprecise at giving you useful information about someone.

 

[frankthedm]

IMG the Paladin's eyes glow angelic white while Detect evil is in use.

 

[babomb]

In my game, it only detects supernatural evil. However, there are two versions: passive and active. The passive, jokingly referred to as "spider sense", gives the paladin a general idea of the level of evil near him. It manifests as a feeling of discomfort, sensation of pinpricks, up to a severe headache. It has no fixed radius, but the detected strength varies according to the inverse square law. The paladin can also sense great disturbances in the force, so to speak.

The active version is omni-directional, and takes two rounds (since the paladin is already aware of the presence of evil). However, like active sonar on a submarine, it also gives away the paladin's presence. It causes evil beings discomfort. They know it's coming from the paladin, though they may or may not know why.

 

[Kurotowa]

When I play a PC with innate Detect Evil (more Incarnates than Paladins, but some of both) I pay a lot of attention to the strength of the aura. Not all evil detects equally, after all.

A vast majority of normal people and creatures with an Evil alignment will only detect as Faintly evil. I usually take that as a "darkness in the heart." It's a warning that they're not the sort of person to trust or depend on, and helps point out who needs help to shape up and reform themselves. In no way is it proof of wrongdoing or a signal to start smiting.

If it's a Moderate aura of evil, then we're talking about undead and outsiders most of the time, or a cleric of an evil deity. In other words, it's a wonderful "supernatural danger present" alert. If you're worried about a disguised devil or lurking undead or secret cultists, then with Detect Evil you can ferret them out. It'll also ping on evil creatures of 11+ HD, so it's a good warning of dangerous and elite assassins or the like.

Strong and Overwhelming auras are sure sign of real trouble. At that point the question isn't if you're dealing with Evil, but if you're dealing with something you should fight or something you should flee from. There's not much chance of a mistake at this level, barring someone innocently hauling an Evil magical item around, and it's basically a big red light pointing at danger.

 

[shilsen]

When I play a PC with innate Detect Evil (more Incarnates than Paladins, but some of both) I pay a lot of attention to the strength of the aura. Not all evil detects equally, after all.

A vast majority of normal people and creatures with an Evil alignment will only detect as Faintly evil. I usually take that as a "darkness in the heart." It's a warning that they're not the sort of person to trust or depend on, and helps point out who needs help to shape up and reform themselves. In no way is it proof of wrongdoing or a signal to start smiting.

If it's a Moderate aura of evil, then we're talking about undead and outsiders most of the time, or a cleric of an evil deity. In other words, it's a wonderful "supernatural danger present" alert. If you're worried about a disguised devil or lurking undead or secret cultists, then with Detect Evil you can ferret them out. It'll also ping on evil creatures of 11+ HD, so it's a good warning of dangerous and elite assassins or the like.

Strong and Overwhelming auras are sure sign of real trouble. At that point the question isn't if you're dealing with Evil, but if you're dealing with something you should fight or something you should flee from. There's not much chance of a mistake at this level, barring someone innocently hauling an Evil magical item around, and it's basically a big red light pointing at danger.

Those are some good assumptions, but are still giving the spell a little more weight than it can bear, I think. As an example of the imprecision I mentioned above, note that these characters will show up under Detect Evil as follows:

10th lvl CE Fighter who's a mass murdering psycopath - Faint

12th lvl NE Expert who beats his wife and steals from his customers - Moderate

5th lvl LN Cleric of Vecna who works as an archivist and has never hurt another person - Strong

5th lvl Succubus paladin who is the only one of her kind - Overwhelming