Rogues and the Alarm Spell

[krazykid]

Does a rogue find a alarm spell as a magical trap?

I would have thought so but then this raises a new issue - Alarm has a 20' radius trigger - At what point does the rogue detect the spell, at the point of origin of the spell (meaning he has triggered the alarm before finding it) or before entering the spell radius?

If it is before the spell radius can the rogue disable the alarm spell considering its point of origin is 20' away?

The SRD spell description follows:

Alarm
Abjuration
Level: Brd 1, Rgr 1, Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, S, F/DF
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Area: 20-ft.-radius emanation centered on a point in space
Duration: 2 hours/level (D)
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No

Alarm sounds a mental or audible alarm each time a creature of Tiny or larger size enters the warded area or touches it. A creature that speaks the password (determined by you at the time of casting) does not set off the alarm. You decide at the time of casting whether the alarm will be mental or audible.

 

[Liquidsabre]

He should, though the Search skill doesn't mention the spell under its list of spells. Search DC 26 to discover the warded area (before entering) and Disable Device DC 26 to disarm.

 

[Orm]

Can you disable an Alarm without getting into the 20ft radius? Without using Dispel Magic or the like.

 

[Darklone]

Same question applies to traps with proximity trigger. If a rogue can disarm those, he can disarm the spell as well.

 

[Shin Okada]

By the current ruling, no. The descriptive text does not say that the spell is a trap.

In the world, there are things which a mighty rogue can't handle alone.

 

[Bauglir]

By the current ruling, no. The descriptive text does not say that the spell is a trap.

In the world, there are things which a mighty rogue can't handle alone.

The rogue could UMD a wand of Dispel Magic to clear the spell..

 

[Darklone]

Or an Alarm spell does not help against ranged sneak attacks...

 

[Derren]

Sneak attacking a spell.
Interesting idea.

 

[Darklone]

Sneak attacking a spell.
Interesting idea.

Nah

I was refering to the 20ft radius of the spell compared to the 30 ft range for sneak attacks... the rogue doesn't have to trigger the spell for sneak attacks.

 

[Orm]

Am I getting this right? A rogue can search for and disable Alarm but has to be near the center of the spell and triggers it while doing so?

Search: You generally must be within 10 feet of the object or surface to be searched.