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Deadlord
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Post Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2026 6:25 pm 
 

Hi all! A question for the brain trust: would you rule that the True Seeing spell allows one to see lycanthropies, dopplegangers and such in their true form? Polymorphed or shapechanged creatures? I am inclined to say no, because the aforementioned creatures are actually IN a different form, not trying to pretend.

Thanks,

Frank


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smc67
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Post Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2026 7:23 pm 
 

Assuming that you are speaking of 1E, then to me the answer is yes, given the text in the PHB spell description: "all things within the area of the true seeing effect appear as they actually are" Furthermore, it states that it sees through invisible, ethereal, illusions, apparitions. It also explicitly says "Polymorphed, changed or magicked things are apparent." (PHB, p.50) Also, a simulacrum is instantly revealed (PHB, p.88) and allows one to see through an Assassin's disguise (PHB, p.29).

Though it may sound a bit existential - a doppleganger is still a doppleganger, ditto a shapechanged creature.  A werewolf may appear as a normally human but they are truly a werewolf.

So, between the explicit reference to polymorphed and changed, as well as to "as they truly are", I think it is all covered.

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Post Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2026 8:56 pm 
 

Yes.  Lycanthrope’s shape change.  Whether you consider it a magical curse, natural phenomenon, or something else, they still alter their form.

The later editions describe the True Seeing spell in a little more detail, which reinforces this:
True Seeing PHB 3.5:
The subject sees through normal and magical darkness, notices secret doors hidden by magic, sees the exact locations of creatures or objects under blur or displacement effects, sees invisible creatures or objects normally, sees through illusions, and sees the true form of polymorphed, changed, or transmuted things.

I describe to the user of True Seeing a superimposed images/phases of the person/creature.
  

stratochamp
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Post Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 3:55 am 
 

This is the Acaeum Doug...nothing written after 1987 matters in the slightest. :-)


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dbartman
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Post Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 10:32 am 
 

stratochamp wrote in True Seeing:This is the Acaeum Doug...nothing written after 1987 matters in the slightest. :-)

Indeed!  My mistake. :)
  

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Deadlord
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Post Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 10:52 pm 
 

No worries, Doug, we all make mistakes. Thank you for referencing the spell description, that is exactly what I needed to know!


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smc67
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Post Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2026 1:49 pm 
 

So, what have you landed on for your ruling?

SMC
  

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ExTSR
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Post Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2026 12:55 pm 
 

Absolutely. In 1e/2e/BECMI, TrueSight is the cleric's magic bullet, sees all truthfully.


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Deadlord
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Post Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2026 10:44 pm 
 

smc67 wrote in True Seeing:So, what have you landed on for your ruling?

SMC


I'm going with the book. Makes sense now. Thanks all!


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