Oblivion:Detect Life

The UESPWiki – Your source for The Elder Scrolls since 1995

	Detect Life
School		Mysticism
Type		Other
Effect ID		DTCT
Base Cost		0.08
Barter Factor		15
Availability (Click on any item for details)
Spells Custom Potions Built-In Potions Scrolls Sigil Stones Apparel

Detect Life M feet for D seconds

Reveals all visible and invisible creatures within M feet surrounding them with a soft purple glow. Detect Life works through obstacles such as houses, doors, walls and hillsides. At higher magnitudes, the purple glow around creatures within range appears sharper making it possible to more easily distinguish between the subjects as to who or what they are: human beings from animals, for example.

[edit] Notes

The game has a rather expansive definition of "life" which includes the undead.
Detect Life detects invisibility making it easier to fight those spellcasters and creatures who tend to render themselves invisible before or even during combat.
Creatures within reach will leave a blurry purple trail behind as they move. The faster they move, the less distinct the trail will be.
Detect Life doesn't work beyond the map area you are currently in. This limitation is especially annoying in cities. If you are on the street looking at a house, you can often see the people standing on the other side of it, but you cannot see anyone standing inside.
It is very hard to make out people's faces when Detect Life is active. Conversations and persuasion minigames are much easier if you first unequip any items with Detect Life enchantments.
Detect Life effects stack. Therefore if you have a ring of Detect Life 20, a helm of Detect Life 10, and an amulet of Detect Life 30, your total Detect Life is 60 giving you a 60 foot range on detection.