Dungeon recon 101

[largertyler]

I play pathfinder. My question for the community is whats the best way to scout out dungeons? would casting fly and clairvoyance on a rock and flying it around like a drone be viable? I want to know as a prepared caster because it would be nice to know when to pop buffs or summons, and which ones to use.

I am a level 11 cleric BTW in a party of 6 lvl 11's who are bumbling their way through rune lords still.

[nyjastul69]

The target for a fly spell is 'creature touched'. Unless the rock is somehow a creature your suggestion won't work. Familiars, animal companions, and summoned creatures are my first thought. These probably aren't the best ways, but they work.

[Saintheart]

Mindsight.

Failing that, hiring commoners to function as Irish Mine Detectors.

[Petrocorus]

Recon is the one thing the Cleric is not super good at. Let the Wizard do it with his improved familiar and his spells like Arcane Eye. Or let the hireling the Rogue do it.
One solution, however, is to take the Summon Familiiar reserve feat.