Paladin Detect Evil

[Aaronmoze]

If an evil creature/person comes into the range of a Paladin with detect evil, does the Paladin automatically know it is evil or is there a check?

[tstewt1921]

It's automatic as the creature has an evil aura that the paladin sees.

[Mando Knight]

The Paladin's Detect Evil ability functions as per the spell of the same name (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/detectEvil.htm): it takes a standard action for them to start focusing on detecting the presence of Evil within a 60' cone, with more clarity the longer they hold their concentration on the area (another standard action each round to maintain concentration).

[BWR]

Unless you play Pathfinder, in which case you get three rounds worth of concentration as a move action.

[Petrukio]

Unless you play Pathfinder, in which case you get three rounds worth of concentration as a move action.

Eh? Howzat?

[BWR]

Eh? Howzat?
Here (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/coreRulebook/classes/paladin.html#paladin)

Should have mentioned that this is a single target version which means you can't scan the area as quickly as the spell.

[Necroticplague]

If an evil creature/person comes into the range of a Paladin with detect evil, does the Paladin automatically know it is evil or is there a check?

No. It's as the spell. So it's not a passive ability, you need to use a standard action to start, and then concentrate for a few rounds to reveal details. Also, it detects Evil auras, not alignment, a distinction which can be critical at times.

[Petrukio]

Should have mentioned that this is a single target version which means you can't scan the area as quickly as the spell.

Huh. I never noticed that before. Good to know, anyway.