[Noble Drake]

You're assuming things not actually stated by the text though...

If you think I am wrong, then please tell me how you think it should be resolved and we can take the discussion from there ;-)

I'm necessarily saying I think you are wrong about how to resolve the spells (I might be, I haven't checked how I feel like these spells "should" be resolved though so I remain uncertain if I disagree with you).

I'm saying the resolution you arrive at requires assumptions of how to fill in the blanks in the rules text.

[Stainless Steel Devil Rat]

Actually, it doesn't.

Detection spells say the target opposes with Body + Willpower.  Spells like Combat Sense say that the beneficiary is the subject.

Subjects don't oppose with Body + Willpower, targets do.  You could argue that they're one in the same, but that is the argument taking a leap.

[Noble Drake]

...no... both "subjects aren't handled the same way as targets" and "subjects are handled the same way as targets" are equally filling in the blank formed by the rules explicitly saying what to do for a target and then not saying anything (opposed roll, threshold, neither of those - doesn't say) about how to treat a spell you cast on a subject instead of a target.

[Noble Drake]

You're assuming things not actually stated by the text though...

If you think I am wrong, then please tell me how you think it should be resolved and we can take the discussion from there ;-)

I've gone all the way back to SR3 because that's the edition that I actually felt like I understood what the rules were and why they were that way to get a sense of how I believe detection spells should be handled.

As a result, I've landed in agreement with your particular filling-in for what the book doesn't say.

[Typhus]

Subjects don't oppose with Body + Willpower, targets do.  You could argue that they're one in the same, but that is the argument taking a leap.

This makes some sense. I tried a few test rolls against a threshold, and I couldn't get info.  Even with ~12 dice, average is still 4 hits, which doesn't break the chart.  It seems like it's okay to just count hits when unopposed.  It's too bad they didn't draft the procedures more thoroughly, but that's 6e for you.

[Shinobi Killfist]

Subjects don't oppose with Body + Willpower, targets do.  You could argue that they're one in the same, but that is the argument taking a leap.

This makes some sense. I tried a few test rolls against a threshold, and I couldn't get info.  Even with ~12 dice, average is still 4 hits, which doesn't break the chart.  It seems like it's okay to just count hits when unopposed.  It's too bad they didn't draft the procedures more thoroughly, but that's 6e for you.

I don’t think 5e was any clearer.

The net hits range thing does create a funky system. Not so much in its logic but in the ease of use for the GM. Basically I’d say let’s say I roll 4 hits and my range is 40 default meters.(10 Magic for easy math). My reading is the GM would roll for resistance of people who mattered before they enter 40 meters. If a,b,c roll and get 1,2,3 hits. A gets spotted at 30 meters with 3 hits of info, b gets spotted at 20 meters with 2 hits of info and c gets spotted at 10 meters with 1 hit of info.

A bit of a pain in the ass but it’s how I read it working.

[Typhus]

I think 4e's mechanics may work better for explanations.  I will probably revert to those.  I may even bring Force back.  So weird an inconsistent to not have it for Spells, but yet have it everywhere else.