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Dispel Magic - Dispel single spell only?
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<blockquote data-quote="Joren" data-source="post: 174903" data-attributes="member: 1959"><p>Well, FWIW, we have always played Dispel Magic as allowing a spellcaster who can percieve a spell in effect to target that specific spell, regardless of whether it is a "free-standing" spell (i.e. Stinking Cloud) or on a creature (Polymorph) or an object. </p><p></p><p>However, reading the spell description, it appears that this interpretation of the spell is not clear.</p><p></p><p>(1): The "<strong>Target or Area</strong>" is "One spellcaster, creature, or object; or 30-ft.-radius burst." No mention of "one spell" as a target. </p><p></p><p>(2): The second line of the description states "You can use dispel magic to end ongoing spells that have been cast on a creature or object, to temporarily suppress the magic abilities of an item, to end ongoing spells (or at least their effects) within an area, or to counter another spellcaster's spell." If taken literally (as we should), this allows for 4 options: (a) to end spells (plural) cast on a creature or object [i.e. Target = creature or object], (b) to suppress a magic item [i.e. Target = object], (c) to end spells within an area (which appears to refer to an "Area Dispel" - i.e. Target = 30-ft.-radius burst), or (d) to counterspell [i.e. Target = spellcaster]. These four options seem to tie into the "Target or Area" definition above. Reading analytically, none of these options appears to allow the dispelling of a "free-standing" spell (i.e. Stinking Cloud) without use of the "Area Dispel" option.</p><p></p><p>(3): A "<strong>Targeted Dispel</strong>" is defined as targeting "one object, creature, or spell." This is at odds with the "<strong>Target or Area</strong>" definition, since it states that one "target" of a dispel magic is a "spell." If we look back on the second line of the description, the only option that allows us to target a "spell" would appear to be part (c), ending spells in an area. However, this is an "Area Dispel," and as such should not be discussed under the caption of a "Targeted Dispel." This cannot refer to option (d) - counterspell, since the "counterspell" use of dispel magic targets a "spellcaster," not a "spell." Therefore, a "spell" can apparently be the target of a "targeted dispel," contrary to the "<strong>Target or Area</strong>" parameters of the spell.</p><p></p><p>(4): The second sentence of the "<strong>Targeted Dispel</strong>" subsection states "You make a dispel check against the spell <u>or</u> against each ongoing spell currently in effect on the object or creature" (emphasis added). This appears to reinforce the idea that you can target "a spell" or "a creature or an object". Again, remember that this is all under the heading of a "<strong>Targeted Dispel</strong>" rather than an "<strong>Area Dispel</strong>".</p><p></p><p>(5): The examples provided under "<strong>Targeted Dispel</strong>" do not appear to resolve the issue. The first example states that Mialee casts dispel magic on a hasted, mage armored, strengthened drow. The target of the action is the drow, not the spells. Thus, this is an example of dispel magic cast on a creature, which we all agree (I assume) forces a dispel attempt on each and every spell in effect on that creature. The second example does not help either, since it refers to targeting "an object or creature" that is the effect of a spell.</p><p></p><p>Well, what does this all mean? I know what it means to me - it means (a) the spell is not clear, and (b) when I find a spell that's not clear, I make my own ruling.</p><p></p><p>If you're looking for the one true answer, it's my opinion that there is no clear answer in the text of the PHB (maybe someone with the SRD can see if there are any clarifications in there). And of course with all due respect, I also don't believe that the Sage's response clears up the issue. The text of the spell appears to say two different things, and like all good DMs, I have to make the call myself.</p><p></p><p>YMMV, 2 cp, yadda yadda yadda</p><p></p><p>Joren</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Joren, post: 174903, member: 1959"] Well, FWIW, we have always played Dispel Magic as allowing a spellcaster who can percieve a spell in effect to target that specific spell, regardless of whether it is a "free-standing" spell (i.e. Stinking Cloud) or on a creature (Polymorph) or an object. However, reading the spell description, it appears that this interpretation of the spell is not clear. (1): The "[B]Target or Area[/B]" is "One spellcaster, creature, or object; or 30-ft.-radius burst." No mention of "one spell" as a target. (2): The second line of the description states "You can use dispel magic to end ongoing spells that have been cast on a creature or object, to temporarily suppress the magic abilities of an item, to end ongoing spells (or at least their effects) within an area, or to counter another spellcaster's spell." If taken literally (as we should), this allows for 4 options: (a) to end spells (plural) cast on a creature or object [i.e. Target = creature or object], (b) to suppress a magic item [i.e. Target = object], (c) to end spells within an area (which appears to refer to an "Area Dispel" - i.e. Target = 30-ft.-radius burst), or (d) to counterspell [i.e. Target = spellcaster]. These four options seem to tie into the "Target or Area" definition above. Reading analytically, none of these options appears to allow the dispelling of a "free-standing" spell (i.e. Stinking Cloud) without use of the "Area Dispel" option. (3): A "[B]Targeted Dispel[/B]" is defined as targeting "one object, creature, or spell." This is at odds with the "[B]Target or Area[/B]" definition, since it states that one "target" of a dispel magic is a "spell." If we look back on the second line of the description, the only option that allows us to target a "spell" would appear to be part (c), ending spells in an area. However, this is an "Area Dispel," and as such should not be discussed under the caption of a "Targeted Dispel." This cannot refer to option (d) - counterspell, since the "counterspell" use of dispel magic targets a "spellcaster," not a "spell." Therefore, a "spell" can apparently be the target of a "targeted dispel," contrary to the "[B]Target or Area[/B]" parameters of the spell. (4): The second sentence of the "[B]Targeted Dispel[/B]" subsection states "You make a dispel check against the spell [U]or[/U] against each ongoing spell currently in effect on the object or creature" (emphasis added). This appears to reinforce the idea that you can target "a spell" or "a creature or an object". Again, remember that this is all under the heading of a "[B]Targeted Dispel[/B]" rather than an "[B]Area Dispel[/B]". (5): The examples provided under "[B]Targeted Dispel[/B]" do not appear to resolve the issue. The first example states that Mialee casts dispel magic on a hasted, mage armored, strengthened drow. The target of the action is the drow, not the spells. Thus, this is an example of dispel magic cast on a creature, which we all agree (I assume) forces a dispel attempt on each and every spell in effect on that creature. The second example does not help either, since it refers to targeting "an object or creature" that is the effect of a spell. Well, what does this all mean? I know what it means to me - it means (a) the spell is not clear, and (b) when I find a spell that's not clear, I make my own ruling. If you're looking for the one true answer, it's my opinion that there is no clear answer in the text of the PHB (maybe someone with the SRD can see if there are any clarifications in there). And of course with all due respect, I also don't believe that the Sage's response clears up the issue. The text of the spell appears to say two different things, and like all good DMs, I have to make the call myself. YMMV, 2 cp, yadda yadda yadda Joren [/QUOTE]
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