Cube of Force Questions; Need Explanation

[Korak]

Would someone be kind enough to post a coherent explanation of how a Cube of Force works? The debate in my group has not been resolved. The full text of the cube is below. In addition to a better explanation, would someone answer on what settings does the cube keep out:

1) Magic Items
2) Worn Magic Items
3) Creatures with magical effects on them, distinct from magic items
4) Creatures with nonmagical clothing

What qualifies as "magic"?

Thank you.

Cube of Force: This device is about 3/4 inch across and can be made of ivory, bone, or any hard mineral. It enables its possessor to put up a special wall of force 10 feet on a side around her person. This cubic screen moves with the character and is impervious to the attack forms mentioned on the table below. The cube has 36 charges, which are renewed each day. The possessor presses one face of the cube to activate a particular type of screen or to deactivate the device. Each effect costs a certain number of charges to maintain for every minute (or portion of a minute) it is in operation. Also, when an effect is active, the possessor’s speed is limited to the maximum value given on the table.
When the cube of force is active, attacks dealing more than 30 points of damage drain 1 charge for every 10 points of damage beyond 30 that they deal. Spells that affect the integrity of the screen also drain extra charges. These spells (given in the list below) cannot be cast into or out of the cube:

Cube Face Charge Cost per Minute Maximum Speed Effect
1 1 30 ft. Keeps out gases, wind, etc.
2 2 20 ft. Keeps out nonliving matter
3 3 15 ft. Keeps out living matter
4 4 10 ft. Keeps out magic
5 6 10 ft. Keeps out all things

Attack form: Horn of Blasting Extra Charges=6
Wall of Fire 2, Passwall 3, Disintegrate 6, Phase Door 5, Prismatic Spray 7

 

[Korak]

Bah, Strongbow... use your own login for your questions please...

I'd post my views, but you already know them.

 

[strongbow]

After all the times you inadvertently used my login, you chide me for doing the same to you? I wasn't posting any views anyway. Bah indeed

 

[Dwarmaj]

For the side that "keeps out magic", my group plays it as it keeps out anything with a magical aura. Whether it be spells, magic items, or spells cast on creatures or objects.

If each side is looked at individually and the side that "keeps out all things" is a "sum" of sides 2-5, then it kinda makes sense.

 

[Sir Whiskers]

1) Magic Items
2) Worn Magic Items
3) Creatures with magical effects on them, distinct from magic items
4) Creatures with nonmagical clothing

...snip...

Cube Face Charge Cost per Minute Maximum Speed Effect
1 1 30 ft. Keeps out gases, wind, etc.
2 2 20 ft. Keeps out nonliving matter
3 3 15 ft. Keeps out living matter
4 4 10 ft. Keeps out magic
5 6 10 ft. Keeps out all things

This is how I play it:

Cube face 1 - No effect on 1, 2, 3, or 4 above, except that I'd still allow it to block effects based on gas/wind, e.g., gust of wind or cloudkill.

Cube face 2 - Blocks 1, 2 above. Blocks all clothing and items worn by 3 and 4 above, which effectively blocks the creatures until the items are removed. Blocks spells attached to non-living magic, e.g., GMW on arrows.

Cube face 3 - Blocks 3, 4 above. Blocks 1 and 2 above if worn by a living creature. But, a magical spear could be thrust through the cube of force, so long as the wielder did not try to penetrate the cube. Also, while golems are creatures, they are not typically alive, and can therefore pass through cube face 3.

Cube face 4 - I rule this only keeps out magic effects, so it would have no effect on 1, 2, 3, or 4 above. An argument can be made that anything magical is also blocked.

Cube face 5 - Nothing comes in, period. No creatures. No non-living. No magic. No gases/wind. I'd rule that means no oxygen either, so be careful how long you stay inside.

 

[strongbow]

Indeed, what qualifies as magic?

A) Spell Effects only
B) Spells & Spell-like abilities only
C) A, B, & Supernatural effects (Because Antimagic Field blocks them)
D) All of the above, and anything that has the slightest bit of magic to it.

Should a distinction between arrows that are fired from a magic bow and arrows have actual enhancement/properties themselves?

I personally find the "magic" setting to be the most problematic, beyond the patently insane DR 30/-