Cube of Force questions

[wilykat]

In general, does a Cube of Force set to keep things out also keep things in? i.e. if I have a friend in my CoF and activate the "keep all things out" power, can he leave?

If I have a CoF set to "keep magic out" and my friend wants to leave, will his magic items cause a problem?

 

[Infiniti2000]

In general, does a Cube of Force set to keep things out also keep things in? i.e. if I have a friend in my CoF and activate the "keep all things out" power, can he leave?

No, yes.

If I have a CoF set to "keep magic out" and my friend wants to leave, will his magic items cause a problem?

No.

 

[wilykat]

okay, more questions:

If I have it set to "keep everything out" can my friend come in (but not my enemy)?

If I have it set to "keep magic out" can my friend carrying a +2 sword come in? Similarly, can someone hit me with a +2 sword if they're outside?

 

[Infiniti2000]

If I have it set to "keep everything out" can my friend come in (but not my enemy)?

Nope. Everything means everything. You could of course deactivate it and reactivate it, but those require actions. The best thing is to ready an action to activate it as soon as your friend enters the area.

If I have it set to "keep magic out" can my friend carrying a +2 sword come in? Similarly, can someone hit me with a +2 sword if they're outside?

This is a much more arguable question. IMO, and I think the prevailing consensus from past discussions, the intent of the item is to prevent magic spells from entering as they are cast. Not buff (or even harmful) spells that are active on an individual, and not magic items (though it would keep out magical effects from items and even supernatural effects like a dragon's breath weapon). That said, the item does only stipulate that it 'keeps out magic." This unfortunately is so vague that a DM (or player) could interpret it as I think the intent is or even so far as what you suggest. Either is valid per the RAW, but your suggestion is fraught with difficulties when you try to decide what happens with your friend as he tries to run through at full speed with a magical amulet. Or flies. Then again, maybe such occurrences are interesting to you. Whatever floats your boat.

 

[Savage Wombat]

No, yes.
No.

Why do you say this? The Cube is based on wall of force , which clearly says that things can't pass through the wall "in either direction".

If the cube were based on Globe of Invulnerability, I'd agree, but not in this instance.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Why do you say this? The Cube is based on wall of force , which clearly says that things can't pass through the wall "in either direction".

A special wall of force, and it identifies how that wall of force is used. You can't possibly use a wall of force as the basis otherwise because then you couldn't even say it keeps out some things but not others.

So, the reason why I say that is because the item specifically states "Keeps out." That has a much different connotation than, say, "Blocks." An analogy, if I may, a door to the kitchen in a restaurant typically swings one way, with no handle on the other side (usually there are two such doors side-by-side that swing opposite directions). Each door "keeps out" traffic from one direction, but not the other. That's the same ruling I see when the cube of force says "keeps out."

You can choose to rule differently, but I don't think that's supported. I also don't think it's necessary because the cost of the item is quite expensive. The biggest abuse I can see for it is spring attack (or flyby attack or rideby attack). But, at the level this item is available, opponents should have the ability to deal with it or can ready actions, etc. Is there another abuse that I can't see?