Dispel magic qn

[hong]

In 3.5E, dispel magic no longer works on supernatural effects.

A character is using a ring of invisibility to sneak around undetected. A wizard suspects there's an invisible guy around, and casts an area dispel. Would it reveal the sneaking guy?

 

[reveal]

In 3.5E, dispel magic no longer works on supernatural effects.

A character is using a ring of invisibility to sneak around undetected. A wizard suspects there's an invisible guy around, and casts an area dispel. Would it reveal the sneaking guy?

Dispel Magic states that you can use it "...to temporarily suppress the
magical abilities of a magic item..."

With that, I would say the magical properties of the ring would go away and the sneaky guy would become visible since the ring would not function magically for a bit.

 

[hong]

Dispel Magic states that you can use it "...to temporarily suppress the
magical abilities of a magic item..."

With that, I would say the magical properties of the ring would go away and the sneaky guy would become visible since the ring would not function magically for a bit.

However, that would require the item to be targeted, which means the wizard would need to be able to see the invisible guy.

 

[reveal]

However, that would require the item to be targeted, which means the wizard would need to be able to see the invisible guy.

Let's look at 3 things to figure this out:

Dispel Magic (PHB p223), when used as an Area Effect, the spells within that area are dispelled with a successful dispel check.

In the DMG, the definition of a Ring "is a circular metal band worn on the finger... that has a spell-like power..." (p211) The description of the actually Ring of Invisibility states that "the wearer can benefit from invisibility, as the spell." (p232)

In the MM (p7), it describes a Spell-Like ability as "magical and work just like spells..."

If we take all three points in to consideration, one could surmise that the Ring of Invisibility benefits the wearer with a spell-like ability that works just like a spell and, therefore, is subject to disposal via the Dispel Magic spell.

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

BUT, if the invisible character has more than one magic effect active when the Area Dispel is cast, only ONE can be dispelled, and thus, the character could stay invisible if the wizard is unlucky.

AR

 

[dcollins]

My ruling would be that dispel magic is useless against the invisibility-generating magic item.

(1) I agree that you'd have to see the item to do an item-targetted dispel, so that's out of the question.
(2) I'm of the opinion that continual magic items do not simply cast a spell on the user, they are in fact continual (and require the targetted dispel to deactive). Therefore an area dispel can't deactivate a magic item.
(3) It's academic, by I also don't consider the supernatural prohibition to make a difference, since magic items are not supernatural or any other category of special abilities.

 

[Voadam]

In 3.5E, dispel magic no longer works on supernatural effects.

A character is using a ring of invisibility to sneak around undetected. A wizard suspects there's an invisible guy around, and casts an area dispel. Would it reveal the sneaking guy?

No, effects of magic items are not affected by area dispels in 3.5 unless they are actually spells.

Area Dispel: When dispel magic is used in this way, the spell affects everything within a 30-foot radius.
For each creature within the area that is the subject of one or more spells, you make a dispel check against the spell with the highest caster level. If that check fails, you make dispel checks against progressively weaker spells until you dispel one spell (which discharges the dispel magic spell so far as that target is concerned) or until you fail all your checks. The creature’s magic items are not affected.
For each object within the area that is the target of one or more spells, you make dispel checks as with creatures. Magic items are not affected by an area dispel.
For each ongoing area or effect spell whose point of origin is within the area of the dispel magic spell, you can make a dispel check to dispel the spell.
For each ongoing spell whose area overlaps that of the dispel magic spell, you can make a dispel check to end the effect, but only within the overlapping area.
If an object or creature that is the effect of an ongoing spell (such as a monster summoned by monster summoning) is in the area, you can make a dispel check to end the spell that conjured that object or creature (returning it whence it came) in addition to attempting to dispel spells targeting the creature or object.
You may choose to automatically succeed on dispel checks against any spell that you have cast.

Invisibility: By activating this simple silver ring, the wearer can benefit from invisibility, as the spell.
Faint illusion; CL 3rd; Forge Ring, invisibility; Price 20,000 gp.

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

IMO, the invisibility could suppressed, but the enchantment on your sword couldn't (as targetted dispels can render a magical item inoperative for some time).

You could cast an area dispel and suppress the invisibility, THEN cast a targetted dispel on the ring, thus stopping the creature from using the ring for a couple of rounds.

AR

 

[Dash Dannigan]

Under Area Dispel in the PHB 3.5it says: "Magic Items are not affected by an area dispel."

The ring when activated effectively casts invisibility on the wearer, so this effect can be dispelled. However there is nothing preventing the wielder of the ring from activating the ring again on the following round. So, as Altamont said, if you want to suppress the rings magic from further activations.

Probably better to cast arcane sight or see invisible in this case or cast something like Mislead and wait till the invisible guy attacks the image, appears, then blast him.

 

[Master Psion]

Dash is right. The effect of the ring can be surpressed by an area dispel but the person can just reactivate the ring's ability the following round. You're better off to cast see invisibility or arcane sight or just summon a creature with the ability to see invisible and attack the person wearing the ring.