Dispel Magic vs Mind Blast

[Shadowdweller]

The DM of a group I play in made me promise to go to one of the forums I frequent and err...get the general consensus or SOMETHING regarding the following:

As many no doubt are aware, Mind-flayers (tm, MM version) have the ability to mind-blast creatures...as a spell-like ability. As per the RAW, (some) spell-like abilities can be dispelled. The question, I BELIEVE, is whether the mind-blast is an instanteous effect (which can't be dispelled via Dispel Magic) which just happens to leave the victim(s) stunned or whether it does in fact have a duration that can be cancelled.

The problem stems from the fact that unlike most other spell-like abilities, mind-blast does not replicate a spell and thus lacks an actual spell listing.

So, thoughts, opinions, precedent rulings, RAW quotes anyone?

 

[3d6]

The original 3rd edition Psionics Handbook had mind blast as a sort of power, and its duration was instantaneous. However, the Psionics Handbook had mind blast as a supernatural ability, so I don't know how much precedent that would set.

 

[Krelios]

It can't be instantaneous and have a duration. Instantaneous effects exist either for the instant they are cast (i.e. fireball) or from the casting of the spell until something else changes their existence (i.e. wall of stone). Since a Mind Blast has a duration, it is susceptible to dispelling.

 

[green slime]

The mind blast is instantaneous, and can't be dispelled. The stunning is an after-effect, similar to the small smoulderings of paper and wood caught in a fireball. You can't dispell it either.

 

[Vurt]

The closest psionic equivalent would be psionic blast:

Psionic Blast
Telepathy [Mind-Affecting]
Level: Psion/wilder 3
Display: Auditory
Manifesting Time: 1 standard action
Range: 30 ft.
Area: 30-ft. cone-shaped burst
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Will negates
Power Resistance: Yes
Power Points: 5

The air ripples with the force of your mental attack, which blasts the minds of all creatures in range. Psionic blast stuns all affected creatures for 1 round.

Augment: For every 2 additional power points you spend, the duration of the stun effect increases by 1 round.

So I would agree that as an instantaneous effect, there is no subsequent dispelling.

Cheers,
Vurt

 

[Henrix]

Colour Spray is an instantaneous spell that causes the subjects to be stunned for up to 2d4 rounds.

I am bound to say that Mind Blast is similar.