Do mindflayer mindblasts affect constructs and undead?

[Infiniti2000]

The mind blast is not a mind-affecting effect...

I think you are thinking that "mind blast" means "blasting a mind" rather than "blasting with a mind". If you use the second meaning, it's no longer a funny comment, right?

 

[Nebulous]

I think you are thinking that "mind blast" means "blasting a mind" rather than "blasting with a mind". If you use the second meaning, it's no longer a funny comment, right?

I've always thought of it as the former definition actually, your "mind" is being blasted by an outside source.

 

[Infiniti2000]

I've always thought of it as the former definition actually, your "mind" is being blasted by an outside source.

Knowing that mind flayers are psionic creatures, I've always read it as an attack by the mind of the illithid. Whatever part of the victim(s) were affected were never specified, much like a monk's stunning fist. Is it causing the victim's brain to shut down, affecting their nervous system, or muscular system? Why restrict it?

So, no, I definitely don't think it's mind affecting. I think it's called mind blast because that's what he uses to blast you.

 

[Nebulous]

So, no, I definitely don't think it's mind affecting. I think it's called mind blast because that's what he uses to blast you.

since the point has been brought up, does the mind blast create a "force-like" effect that causes damage to the entire physical body, including/excluding inanimate objects, or is it an visible/invisible psychic effect that targets a living brain and shorts it out? Or something else?

 

[mvincent]

Interestingly, fox's cunning and owl's wisdom are also not mind-effecting (and so could be used on say, a skeleton).

 

[Infiniti2000]

Interestingly, fox's cunning and owl's wisdom are also not mind-effecting (and so could be used on say, a skeleton).

Sure, but in the case of fox's cunning, it has no effect. The skeleton's Int score goes from - to -+4, which is also -. Casting owl's wisdom on the skeletons (or perhaps mass owl's wisdom) is a fine idea*, especially if you plan on them having to make lots of Will saves vs. cure spells.

* Probably not the best use of an evil cleric's resources, but not exactly a waste of time either if he values the work/money invested in his undead minions.

 

[mvincent]

in the case of fox's cunning, it has no effect. The skeleton's Int score goes from - to -+4, which is also -.

I was pondering that after I posted, but I couldn't find a reference in the SRD. I believe you are correct, but I was wondering if you could point me to a reference that clarifies it?

 

[shilsen]

Knowing that mind flayers are psionic creatures, I've always read it as an attack by the mind of the illithid. Whatever part of the victim(s) were affected were never specified, much like a monk's stunning fist. Is it causing the victim's brain to shut down, affecting their nervous system, or muscular system? Why restrict it?

So, no, I definitely don't think it's mind affecting. I think it's called mind blast because that's what he uses to blast you.

Agreed. I've always figured it was Mind Blast because the illithid was blasting you with his mind.

 

[MarkB]

Agreed. I've always figured it was Mind Blast because the illithid was blasting you with his mind.

Wouldn't that be awfully messy?

 

[mvincent]

Agreed. I've always figured it was Mind Blast because the illithid was blasting you with his mind.

Heh... maybe illithids are called mind-flayers because they flay people with their minds? And what does that say about say, Mindwipe?