HELP - questions about Antimagic Field for tonight's game.

[Artoomis]

1. If you make a melee attack into an antimagiuc shield while you are still out of it, what effects still apply? Example: Divine Might (no?), magic weapon (no, of course), magically enhanced strength bonuses (yes?)...

2. Some spells are not affected (Wall of Force, etc.). Can such spells be cast from within an Antimagic Field?

3. What about spells that only have a chance of working (M...'s Disjunction)? Can they be cast from within an Antimagic Field?

4. What happens to other spells cast while in an Antimagic Field? Are they "suppressed" so that they are cast and used up, or is an attempt to cast simply unsuccessfull and the spell is still aviable to be cast later?

Number one can be answered from the rules, I think. I think that all effects that directly improve attack/damage rolls would not apply. These would include Divine Might, but not Bull's Strength. I hope that makes sense.

Numbers 2-4 seem unclear to me. Opinions? I need your thoughts for tonight's game.

 

[andargor]

I would say that any effects on the attacker remain, unless the attacker has to enter the defender's square (and hence the Antimagic Field) or if the attacker uses natural weapons.

AFAIK, nowhere in the description of Antimagic Field does it say that casting is prevented, so yes you could cast from within the field and target inside the field but the effect would be suppressed. You could even cast on a target outside the field and it would have an effect.

Andargor

 

[Artoomis]

Okay, so for number (1) above you are saying that Divine Might, which gives you a damage bonus when you use up a turning attempt, should still apply?

How about Smiting Evil? It's a supernatural ability, so we know that it is magical. But it clearly relies on the target's properties (being evil). The target is in the antimagic field, but the attacking paladin is not. So would that work?

 

[Shayuri]

1. If you make a melee attack into an antimagiuc shield while you are still out of it, what effects still apply? Example: Divine Might (no?), magic weapon (no, of course), magically enhanced strength bonuses (yes?)...

-- If the attacker has enough reach in his weapon to hit without putting the wielder in the field (remember the field is a 10 foot radius), then magical effects on the wielder are not suppressed. Magic effects on the weapon are. Of the effects you list:

Divine Might - Not suppressed.
Magic Weapon - Is.
Enhanced Strength - Not, unless it's granted by the weapon.

2. Some spells are not affected (Wall of Force, etc.). Can such spells be cast from within an Antimagic Field?

-- They can be cast, but will be suppressed. In this case the pre-existing spell in that area has "squatter's rights" and will not yield to a casting of another spell. An antimagic field will not suppress a wall of force that's already up when they intersect areas, but neither can a wall of force be brought into being in a pre-existing antimagic field. When the field is moved out of the wall's desired area, it will then come into being. This applies to any effect listed as not being suppressed by an antimagic field (prismatic sphere, etc).

3. What about spells that only have a chance of working (M...'s Disjunction)? Can they be cast from within an Antimagic Field?

-- They can be cast, and will have their normal percent chance of disrupting the antimagic field. If that fails, the spell is suppressed normally and has no effect.

4. What happens to other spells cast while in an Antimagic Field? Are they "suppressed" so that they are cast and used up, or is an attempt to cast simply unsuccessfull and the spell is still aviable to be cast later?

-- They are cast normally. If the duration is instantaneous, the spell is wasted. If the duration is timed, the time spent suppressed in the field counts against that duration as though the spell were in effect. In either case the cast spell is discharged from the caster normally.

How about Smiting Evil? It's a supernatural ability, so we know that it is magical. But it clearly relies on the target's properties (being evil). The target is in the antimagic field, but the attacking paladin is not. So would that work?

-- This is a GM call. If the paladin is not in the field, but the target is, the rules are unclear. Alignment is not suppressed by an antimagic field. However, if the GM rules that Smite Evil causes magic energy to surge through the weapon TO the target, it would logically be suppressed. If the GM rules that the Smiting is contained purely within the paladin, and manifests as a burst of incredible strength, then it would not be.

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The preceding post contains opinions and rulings based on personal experience and readings from magazine articles. GM's discretion is advised.

 

[Artoomis]

<bump>

More opinions, please. I want to be fair to my players. but also to the monsters.

 

[Artoomis]

<bump>

More opinions, please. I want to be fair to my players. but also to the monsters.

 

[Artoomis]

<bump>

More opinions, please. I want to be fair to my players. but also to the monsters.

 

[reapersaurus]

Have you ever played in an AMF before?
It is unbelievably restrictive - there is ONE THING the AMF is for, and that is negating all magic.
There is no way a Divine Might should work, nor any weapon enhancements or spells on the weapon.
Smite Evil, either.

Magically enhanced STR bonus... that's the only one that doesn't seem clear to me.
Basically, think of what feel right - if the creature in the AMF is giving up ALL bonuses from magic, than so should the people attacking him in melee.
It's only 'fair', and the intent of the spell, IMO.

 

[CRGreathouse]

1. I agree with your examples: Divine Might (no), magic weapon (no), magically enhanced strength bonuses (yes).
2. I'd say no.
3. Ditto.
4. If you let players cast within an antimagic field, the spells should be suppressed for the duration of the AMF (unless the effect is mobile and leaves the AMF). I'd just disallow casting within, but that's just me.