How to defeat KNOCK!!!

[Mark Chance]

Doors and/or walls that are mysteriously immune to all the players' abilities, tools, and ingenuity is cool... once. After that, it just becomes annoying and breaks the flow of the game.

QFT. D&D isn't about me pitting the rules against the players in an effort to neutralize their characters' abilities. It's not that kind of game.

Still, if defeating knock were suddenly an important part of a particular scenario, I don't need a rule-text way to defeat knock. All I need is this little bit of script. Feel free to use it your own game if you'd like.

Player: I cast knock on the door.

DM: The spell has no effect.

Player: Why not?

DM: You don't know.

If necessary, here's the more advanced continuation:

Player: I cast detect magic on the door.

DM: It has an aura.

Player: I concentrate longer. What kind of aura?

DM: Moderate abjuration.

Badda-bing. I just defeated knock.

 

[Jack Simth]

True DM fiat = infinite hardness.

But I've seen a number of comments about people complaining an adamantine toothpick is able to break through doors because the metal defeats low hardness.

Yes, but if a +1 Greatsword won't punch through an iron door when handled by a guy who's overcoming hardness the hard way, then as soon as a bunch of swordsmen come my way my 9th level Wizard can just cast Wall of Iron and laugh at them.

The "ineffective weapons" bit is more intended for things like whips on walls.

QFT. D&D isn't about me pitting the rules against the players in an effort to neutralize their characters' abilities. It's not that kind of game.

Still, if defeating knock were suddenly an important part of a particular scenario, I don't need a rule-text way to defeat knock. All I need is this little bit of script. Feel free to use it your own game if you'd like.

Player: I cast knock on the door.

DM: The spell has no effect.

Player: Why not?

DM: You don't know.

If necessary, here's the more advanced continuation:

Player: I cast detect magic on the door.

DM: It has an aura.

Player: I concentrate longer. What kind of aura?

DM: Moderate abjuration.

Badda-bing. I just defeated knock.

And when they follow up with Analyze Dweomer at later levels?

 

[osinbar4]

Unless the PCs have a wand of Knock, it doesn't seem to be a big problem. Every spell slot used for a Knock spell is one that can't be used for something else. These things tend to work temselves out.

 

[Mark Chance]

And when they follow up with Analyze Dweomer at later levels?

It's not like that's a gotcha! spell. Additional script provided pro bono.

Player: Hmm. I cast analyze dweomer. "In the case of an object or creature with active spells cast upon it, you learn each spell, its effect, and its caster level."

DM: You get some peculiar results. The divination reveals nothing. That must mean that whatever effect is on the door isn't a spell.

 

[Maldor]

or write up a 3rd or 4th level spell that stops knock i mean jeeze what would that be three lines maybe

 

[Felix]

All you have to do is put a plaque on the wall next to the door that says:



WILL OPEN IN THE EVENT OF PLOT PROGRESSION



That's what you're doing anyways, neh? May as well save some time.