invisibility vs. dispel magic

[azhrei_fje]

I never did like the idea that perception of the spellcaster was so critical to rule adjudication. IMO, the same problem arises with mirror image and magic missile, or mirror image and the Cleave feat(s). There is circular logic employed in any ruling about whether magic missile affects an image, for example.

One of these days I may sit down and rephrase either mirror image or magic missile (or maybe the Illusion school of spells) so that they work reasonably well but don't have all the contradictions.

Then again, one of these days maybe I won't.

 

[Jhulae]

Well, we know this:

Attacks: Some spell descriptions refer to attacking. All offensive combat actions, even those that don’t damage opponents are considered attacks. Attempts to turn or rebuke undead count as attacks. All spells that opponents resist with saving throws, that deal damage, or that otherwise harm or hamper subjects are attacks. Spells that summon monsters or other allies are not attacks because the spells themselves don’t harm anyone.

Well, to really take a literal reading, Dispel Magic doesn't force anyone to resist with a saving throw, it doesn't deal damage, it doesn't harm, nor does it hamper.

ham·per1 (hăm'pər) pronunciation
tr.v., -pered, -per·ing, -pers.

To prevent the free movement, action, or progress of.

A spell that doesn't harm but does hamper, for instance, would be entangle or web, which would cause an invisible caster to become visible.

So, I'd say that casting a Dispel Magic wouldn't cause someone to become visible, whether or not an enemy is in the effect.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Well, to really take a literal reading, Dispel Magic doesn't force anyone to resist with a saving throw, it doesn't deal damage, it doesn't harm, nor does it hamper.

Right.

Did you stop reading at that point, for some reason?

Go back to the post you quoted, and read on - that's not the only definition of 'attack' pertinent to invisibility. The Invisibility spell itself contains more, specific to the spell.

-Hyp.