Mind-Affecting... implications of the rule?

[CRGreathouse]

Originally posted on the Wizards D&D boards:

What does immunity to mind affecting effects really mean? Does it mean that an individual is simply not subject to mind affecting magic (spells or abilities alike) or does it go even further? I mean are all those individuals emotionally void and, thus, there is no way (magical or nonmagical one) to instill emotions such as anger, hate, love, passion, etc. in them?

I thought this was an interesting idea. What do you think -- does this immunity (for undead, constructs, etc.) mean they're necessarily emotionally devoid, or just that they are immune to certain magics?

Is this generaly true for all with this immunity, or just for some?

Mods: I think this thread belongs in General because it discusses the impact of rules on gameplay, not questioning how the rules work or what they do. If you think this is a Rules thread, though, feel free to move it.

 

[Nifft]

I say: mindless (as many undead) is emotionless.

Immune to mind-affecting (as some fey) is supernaturally capricious.

-- N

 

[Zappo]

Mindless is definitely emotion-less... as for immune to mind-affecting effects, well I don't think that there are many creatures that have a mind but no emotions. Modrons maybe. Can't think of anything else, though. So, I guess that immunity to mind-affecting effects is simply due to some other supernatural trait of the creature in question.

Besides, not all mind-affecting spells deal with emotions... dominate for example doesn't try to instill any emotion in you, it just takes over.

 

[the Jester]

Some creatures that are immune to mind-affecting abilities are clearly emotional- take Strahd, the classic emotional vampire, especially when it comes to his long-lost love. And how many liches burn with hatred?

Mindless, I'd agree, is emotionless.

 

[Deadguy]

Precisely, Jester, you can't place a single reading on all possessors of this trait. Whilst a zombie might indeed be mindless, devoid of emotion or drives, the vampire is so driven, so self-possessed that nothing can touch the redoubt of its mind.

For some, I also like to think that their minds are so different that there's just nothing in common with the usual spellcaster, nothing for his magics to 'bite' into! Of course, this allows for the possibility of feats that represent the insight required to manipulate such minds (cf. the Requiem feat in Song & Silence, that lets a Bard use his bardic music against the Undead).

 

[Nifft]

Ooo, maybe "immune to mind-affecting" means "lacks hormones and chemical imbalances" -- lacks a working, human, physical brain.

-- N