Rings, duration of effect

[marune]

When a ring is activated (with the command word), does the spell effect (let's say Invisibility) has a fixed duration (like 1 min / caster level) or not ?

Thanks.

 

[marune]

Okay, I found the answer by myself in the FAQ, the duration is by caster level.

 

[Cheiromancer]

I've found that happens to me a lot: as soon as I post a question, I find an answer. Or as soon as I post a "finished" feat/class/spell/house rule I immediately find something I want to change.

I think rings of invisibility should be use activated, not command activated. Having them "turn off" every few minutes is kinda lame, IMHO.

 

[Len]

I think rings of invisibility should be use activated, not command activated. Having them "turn off" every few minutes is kinda lame, IMHO.

It's a bit lame, but if a ring's duration is a few minutes you can just assume that you're re-activating it between encounters. It's not worth the trouble to keep track of the exact time between encounters as you're traipsing through the dungeon.

 

[Cheiromancer]

Hmmm. Bilbo was wearing the One Ring when he was knocked unconscious at the Battle of the Five Armies. He stayed invisible until he woke up.

Of course, the One Ring is far more than a ring of invisibility, but it still is my standard as to how a ring of invisibility should work. Activated by being worn, and active indefinitely.

The standard ring of invisibility reminds me of those motion detector light switches that turn off the light if you keep too still; every few minutes you have to wave your hand around. Very annoying.

Anyways, that's just where I'm coming from.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

The One Ring is not just a ring of invisibility. It is an artefact. You can expect those to pack some extra punch. The One Ring won't make you visible when you attack someone, either.

 

[Endur]

In previous editions of D&D, most rings had their effects last continually. 3e has more rings that operate on command.

Still, I would say whether the duration of the Ring of Invisibility expires is up to the GM.

The only Ring spell effects that have to have a duration where they expire would be charged effects.

The one ring is a slightly different case, since it provided Improved Invisibility or Greater Invisibility or whatever we call the invisibility where you can fight while invisible.

 

[Tatsukun]

Well, we once had a rogue with a ring of invisibility and he had a habit of getting knocked to low negative hit points. The DM graciously allowed heal checks on invisible people, but he eventually died when nobody could find him after a battle and he bleed to death.

Sometimes, you want your friends to find you!

-Tatsu

 

[dcollins]

Okay, I found the answer by myself in the FAQ, the duration is by caster level.

That's a FAQ entry that I disagree with, because it's simply not in the rules. The FAQ entry is even self-contradictory, because it uses an example of spell turning as an exceptional effect that does not have a duration, yet the spell turning spell has a limited duration just like any other spell.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

That's a FAQ entry that I disagree with, because it's simply not in the rules.

Really?

To use a magic item, it must be activated, although sometimes activation simply means putting a ring on your finger. Some items, once donned, function constantly.

...

Use Activated: This type of item simply has to be used in order to activate it. A character has to drink a potion, swing a sword, interpose a shield to deflect a blow in combat, look through a lens, sprinkle dust, wear a ring, or don a hat. Use activation is generally straightforward and self-explanatory.

Many use-activated items are objects that a character wears. Continually functioning items are practically always items that one wears. A few must simply be in the character’s possession (on his person). However, some items made for wearing must still be activated. Although this activation sometimes requires a command word (see above), usually it means mentally willing the activation to happen.

Activation: Usually, a ring’s ability is activated by a command word (a standard action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity) or it works continually. Some rings have exceptional activation methods, according to their descriptions.

Invisibility: By activating this simple silver ring, the wearer can benefit from invisibility, as the spell.
Faint illusion; CL 3rd; Forge Ring, invisibility; Price 20,000 gp.

Mind Shielding: This ring is usually of fine workmanship and wrought from heavy gold. The wearer is continually immune to detect thoughts, discern lies, and any attempt to magically discern her alignment.
Faint aburation; CL 3rd; Forge Ring, nondetection; Price 8,000 gp.

Duration: 1 min./level (D)

So, it seems to me that the FAQ is perfectly justified by the RAW when it says that some magic items - even including rings - must be activated.

The Ring of Invisibility is just such an item, since the ring's description itself mentions that it must be activated. Since no other information is given, the default is a command word, a standard action which does not provoke an AoO. It grants invisibility, as the spell, as CL 3.

This means that the Ring of Invisibilty will, on command, make you invisible for 3 minutes or until you break the terms of the invisibility spell.

In contrast, the Ring of Mind Shielding does not need to be activated, as it works continuously. Accordingly, anyone who dons this particular ring benefits from it until they remove the ring.