Rules Question: Can you use Phase Door while within a Dimensional Lock?

[frankthedm]

Yeah limited wish should be able to yank the guy outa there like he was on a wire.

 

[Warbringer]

FYI Dimensional Lock provides a barrier to dimensional travel into or out of an area, not within an area.

 

[the Jester]

Time to prep xorn movement!

I'd rule that dimension lock renders phase door useless, probably.

 

[scott2978]

There are two answers to this. First, War bringer is correct, there's nothing about Dimensional Lock that implies one cannot teleport within the 1/2 mile radius you mentioned.

Second, if the story needs the PC to be able to do it, then let him do it. Maybe the stakes are so high that a deity took notice and helped him? Maybe there's minor pockets of magic where some artifact or other magical effect is overpowering the Dimention Lock. Maybe it was just lucky. Whenever the module or game mechanics conflict with something necessary for the story, side with the story.

Scott2978

 

[Greenfield]

There are two answers to this. First, War bringer is correct, there's nothing about Dimensional Lock that implies one cannot teleport within the 1/2 mile radius you mentioned.

I'll disagree.

The first two sentences of the spell description state: "You create a shimmering emerald barrier that completely blocks extradimensional travel. Forms of movement barred include astral projection, blink, dimension door, ethereal jaunt, etherealness, gate, maze, plane shift, shadow walk, teleport, and similar spell-like or psionic abilities."

It doesn't matter where the far end of the transport spell is supposed to be, if the spell uses interdimensional travel, or even the possibility of it as an option (Shadow walk), and either end is in the affected ares, the spell fails.

(Note that Shadow Walk *can* be used to travel between dimensions, but its normal use only takes you to the edge of the Material plane where it borders with Shadow. It doesn't normally cross that line.)

And since it bars "similar spell-like or psionic abilities" I'd have to look long and hard at Wish and Limited Wish as well, if the end result is "similar" to any of the above spells.

 

[scott2978]

The reason for my opinion is that the spell doesn't use the typical language used in other 3.x spells for an area affect. I believe the intent of the spell was to create a barrier through which creatures cannot teleport that could encompass an area of specified size. That in itself does not preclude teleporting within the barrier. Plus the statement that the spell has no effect on creatures already ethereal within the area sort of disproves the "blanket of non teleportation" theory. Also keep in mind the original intended space within the barrier was something measured in feet, not miles. Teleporting across the room seems supufluous in most cases, so when you alter the intended use of the spell to encompass a city instead of a room, the law of unintended consequences may apply. Still, I can think of many intentional uses for a spell used in such a way.

It's worth noting that I have used the spell in both ways in my game. Sometimes the story requires an "area of non teleportation" and others need a simpler "barrier". I think as long as you strive to maintain consistency in your adjudication of magic, either way would work and the "right" way is whichever way the story requires.

But I respect the notion that others may see it differently. Whatever works for their players and GMing style.

 

[sheadunne]

And since it bars "similar spell-like or psionic abilities" I'd have to look long and hard at Wish and Limited Wish as well, if the end result is "similar" to any of the above spells.

A picky point here. The spell doesn't say "similar spells" only similar spell-like or psionic abilities. Which is why the question about Phase Door.

I agree about wish and limited wish, if they're used to recreate a spell effect which is blocked. In my opinion, Phase Door, which is a core spell as is Dimensional Lock, is not on the list is because it doesn't cause extradimensional travel. It just creates a mode for extra dimensional travel. The spell itself can't be blocked by Dimensional Lock since no travel is done at the casting of the spell, unlike all the other spells on the list, save Gate, which I think causes the problem. Half of Gate should be blocked but the Conjuration(Creation) part should not. The question then becomes, if you create the Phase Door, or Gate for that matter, which is allowed, is the travel through the Gate or Door, a spell use, spell-like or psionic ability and blocked? I say no, most people say yes. To each their own.

 

[scott2978]

Also for crafty players another way around this is Spell Resistance, or plain old Dispel might work, to negate the effects if the Dimension Lock.

 

[delericho]

No. The phase door can still create the ethereal tunnel, but the dimensional lock prevents you from using it. If the DL expires first, though, the PD would then become accessible.

And, incidentally, I wouldn't allow limited wish to override it either - dimensional lock is an 8th level spell, and therefore extremely powerful. Since limited wish can only simulate spells of up to 6th level (or generate comparable effects) it shouldn't be powerful enough to bypass this.

A full wish, on the other hand, should be enough.

 

[Greenfield]

The way I read it, the spell stops anyone from using any magic or psionic effects that depend on leaving the plane.

The presence or absence of ethereal or astral bodies in the same vicinity is irrelevant, unless they try to cross the planar boundary.

As for Phase Door itself: If it functions by displacing the wall to Ethereal space to create a tunnel in the material plane, it fails from the word go.

If it functions by tunneling through Ethereal space to bypass the physical wall, the spell might work, but you couldn't access the tunnel while the Dimensional Anchor spell was in effect.

Personally I'm more inclined to think in terms of option #2, but that's just me.