Spell Immunity

[Bauglir]

I believe that spell immunity (specifically the special quality found on some monsters, as opposed to the spell) counts as infinite effective spell resistance vs the range of 'immune' spells, so spells which aren't affected by SR (such as dispel magic) will still affect a spell immune creature.

I can't for the life of me however, find the reference to confirm this.

The best I've been able to come up with was:

Spell Immunity (Su): Rakshasas ignore the effects of spells and spell-like abilities of 8th level or less, just as if the spellcaster had failed to overcome spell resistance.

and

Spell Immunity

Abjuration
Level: Clr 4, Protection 4, Strength 4
Components: V, S, DF
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Target: Creature touched
Duration: 10 minutes/level
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)

The warded creature is immune to the effects of one specified spell for every four levels the character has . The spells must be of 4th level or lower. The warded creature effectively has unbeatable SR regarding the specified spell or spells. Naturally, that spell immunity doesn’t protect a creature from spells for which SR doesn’t apply. Spell immunity protects against spells, spell-like effects of magic items, and innate spell-like abilities of creatures. It does not protect against supernatural or extraordinary abilities, such as breath weapons or gaze attacks. Only a particular spell can be protected against, not a certain domain or school of spells or a group of spells that are similar in effect.

A creature can have only one spell immunity spell in effect on it at a time.

I've had it argued however, that the special quality Spell Immunity works differently to the spell, and that 'just as if the spellcaster had failed to overcome spell resistance' is only flavour text - that the rakshasa is simply immune to all spells of 8th level or lower, regardless of if they are affected by SR.

Has anyone got any more info on this?

Edit: Clarified

 

[Murrdox]

I'm fuzzy on the whole Spell Immunity as well.

As I understand it, if a spell doesn't allow SR, then the creature is not immune to it.

This makes sense for things like Scry, Lemond's Tiny Hut, Summon Monster spells, and other spells that aren't really cast on a creature.

You can't hurt a Rakshasa with a level 1 Magic Missle... but if you summon a Dire Rat with Summon Monster I, that can hurt him.

Otherwise, spells cast on a creature with spell immunity just fail as if the creature had unbeatable SR.

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

My opinion (not backed up with facts) is that using Spell Immunity to make yourself immune to dispel magic would achieve nothing, since dispel magic doesn't affect you, only the spells that are cast upon you.

but that's only my opinion.

 

[Murrdox]

That's how I understand Dispel Magic to work. While it is targeted on a creature, the spell isn't trying to affect the CREATURE at all. It is trying to affect the magical auras ON the creature. Because the creature isn't the target of the spell effect, his SR doesn't come into play.

 

[Silver Surfer]

It's in the D&D MainFAQ:

Can I use spell immunity to make myself immune to the
detect magic spell? How about other spells such as see
invisibility or dispel magic?
No. Spell immunity gives the subject an unbeatable SR
against the specified spell. Since none of the spells named here
are subject to spell resistance, spell immunity is useless against
them.

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

Huzzah! I was right.

 

[Bauglir]

By a strict rules interpretation the target of a targetted dispel would have to be the creature itself I think.

Silver Surfer: That only covers the Spell 'Spell immunity' - I'm interested in the Special Quality some monsters have, for example the Rakshasa's immunity to spells of 8th level or lower.

 

[Kraedin]

The sage has said previously that spell immunity/magic immunity should be treated as unbeatable spell resitance. (Also, according to Savage Species, it can be lowered, just like spell resistance.)

Of course, this doesn't apply to the minotaur.

 

[LokiDR]

It is right in the spell description:

The warded creature effectively has unbeatable SR regarding the specified spell or spells

If the spell doesn't allow SR, you are not immune to it's effects. Examples: Maze, forcecage, transmute rock to mud, and wall of iron.

 

[Bauglir]

Kraedin: Thanks. You don't remember the specific reference do you?

LokiDR: I'm looking for the monster special quality, as opposed to the spell. (I've clarified the original post on that detail )