Pathfinder 1E Sundering with Spells

[ObjectivePerspective]

Say a wizard wants to destroy something on another character/monster with a spell. My first idea is turning a fighter's sword into slag with Scorching Ray. Other spells and other targets (packs, armor, shields, helms etc..) come to mind as well. I'm thinking standard Sunder rules for a touch-attack ray like Scorch there...but what about other spells? Thoughts?

 

[PoorPC]

Any spells that affect objects that can directly or indirectly damage them can potentially sunder.

Scorch does not affect objects though.

 

[I'm A Banana]

I'd still allow it 'cuz it's a ray of scorching heat, and there's no reason that ray would only affect a living thing. Dur.

And then I'd basically use the rules for hitting small objects with your attacks, and I'd have you "roll" instead of using your saving throw DC (with the same bonuses), and if you hit, okay, that object gets scorched (precise effects are going to be up to heavy DM interpretation, but I like clever uses, so sure).

Hitting small object targets with ranged attacks is tough, though.

 

[ObjectivePerspective]

Any spells that affect objects that can directly or indirectly damage them can potentially sunder.

Scorch does not affect objects though.

Yes it does. If a target rolls a natural one on his save up to 4 most likely items as per table 9-2 take damage. There is your "indirect".

 

[PoorPC]

Yeah you are right, the natural 1.

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicOverview/spellDescriptions.htm[h=5]Automatic Failures and Successes[/h] A natural 1 (the d20 comes up 1) on a saving throw is always a failure, and the spell may cause damage to exposed items (see Items surviving after a saving throw, below). A natural 20 (the d20 comes up 20) is always a success.