Swatting the Shifter

[Eccles]

or How to Defeat Wildshaping

I've got a brand new character in my game. A wildshaping mnk1/wiz5/Shifter 5.

He shifts into a Troll, casts Bull's Strength, Endurance, Owl's Wisdom, Mage Armour and Shield on himself. His AC jumps by about 22 points, which is just scary.

It just occurred to me to read the rules for Dispel Magic, and lo and behold: "Dispel magic affects spell-like effects just as it affects spells."

Question is: What level spell does Wild Shape count as?

Druids get it at 5th level, so that would seem logical.

He's got it as a result of knowing Alter Self, a 2nd level spell, so I could argue that it could have a Dispel DC of 14!

What are your thoughts?

And can anyone else come up with another idea?

 

[Dwarmaj]

Level of the spell has nothing to do with it. Dispel magic can dispel the ongoing effects of spell-like or supernatural abilities. The caster level check is 1d20+1/level (max 10) vs 11+caster level. The tricky part is what should your monk1/wiz5/shifter5 caster level be with respect to Greater Wildshape. I believe it's 11. The SRD states (in the creature overview of Special Qualities) that if no caster level is given, then use the creature's Hit Dice.

So in your case, a 11th level wizard will have to roll "11" or better to dispel the wildshape of your shifter. Note: a targeted dispel should wipe out all of the lower level buff spells as well.

If you wanted to know what level equvilance Greater Wildshape should be (for an area dispel), 4rd seems best. On par with Polymorph Self. It only affects when it gets checked, not how tough it is to dispel.

 

[Eccles]

The tricky part is what should your monk1/wiz5/shifter5 caster level be with respect to Greater Wildshape. I believe it's 11. The SRD states (in the creature overview of Special Qualities) that if no caster level is given, then use the creature's Hit Dice.

Right. I follow the reasoning, but might disagree in my game. It makes sense to base the save on the HD of demons or devils - after all, all of their HD are based in magic, and are all related to the special powers.

This PC's only relevant HD are the ones with the Wildshape ability, surely?

A druid-shifter would have more experience in the wildshape power than a wizard/monk-shifter, leading to a higher caster level equivalent.