Ubiquitous MInd Blank Question

[Happy Funball]

Mind Blank

Abjuration
Level: Protection 8, Sor/Wiz 8
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target: One creature
Duration: 1 day
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)

The subject is protected from all devices and spells that detect, influence, or read emotions or thoughts. This spell protects against all mind-affecting spells and effects as well as information gathering by divination spells or effects. Mind blank even foils limited wish, miracle, and wish when they are used in such a way as to affect the subject’s mind or to gain information about him. In the case of scrying that scans an area that the creature is in, such as arcane eye, the spell works but the creature simply isn’t detected. Scrying attempts that are targeted specifically at the subject do not work at all.

I could not find anything in the errata or the FAQ regarding a few questions about what this spell prevents, especially the wording:

as well as information gathering by divination spells or effects.

I am sure this has been asked before, but:

1) Does Mind Blank protect against Detect Magic? Detect Magic is technically not a divination spell (a universal spell) but that would seem to me to be a quirk of the schools and not intent. All other detection spells are divination.

2) See Invisible?

3) True Sight?

It would seem to me that a broad, but not unreasonable, interpretation of "information gathering" would subsume all the different divination spells, even ones not detecting minds at all. That seems awfully powerful. So I am curious what the sages of ENWorld have to say on the matter.

If there exists another thread, feel free to direct me to it. I don't want to start a hot'n'heavy debate, just want to see some other opinions on the matter.

 

[gfunk]

This has been talked about a bit before. I think the general consensus is that Mind Blank blocks the following divinations:

1) All forms of scrying
2) All "discern" type spells
3) Arcane Eye type spells
4) Detect Thoughts
3) Wish/Lim Wish/Miracle used to replicate the above

Other divinations, it was agreed (IIRC) are not prevented. Someone tried to argue that True Strike would be prevented by Mind Blank since it gives the caster information about the target as so to strike him well.

IMC, we allow the spell Non-Detection ward against all other types of divinations (See Invis, True Seeing). Of course, it is not automatic like Mind Blank, it requires a caster check. Also Non-Detection doesn't do squat against mind-effecting spells.

 

[kreynolds]

Here's is a Sage reply on this very topic...

You recently answered a question regarding the Mind Blank spell vs. the effects of True Strike, stating that Mind Blank does not affect True Strike. Many people resting on both sides of the issue we're hoping you could offer an explanation as to why it does not.

True strike doesn't reveal anything about a particular creature, so mind blank has no effect on the spell.

In addition, there have been questions raised concerning how Mind Blank functions in conjunction with other spells. For example, lets say a wizard casts Mind Blank and Improved Invisibility on himself. Does the invisibility now count as part of the caster, or is it considered a separate entity in regards to spells like See Invisibility?

Mind blank is not effective against see invisibility (non detection is). Mind blank protects against devices and spells that detect, influence, or read emotions or thoughts. And against scrying, which is magical information gathering conducted remotely. See invisibility is not scrying.

In other words, is the Mind Blanked/Invisible wizard protected from See Invisibility? Detect Magic? True Seeing?

No in all three cases.

 

[Happy Funball]

Thanks for the info. I was definitely leaning towards that conclusion as well, but was just wondering if there was something "official".

kreynolds:
do you know which Dragon the sage advice was in?

 

[kreynolds]

kreynolds:
do you know which Dragon the sage advice was in?

No, no, no. It's a Sage reply. There's a big difference.

 

[IceBear]

Hehehe - the whole reason that Truestrike vs Mindblank argument went so long was because Monte Cook ruled that it would work. He stated that he was going to say No, but then he read the spell descriptions and based on that he changed his mind and said it should work

IceBear

 

[kreynolds]

Hehehe - the whole reason that Truestrike vs Mindblank argument went so long was because Monte Cook ruled that it would work.

Yup!

He stated that he was going to say No, but then he read the spell descriptions and based on that he changed his mind and said it should work

And it only got wackier and wackier!