Chaining Dispel [Archive] - Wizards Community

Chaining Dispel [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Johngalt137
10-19-07, 12:56 AM A Complete Arcane question:

A player of mine wants to know if he can use his chain spell feat on greater dispel magic to target say, the hat an NPC is wearing CHAIN to the amulet CHAIN to the right hand ring CHAIN to the left hand ring CHAIN to that magic sword CHAIN to the magic armor CHAIN to another random magic item...etc.

Does the rules text, regarding not targeting the same target more than once conflict with this?

It seems to be in the land of good-balance to me because this would make it a ninth level spell, and Mage's Disjunction (clearly better, even with the remote risk) is also ninth level. However, if there is a ninth level spell whose power level is way out of whack it's probably Mage's Disjunction...

Another problem with this, is that if I allow it to be used with greater dispel magic, I would be inclined to allow it with Dispel Magic (3rd level spell). Chaining that would only be effectively sixth level. Is getting to make a dispel check against all of your opponent's magic items unbalanced for a sixth level spell? (Given its only for 1d4 rounds) What do you guys think, what is the correct ruling, and is it imba?
Marcus Majarra
10-19-07, 03:30 AM Since dispel magic can target objects, each individual item constitutes a valid target for a chain dispel magic. The caster has to have both line of sight and line of effect to the items he wishes to affect and he must specify which items are affected by the spell.
Kratch
10-24-07, 03:48 PM just remember, anything the players wish to use are fair play to use against them as well. thus, if they want to use chain spell, feel free to use it back, and not just on dispel.

I don't think it's overly broken, though I do think it's rather limited in use, since most monsters don't use magic items (and those that do, tend to only have +1 to +3 items weapons, with only a few exceptions.), unless you use a lot of classed NPC's (in which case i think it's kinda munchkinny of the player, but still not overly broken).

as a comparison, Chain dispel (PHBII) is 8th level, has a greater chance of dispelling, but only targets creatures (not items).

just keep in mind the limitations marcus above pointed out (rings can't be targeted if gloves are also worn)
Tsuul
10-25-07, 02:37 PM The only broken thing about this is it leads to an abuse of chaining spells through objects to the object holder. See the description of tower shield for an example of what I mean.
"...can cast a spell on you by targeting the shield you are holding." Which is completely legit.

To end this I would [houserule and] just consider targeting an object in possession of someone as also targeting that person for the limitations of chaining.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Johngalt137 10-19-07, 12:56 AM	A Complete Arcane question: A player of mine wants to know if he can use his chain spell feat on greater dispel magic to target say, the hat an NPC is wearing CHAIN to the amulet CHAIN to the right hand ring CHAIN to the left hand ring CHAIN to that magic sword CHAIN to the magic armor CHAIN to another random magic item...etc. Does the rules text, regarding not targeting the same target more than once conflict with this? It seems to be in the land of good-balance to me because this would make it a ninth level spell, and Mage's Disjunction (clearly better, even with the remote risk) is also ninth level. However, if there is a ninth level spell whose power level is way out of whack it's probably Mage's Disjunction... Another problem with this, is that if I allow it to be used with greater dispel magic, I would be inclined to allow it with Dispel Magic (3rd level spell). Chaining that would only be effectively sixth level. Is getting to make a dispel check against all of your opponent's magic items unbalanced for a sixth level spell? (Given its only for 1d4 rounds) What do you guys think, what is the correct ruling, and is it imba?
Marcus Majarra 10-19-07, 03:30 AM	Since dispel magic can target objects, each individual item constitutes a valid target for a chain dispel magic. The caster has to have both line of sight and line of effect to the items he wishes to affect and he must specify which items are affected by the spell.
Kratch 10-24-07, 03:48 PM	just remember, anything the players wish to use are fair play to use against them as well. thus, if they want to use chain spell, feel free to use it back, and not just on dispel. I don't think it's overly broken, though I do think it's rather limited in use, since most monsters don't use magic items (and those that do, tend to only have +1 to +3 items weapons, with only a few exceptions.), unless you use a lot of classed NPC's (in which case i think it's kinda munchkinny of the player, but still not overly broken). as a comparison, Chain dispel (PHBII) is 8th level, has a greater chance of dispelling, but only targets creatures (not items). just keep in mind the limitations marcus above pointed out (rings can't be targeted if gloves are also worn)
Tsuul 10-25-07, 02:37 PM	The only broken thing about this is it leads to an abuse of chaining spells through objects to the object holder. See the description of tower shield for an example of what I mean. "...can cast a spell on you by targeting the shield you are holding." Which is completely legit. To end this I would [houserule and] just consider targeting an object in possession of someone as also targeting that person for the limitations of chaining.