Cant find answer, Outsiders [Archive] - Wizards Community

Cant find answer, Outsiders [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
darkapok
01-15-06, 08:17 PM Hello, I recently recieved the 3 core books, and the Races of series, and stumbled upon a question I can find no answer for. One of my players wants to play an Aasimar, Outsider (native). He says that this makes him resistant to certian types of spells, but nowhere in any book can I find anything to do with outsiders being resistant to spells (other than resurect which dosent apply to an outsider(native)). Any assistance pointing me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.
Dhavaer
01-15-06, 08:21 PM An outsider wouldn't be affected by spells like 'chamr person' or 'hold person' which only affect humanoids. Apart from that, the only resistance are the energy resistances.
Galstaf, Sorcerer of Lite
01-15-06, 11:22 PM Okay, here's the thing (or rather, the two things):

First, as an outsider, the character is immune to any spell that specifically targets humanoids (such as charm person), because, well, he's not a humanoid, he's an outsider. This is essentially the same as the reason a spell like animal growth won't work on a human -- the spell specifically lists its target as an animal, and in D&D terms, a human isn't an animal, he's a humanoid.
Note that this refers to the specific listing in the Target: line of the spell description. An outsider is still a "living creature," by the way.
Normally, this also means that certain spells that return the dead to life don't work (because the soul and body of an outsider are the same thing, so if one is destroyed, so is the other. No soul means no raise dead, etc.). However, see below.

Second, as an outsider with the (native) subtype, the character is considered "native" to the plane the campaign primarily takes place one (typically the Prime Material). This means that the character cannot be banished (or what have you) back to its home plane like most outsiders can, because it's on its home plane already. However, if the native outsider travels to another plane, it can be sent back to the prime (though technically, so can any character on a plane other than his home plane).
It also means that the character can be raised, resurrected, etc.

Specifically, this information is found on pages 312 and 313 of the Monster Manual.
darkapok
01-16-06, 09:49 AM I see it now, lets see if I have it right. If the spell says it targets humanoid creatures, anything not humanoid isnt affected. So while the spell dosent always specifically say it does not effect certian types, it can be inferred from the body of the description.

Thanks alot! :)
Galstaf, Sorcerer of Lite
01-17-06, 01:12 AM Looks like you've got it, but for clarity's sake, let me just mention that you usually don't have to infer anything; typically a spell will explicitly state what it targets. It will say something like "Target: One humanoid creature" or "Target: Any four creatures, no two of which are more than 20 ft. apart".

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
darkapok 01-15-06, 08:17 PM	Hello, I recently recieved the 3 core books, and the Races of series, and stumbled upon a question I can find no answer for. One of my players wants to play an Aasimar, Outsider (native). He says that this makes him resistant to certian types of spells, but nowhere in any book can I find anything to do with outsiders being resistant to spells (other than resurect which dosent apply to an outsider(native)). Any assistance pointing me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.
Dhavaer 01-15-06, 08:21 PM	An outsider wouldn't be affected by spells like 'chamr person' or 'hold person' which only affect humanoids. Apart from that, the only resistance are the energy resistances.
Galstaf, Sorcerer of Lite 01-15-06, 11:22 PM	Okay, here's the thing (or rather, the two things): First, as an outsider, the character is immune to any spell that specifically targets humanoids (such as charm person), because, well, he's not a humanoid, he's an outsider. This is essentially the same as the reason a spell like animal growth won't work on a human -- the spell specifically lists its target as an animal, and in D&D terms, a human isn't an animal, he's a humanoid. Note that this refers to the specific listing in the Target: line of the spell description. An outsider is still a "living creature," by the way. Normally, this also means that certain spells that return the dead to life don't work (because the soul and body of an outsider are the same thing, so if one is destroyed, so is the other. No soul means no raise dead, etc.). However, see below. Second, as an outsider with the (native) subtype, the character is considered "native" to the plane the campaign primarily takes place one (typically the Prime Material). This means that the character cannot be banished (or what have you) back to its home plane like most outsiders can, because it's on its home plane already. However, if the native outsider travels to another plane, it can be sent back to the prime (though technically, so can any character on a plane other than his home plane). It also means that the character can be raised, resurrected, etc. Specifically, this information is found on pages 312 and 313 of the Monster Manual.
darkapok 01-16-06, 09:49 AM	I see it now, lets see if I have it right. If the spell says it targets humanoid creatures, anything not humanoid isnt affected. So while the spell dosent always specifically say it does not effect certian types, it can be inferred from the body of the description. Thanks alot! :)
Galstaf, Sorcerer of Lite 01-17-06, 01:12 AM	Looks like you've got it, but for clarity's sake, let me just mention that you usually don't have to infer anything; typically a spell will explicitly state what it targets. It will say something like "Target: One humanoid creature" or "Target: Any four creatures, no two of which are more than 20 ft. apart".