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This spell can wreak havoc on thy allies and enemies alike. Cast it wisely! - Elminster Aumar [21]

Dispel magic was a abjuration spell that could negate magic on a creature or object (including potions), or interfere with casting spells and the use of spell-like abilities.[5][22][23][24][25] It was one of the spells available from the Balance of Belaros, a holy relic of Tyr.[26]

Effects[]

When a magic effect is dispelled it ceases to function as if the spell duration had expired.[5][22][23][24][25] Some spells were crafted specifically not to be susceptible to dispelling, but these were the exception rather than the rule.[5] Casters could always dispel their own spells.[5][22][23][24] Magical items that had magic built into them as part of their construction could not be permanently dispelled by this spell, but they could be made temporarily nonmagical for a short time.[5][22][23][24] The chance to dispel an effect was based on the difference in level between the caster of dispel and the caster/creator/inherent power of the target.[5][22][23][24] This spell could be cast in one of three ways, as chosen by the caster:

Targeted Dispel
The target could be one creature, object, or an active spell. If an object or creature had more than one spell effect active simultaneously, the dispel had a chance to dismiss each of them. Items worn or carried by the targeted creature were not affected. If the creature was summoned, then dispel had a chance to end the summoning spell. If the object was a magic item, then dispel had a chance to suppress the function of item for a short time.[5][note 2]
Area Dispel
For the newer version of this spell, the area was a circle of 20 ft (6.1 m) radius.[27] For the older versions, the area was a 30 ft (9.1 m) cube.[22][23][24] Each creature and object in the area of effect was subject to the dispelling of one spell placed on that creature or object, if applicable. Dispel magic attempted to counteract the highest level spell first, followed by any successively lower level spells in turn until dispel succeeded in countering one effect or failed to counter anything. The only exception to this was for summoned creatures: dispel magic also had a chance to counter the summoning spell as well as any other spells that targeted the summoned creature (checking highest level spells first and so on, as above).[5]
If the point of origin of an area-effect spell was within the area covered by dispel magic, then the area-effect spell had a chance to be negated. If the area covered by dispel magic overlapped a portion of an area-effect spell, then dispel had a chance to counteract the area-effect spell in the overlapping area only.[5]
Magic items are not affected by an area dispel.[5]
Counterspell
Targeting a spellcaster, dispel magic attempted to spoil the spell being cast by the target.[5]

The older versions of this spell did a combination of all three of the above uses: acting like targeted dispel over the entire area of effect on each creature or object (including those worn or carried) and possibly counterspelling any casting being done in the area of effect at that instant.[22][23][24]

The post Second Sundering version of the spell was very simple and functioned mostly like the targeted dispel. Targeting a creature, object or magical effect within 120 feet of the same level as the spell was cast with (its power grew if it was cast with a higher spell level) would dispel it out right. If the dispel magic was of lower level then the spell it target the spell could try and resist the dispelling attempt.[25]

Components[]

Only verbal and somatic components were required to cast this spell.[5][22][23][24][25]

History[]

This spell was inscribed within the Kelemvorite relic the Testament of Vraer.[28]

Appendix[]

Notes[]

  1. This spell was originally in the Protection sphere until the Player's Option: Spells & Magic moved it to the All sphere.
  2. The older versions of this spell treated potions differently than all other magic items. Dispel magic had a chance to destroy potions, treating them as 12th level for comparison purposes.

See Also[]

Gallery[]

Appearances[]

External links[]

References[]

  1. Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 207–211, 234. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
  2. Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 63, 86. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
  3. Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 125. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
  4. Jeremy Crawford, James Wyatt, Keith Baker (November 2019). Eberron: Rising from the Last War. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 56. ISBN 978-0-7869-6692-9.
  5. 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams (July 2003). Player's Handbook v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 223. ISBN 0-7869-2886-7.
  6. James Wyatt, Darrin Drader, Christopher Perkins (October 2003). Book of Exalted Deeds. (TSR, Inc), p. 57. ISBN 0-7869-3136-1.
  7. Hal Maclean (May 2007). “Seven Saintly Domains”. In Erik Mona ed. Dragon #355 (Paizo Publishing, LLC), pp. 29–30.
  8. James Wyatt (October 2001). Oriental Adventures (3rd edition). (Wizards of the Coast), p. 93. ISBN 0-7869-2015-7.
  9. David "Zeb" Cook (August 1989). Player's Handbook (2nd edition). (TSR, Inc.), pp. 28, 148, 210. ISBN 0-88038-716-5.
  10. David "Zeb" Cook (April 1995). Player's Handbook 2nd edition (revised). (TSR, Inc.), pp. 39, 191, 267. ISBN 0-7869-0329-5.
  11. Richard Baker (1996). Player's Option: Spells & Magic. (TSR, Inc), pp. 180, 186. ISBN 0-7869-0394-5.
  12. Dale Donovan (January 1998). Cult of the Dragon. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 125. ISBN 0-7869-0709-6.
  13. Jeff Grubb and Andria Hayday (April 1992). Arabian Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 152. ISBN 978-1560763581.
  14. slade, Jim Butler (October 1996). “The Winds of Netheril”. In Jim Butler ed. Netheril: Empire of Magic (TSR, Inc.), pp. 121–123. ISBN 0-7869-0437-2.
  15. Gary Gygax (1978). Players Handbook 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 24, 47, 73. ISBN 0-9356-9601-6.
  16. Gary Gygax, David Cook, and François Marcela-Froideval (1985). Oriental Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 62. ISBN 0-8803-8099-3.
  17. Gary Gygax, David Cook, and François Marcela-Froideval (1985). Oriental Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 82. ISBN 0-8803-8099-3.
  18. Andy Collins, Jesse Decker, David Noonan, Rich Redman (February 2004). Unearthed Arcana. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 69. ISBN 0-7680-3131-0.
  19. Len Lakofka (May 1981). “Leomund's Tiny Hut: A recipe for the Alchemist”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #49 (TSR, Inc.), p. 59.
  20. Joseph Clay (January 1989). “Hey, Wanna Be a Kobold?”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Dragon #141 (TSR, Inc.), p. 43.
  21. BioWare (December 1998). Designed by James Ohlen. Baldur's Gate. Black Isle Studios. ~ Manual page 109
  22. 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 22.6 22.7 David "Zeb" Cook (August 1989). Player's Handbook (2nd edition). (TSR, Inc.), pp. 148, 210. ISBN 0-88038-716-5.
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 23.5 23.6 23.7 David "Zeb" Cook (April 1995). Player's Handbook 2nd edition (revised). (TSR, Inc.), pp. 191, 267. ISBN 0-7869-0329-5.
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 24.5 24.6 24.7 Gary Gygax (1978). Players Handbook 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 47, 73. ISBN 0-9356-9601-6.
  25. 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 234. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
  26. Ed Greenwood and Doug Stewart (1997). Prayers from the Faithful. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 9–10. ISBN 0-7869-0682-0.
  27. Player's Handbook v.3.5 Errata (Zipped PDF). Official D&D Errata. Wizards of the Coast. p. 2. (2006-02-17). Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved on 2013-10-04.
  28. Ed Greenwood and Doug Stewart (1997). Prayers from the Faithful. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 90. ISBN 0-7869-0682-0.
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