Dispel Magic question


Rules Questions


I just want to make sure I'm figuring this correctly. It seems the DC needed to dispel a spell is based on the highest to lowest caster level as it was cast. But for most characters, any spell cast, whether a first or 9th level spell, will have the same caster level. So if your DC20 roll + caster level doesn't beat one spell, it won't beat any. Now, if it were based on the MINIMUM caster level needed to cast the spell, then there would be a graduated scale of difficulty based on the level of the spell. But this doesn't seem to be the case. Maybe someone can clarify for me. I'd appreciate it.


Assuming that every spell was cast on someone by the same person then yes: its just one roll. If your fighter was buffed by your party Cleric and the first spell is missed all spells will be missed. If your fighter was buffed by the party cleric and has an Enlarge person from the fighter 3/wizard 2 then the fighter/wizards spell might get dispelled.


Thanks for the quick response. That what I figured.


Um, these days, Dispel Magic only targets a single spell/effect per casting, so the relative DCs don't matter until you're using Greater Dispel Magic...


I have a complementary question to this. If your dispel check exceeds several spells of the same caster level (say a magic vestment, greater magic weapon, divine power, righteous might, all cast by the same cleric on himself), which one is dispelled ?


Alitan wrote:
Um, these days, Dispel Magic only targets a single spell/effect per casting, so the relative DCs don't matter until you're using Greater Dispel Magic...

Dispel Magic - "Targeted Dispel: One object, creature, or spell is the target of the dispel magic spell. You make one dispel check (1d20 + your caster level) and compare that to the spell with highest caster level (DC = 11 + the spell's caster level). If successful, that spell ends. If not, compare the same result to the spell with the next highest caster level. Repeat this process until you have dispelled one spell affecting the target, or you have failed to dispel every spell."

selios wrote:
If your dispel check exceeds several spells of the same caster level (say a magic vestment, greater magic weapon, divine power, righteous might, all cast by the same cleric on himself), which one is dispelled ?

The rules don't say. I've seen it run most often as randomly picking based off the highest spell level, or randomly picking from all magical effects, or the GM just chooses one. I think the first one is probably the most fair.

So for your example, assuming they all have the same CL, and the dispel check beat the DC, I would remove Righteous Might (5th-level spell). If that's gone and it happens again, roll randomly between Greater Magic Weapon and Divine Power (4th level spells).

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