| Jeff Carlsen |
Do magic items always make a saving throw to resist beneficial spells such as magic weapon or mending?
As far as I can tell from the rules, they do, but I've never seen a group actually require this.
Some relevant points:
1. A person can choose to fail a save in the case of a beneficial spell. But this is a person, not an object.
2. A magic item's saves are based on the caster level of the object unless it's sentient, implying that these saves represent a general resistance to spell effects. I don't see how this resistance would know the difference between a beneficial and a harmful spell.
3. An attended object uses the object's save or that of the person holding it, whichever is greater. Again, more evidence that it's a general protection.
4. It is stated that a magic item should always get a saving throw against a harmful effect. This implies that someone who is both holding a magical item and trying to cast a harmful spell on it can't choose to fail the save against a harmful effect. But, it does allude to the idea that saving throws for magic items exist more as a game concern than a simulation concern.
Obviously, I can run it how I want, but I find the topic fascinating. Any thoughts on the matter?