Can "Dispel Magic" dispel "Control Weather"?

[NobodysHome]

So we know that Dispel Magic targets, "one spellcaster, creature, or object", and Greater Dispel Magic can be used for a 20-ft.-radius burst.

So what about situations where the PCs know that a caster is responsible for something huge (for example, Control Weather) across a miles-radius spread, but have no idea where the caster is? Since they're in the middle of the storm, can they try to dispel it, calling the storm itself the "object"? Or because they have to have a specific target (more specific than a miles-across storm), is dispel doomed to fail?

My initial take is, "Sorry, you can't dispel that until you find the person who cast it," but I'd love to see what other GMs have to say.

[Tharken]

It does say "Target or Area" in Dispel Magic's description. Then proceeds to say "You can also use a targeted dispel to specifically end [...] one spell affecting an area (such as a wall of fire)."

I see no reason why it couldn't end a Control Weather spell.

[Lyee]

Yes. Basically any spell with a non-instantaneous duration can be Dispelled unless it says so in the description.

[NobodysHome]

Note to self: Always read the PRD on ALL the spells before posting!

I read the whole of Dispel Magic, Greater, and only the first section of Dispel Magic. In the PRD, it doesn't use the term "area" in the "Target or Area" section, but it does later on in the spell description.

However, your quote is entirely correct; they are specifically allowed to dispel spells affecting areas.

Ah, well, I'll have to figure out some other way to harass them.

Thanks!

[sirmattdusty]

yeah, just as long as the caster knows that the weather is being controlled by control weather and not just a natural phenomenon and they are able to determine the area that the spell is affecting, then yeah, they can attempt it. whether or not they beat the DC is a different matter. I wouldn't allow a caster to try it if they were, say, 100 miles away and just happened to hear about it though.

[Bizbag]

NobodysHome wrote:

So what about situations where the PCs know that a caster is responsible for something huge (for example, Control Weather) across a miles-radius spread, but have no idea where the caster is? Since they're in the middle of the storm, can they try to dispel it, calling the storm itself the "object"? Or because they have to have a specific target (more specific than a miles-across storm), is dispel doomed to fail?

My initial take is, "Sorry, you can't dispel that until you find the person who cast it," but I'd love to see what other GMs have to say.

That's a fun interpretation, and I like it. I don't think it's strictly rules-legal though. The Control Weather spell is not an emanation, so it is not actually an effect that remains "on" the caster to be dispelled. It simply affects an area, with its center point wherever the caster was when he finished casting the spell.

By that rule, as long as the PC could target any square in which the Control Weather spell was in effect, they could dispel it.

If your players are sticklers for this (and you planned the whole adventure to make use of the weather), make the special version of the spell one that the villain planned for - that yes, ordinarily you CAN dispel the storm, but they researched a special version centered on them. The balancing factor is that the storm moves as they do, making pinpointing them easier, and they are the keystone - if the caster dies, the spell will end, unlike the normal version. It's a very fantasy-movie ending - kill the bad guy and the evil dark clouds and lightning go away.

[NobodysHome]

I *love* the idea, Bizbag, but this is just part of the RotRL AP. If the BBEG loses his Control Weather, the bow-wielding Smiting Evil paladin is going to pwn his sorry tail, so I'm just working on ways to keep him alive long enough to be challenging.

Since it takes 10 minutes for the storm to form, I'll have it take 10 minutes to disperse. 10 minutes is PLENTY of time for a limited-visibility, no-ranged-combat-you-darned-BBEG-slaying-paladin fight.

[Pizza Lord]

Maybe a extended Wind Wall that snakes back and forth in front of the BBEG? That automatically stops arrows and bolts and 30% on other ranged weapons. If you can make sure the PCs end up wearing robes or kilts when they reach him, having them fly up around their faces passing through the wall is an added bonus.

[NobodysHome]

"I'm sorry. From now on this is a kilt-only adventure. In honor of... er... give me a moment!"

[James B. Cline]

If your fine with modifying things I found the Corruption Resistance Spell very helpful in mitigating Smite Evil, now in potion form! Just depends how much prep time he has.

Enjoy!