Dispel Magic, Greater and Wild Shape

[Krith]

If a Wild Shaped Druid is the target of a Greater Dispel Magic spell, what is and is not effected by the spell?

I know the Wild Shape itself is safe as a Supernatural ability, however, would Wild armor be effected? Technically the armor is melded into the Druid with all his other gear and kind of no longer exists.

With the way GDM works, you wouldn't be able to target just the effect of a magic item (which carries over in Wild Shape), you'd have to do GDM versus the magic item as GDM targets spells or magic items, not the effects of those spells or magic items.

Also, if they are targeted, does that mean any items that aren't active also are subject to GDM and therefore can potentially "soak up" the effects of a GDM?

Leaning towards all items would be subject to GDM, but the fact that items with activation requirements are off limits while Wild Shaped gives me pause that they could be effected (and if they can't be effected, why would other items be effected)?

[Weirdo]

First off, the only way to affect magic items is with a targeted dispel on that specific item. Area dispel does not affect items, and neither does a targeted dispel on the creature using them.

If your druid is targeted by Greater Dispel Magic, they might lose Barkskin, Magic Fang, and Strong Jaw, but their Wild Armour isn't affected whether or not they are in wild shape.

This means that items do not ever "soak up" the effects of GDM - they're either targeted or they're not. (Though a caster might be misled into wasting a targeted GDM on a mundane item with an intimidating Magic Aura)

So magic items must be targeted to be dispelled. What does that mean?

Magic Section wrote:

Target or Targets: Some spells have a target or targets. You cast these spells on creatures or objects, as defined by the spell itself. You must be able to see or touch the target, and you must specifically choose that target.

A melded item cannot be seen or touched, therefore it cannot be targeted, therefore it cannot be dispelled.

[Krith]

Interesting. So with GDM you can't target multiple objects?

[Korythalia]

I think you should be more afraid of an antimagic field. That will get everything, including the wild shape.

[Weirdo]

Krith wrote:

Interesting. So with GDM you can't target multiple objects?

You can't suppress the effects of multiple magic items. A targeted dispel affects one object or creature, and an area dispel doesn't suppress magic items.

However, you can dispel spells on multiple objects. For example, if a +1 Vorpal sword with Bless Weapon cast on it and a +1 Heavy Fortification breastplate with Magic Vestment are within an area dispel, Bless Weapon and Magic Vestment are liable to be dispelled. (Note that melding doesn't protect from an area dispel, so if your Wild Armour has Magic Vestment cast on it, Magic Vestment could be dispelled.)

I think a targeted dispel on the sword would both dispel Bless Weapon and suppress the sword itself, but I'm not certain, because GDM says "you can dispel one spell for every four caster levels you possess" without reference to suppressing magic items. I'd allow it at my table but would expect table variation.

Korythalia wrote:

I think you should be more afraid of an antimagic field. That will get everything, including the wild shape.

Well, yes, but the fact that antimagic field is scarier doesn't mean it's not important to understand how GDM works.

[Krith]

Thanks Weirdo!