Chains of Light Versus Incorporeal Undead

[Emmit Svenson]

Chains of Light doesn’t have the Force descriptor, so the spell has a 50% chance of not affecting an incorporeal creature. But even if the roll indicates the spell connects, will it have any practical effect on an incorporeal undead? According to the spell description, “The creature is paralyzed and held in place,” but undead are immune to paralysis, and I believe incorporeal creatures can pass through physical barriers, even those created by magic, with some exceptions that don’t seem to apply here (i.e. force effects, really thick things).

The spell description specifies that “The spell does not affect creatures that are already in ethereal or astral form when the spell is cast.” That doesn’t list incorporeal critters specifically, but I feel it supports the idea that incorporeals can pass through the chains if they are not paralyzed.

Chains of Light Spell Description:

School conjuration (creation) [good]; Level cleric 6, inquisitor 5, paladin 4, sorcerer/wizard 6
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, F (a length of fine golden chain)
Range short (25 ft. + 5 ft./level)
Target one creature
Duration 1 round/level (D)
Saving Throw Reflex negates; Spell Resistance no
DESCRIPTION -- A creature targeted by this spell is held immobile by glowing golden chains composed of pure light. The creature is paralyzed and held in place, but may attempt a new saving throw each round to end the effect. While held by the golden chains, a creature cannot use any sort of extradimensional travel, such as astral projection, blink, dimension door, ethereal jaunt, etherealness, gate, maze, plane shift, shadow walk, teleport, and similar spells and spell-like abilities. The spell does not affect creatures that are already in ethereal or astral form when the spell is cast.

[That Crazy Alchemist]

Yes, by RAW this spell would do diddly to an incorporeal creature. Though if we are talking a home game, I'd allow it due to its good descriptor and apparent effect on dimensional creatures and travel.

[DualJay]

I think it would, to a degree.

Say you paralyzed a dire bat (not with this, with like Hold Monster or something). It now falls.

However, chains of light holds it in place. "The creature is paralyzed AND held in place", so while it would not be paralyzed, it could not move from its square. So the bat would not fall, and the ghost is stuck.

Assuming the 50/50 goes in your favor.

[Seraphimpunk]

had something happen in a game recently where it was cast on a construct. So also ruled that the spell held it immobile, but did not paralyze it, since constructs are immune to paralysis.

the spell really sounds like it should Pin creatures, a'la grapple & pin. which would make a lot more sense, since that's what its doing, holding them down with chains of physical light ( thus not effecting ethereal / astral creatures : which i'd agree a ghost is already on the ethereal plane just interacting with our plane partially ). the chains don't touch the creature and cause them to become paralyzed. which is what immunity to paralysis is. and what makes this spell useless against undead, dragons, and constructs or anything with immunity to paralysis. and makes players cringe because its counterintuitive: its being held down by chains of light which give the condition: paralyzed.

can we get them to rewrite it as a CL + stat CMB check against CMD to immediately pin a creature? instead of a reflex saving throw to avoid contact with the chains?