Welcome to high-level magic. Don't dread it, go with it.
There aren't many counters to anti-magic field. It is, itself, a hard counter to the most powerful force in the world: magic. The general solutions include a) Aroden's Spellbane, b) Mage's disjunction, c) an overlapping antimagic field (not very helpful), d) counterspelling it (not very helpful), and e) walking out of it, then using conjurations to obliterate whoever is in it that you don't like. It's not that big a deal though, as most people manage the walking out of it just fine.
Summons won't work. When I said conjuration, I meant conjuration (creation) effects that are instantaneous in nature. Those won't disappear inside the field. As for those spells, you'd have to look at certain mysteries, be a samsaran with mystic past life and pick real carefully, elven ancient lorekeeper archetype, or have high UMD and a scroll or two. Honestly though, you're worrying too much about this. You might not see the spell, ever, because the campaign ends too soon, or your character dies, or just because anyone casting the spell is a high-level spellcaster who JUST TURNED OFF THEIR OWN SPELLCASTING!
Sorry for the caps, just wanted to make that point really clear.
Lathiira is correct: AMF isn't a spell to fear most of the time.
The only time it's likely to be effective is when a large (since there is now a FAQ clarification that the size of AMF increases when cast by a large/huge/etc creature), combat capable monster uses it with high DR (eg a dragon). And even then, it's not the end of the world for the martial members of a group to kill it without any magic.
Summons won't work.
...
As an aside, Summons work so long as you are conjuring hoards hordes of Lantern Archons. Their pew pew rays are (Ex) so they can shoot into the AMF, and they target touch AC as well as bypassing all DR. It's not the most effective option, but it's an option.
I preferred tactic is to use Eldritch Conduit on an enemy, then cast Anti-Magic Field centered on the target.
The only time it's likely to be effective is when a large (since there is now a FAQ clarification that the size of AMF increases when cast by a large/huge/etc creature), combat capable monster uses it with high DR (eg a dragon). And even then, it's not the end of the world for the martial members of a group to kill it without any magic.
The most effective use of antimagic field is an arcane archer using Imbue Arrow (along with a Quickened true strike) to shut down an enemy spellcaster... especially if that enemy is using magic to fly ("Aaiiieee!" *splat*).
As far as staying out of the field while attacking someone inside it goes, enlarge person/righteous might and a reach weapon will do the trick.
Slight nitpick:
Hoard = a collection of treasure
Horde = a group of creatures
The only time it's likely to be effective is when a large (since there is now a FAQ clarification that the size of AMF increases when cast by a large/huge/etc creature), combat capable monster uses it with high DR (eg a dragon). And even then, it's not the end of the world for the martial members of a group to kill it without any magic.The most effective use of antimagic field is an arcane archer using Imbue Arrow (along with a Quickened true strike) to shut down an enemy spellcaster... especially if that enemy is using magic to fly ("Aaiiieee!" *splat*).
As far as staying out of the field while attacking someone inside it goes, enlarge person/righteous might and a reach weapon will do the trick.
Agreed, with both points. However, there are very few arcane archers around, generally, and most of those are PCs.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Hmm, a familiar could get Antimagic Field via share spells, a level 11 wizard could pull that. Imagine an anti-magic cat jumping onto an enemy caster...
Share Spells: The wizard may cast a spell with a target of “You” on his familiar (as a touch spell) instead of on himself. A wizard may cast spells on his familiar even if the spells do not normally affect creatures of the familiar's type (magical beast).
Antimagic Field
School abjuration; Level cleric/oracle 8, sorcerer/wizard 6; Domain magic 6, protection 6
CASTING
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, M/DF (pinch of powdered iron or iron filings)
EFFECT
Range 10 ft.
Area 10-ft.-radius emanation, centered on you
Duration 10 min./level (D)
Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance see text
By a strict reading of the spell & ability, AMF cannot be used with familiar's share spells.
|
You cannot use eldritch conduit to cast AMF on someone else because AMF is an emanation but eldritch conduit only works on cones, lines, spheres, and cylinders.
An anti-magic field isn't typically something to fear. It's centered on the caster and prevents them from casting. VERY few things can cast one and still be much of a danger, typically outsiders and dragons, and even they would think twice.
An Oracle's best bet, in the rare case an AMF comes out on a creature that isn't puny with one going, is to run and hide. If you're lucky the party wizard will have a wall of force or prismatic wall to trap the foe with, or the party beatsticks will be able to take the creature down sans-magic.
NOTE: DR/magic, DR/material, and DR/alignment are all supernatural abilities, AFAIK, and would be suppressed in an anti-magic field. Dragons and Outsiders won't give up their DR lightly.
By a strict reading of the spell & ability, AMF cannot be used with familiar's share spells.
I was sceptical myself, but familiar seems to be extraordinary (arcane bond is ex / su, with bond item likely su) and share spells is not typed at all.
Do you mean the missing line 'Target: you'?
Hmm, I see.
You might have saved my players - I actually planned to throw a detonating familiar at them...
Lathiira is correct: AMF isn't a spell to fear most of the time.
The only time it's likely to be effective is when a large (since there is now a FAQ clarification that the size of AMF increases when cast by a large/huge/etc creature), combat capable monster uses it with high DR (eg a dragon). And even then, it's not the end of the world for the martial members of a group to kill it without any magic.
Your example only fully works if the DR is Ex rather than Su. Dragons lose their DR in an AM field.