Hello folks.
In need of some cralification.
In a certain AP, we are fighting something with SR.
I, as a magus, had cast Brow gasher on my axe, and hit the monster with it.
Since brow gasher says the target is the object, and no mention of creatures with SR in the spell description, i am under the impression i would not need a CL check vs SR of the monster.
The GM on the other hand, believes that since the weapon hits a monster with SR, it does require a roll.
What is the correct course of action?
The spell description states 'You imbue a slashing melee weapon with ...'. This no more permits spell resistance than a weapon with the enchantment Wounding.
If you were using spellstrike, for instance, to deliver a Shocking Grasp to the monster, then yes, it would get spell resistance, because the spell is affecting it directly. In your case, the spell is affecting your axe, not the creature directly.
Except that the spell states spell resistance yes. And you are, on a hit, discharging the spell as a free action. I see it as similar to shocking grasp from a magus. The creature gains the benefit of it's SR vs the shocking grasp, and I think would equally benefit from it's SR vs this effect. The weapon is just a conduit for the magic effect.
@ Agodeshalf
Contrary to shocking grasp, this is not an attack spell, which type usually gets to arm wrestle SR.
The spell does not say it targets the creature. It enhances the weapon.
1 in favor of both sides, we'll need a few more opinions.
Thanks for the quick responses already.
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From the PRD Saving Throw section: "(object): The spell can be cast on objects, which receive saving throws only if they are magical or if they are attended (held, worn, grasped, or the like) by a creature resisting the spell, in which case the object uses the creature's saving throw bonus unless its own bonus is greater. This notation does not mean that a spell can be cast only on objects. Some spells of this sort can be cast on creatures or objects. A magic item's saving throw bonuses are each equal to 2 + 1/2 the item's caster level."
And a little further down that page under Spell Resistance: "The terms 'object' and 'harmless' mean the same thing for spell resistance as they do for saving throws."
The saving throw and SR in this case mean exactly what Lady-J said above. If the object's holder has SR they have to voluntarily lower it for the spell to affect the object. If, for some reason, they don't want someone casting brow gasher on their weapon (e.g., if they are superstitious barbarians), they can roll a Will save to negate that spell's effect on their weapon.
The GM is wrong.
It's that the -enemy- has SR, and brow gasher is put onto my axe to inflict the condition.
It's that the -enemy- has SR, and brow gasher is put onto my axe to inflict the condition.
Right. That's my point. The GM is wrong that you have to make the caster level check to overcome the enemy's SR. The only time SR would come into play for this spell is if the weapon's wielder had it. Which could happen. Another gotcha of SR.
EDIT - I guess the dispute is whether the target of the spell is the weapon or the enemy hit by it. Since there is only an area and a range for this spell, I can see where that confusion can arise.
However, note the (harmless) descriptor under Saving Throw. Again, from the PRD: "(harmless): The spell is usually beneficial, not harmful, but a targeted creature can attempt a saving throw if it desires."
Clearly the saving throw doesn't apply to the creature hit by the weapon, because that is not harmless. Ditto the SR.
Thanks guys for this, this should clear things up. :)
Thanks for the clarification! I couldn't find anything on the (harmless, object) bit in regards to Spell Resistance, but it turns out I was looking in the wrong place.
Guess your spell does have an effect, Chyrone! :)
Thanks for the clarification! I couldn't find anything on the (harmless, object) bit in regards to Spell Resistance, but it turns out I was looking in the wrong place.
Guess your spell does have an effect, Chyrone! :)
Thanks to Chyrone for asking the question--that thing about SR was new to me too. It is not in an obvious place. :)
Agreed. This is no different than casting greater magic weapon and hitting someone with SR.
While I agree that it doesn't require an SR check, I still content that it is just badly worded. It is discharging a magical effect on hit, the weapon is passive. It isn't really enhancing the weapon per se. Making it more akin to shocking grasp than magic weapon in my opinon, but that is neither here nor there. As written, it doesn't require the check.