Dispel Magic

[Omote]

I believe this spell got even more confusing in the 6th printing. Does anybody have a possible rewritten version they use for their games? Perhaps this spell can be updated and rewritten for clarity sake in the 7th printing.

~O

[Treebore]

The only thing I can figure, is since they copied this pretty much word for word from the 3E version, and then left out other key information, they effectively made Dispel Magic pretty darn powerful.

I wish they had put info like the following in it:

"Area Dispel

When dispel magic is used in this way, the spell affects everything within a 20-foot radius.

For each creature within the area that is the subject of one or more spells, you make a dispel check against the spell with the highest caster level. If that check fails, you make dispel checks against progressively weaker spells until you dispel one spell (which discharges the dispel magic spell so far as that target is concerned) or until you fail all your checks. The creature’s magic items are not affected.

For each object within the area that is the target of one or more spells, you make dispel checks as with creatures. Magic items are not affected by an area dispel.

For each ongoing area or effect spell whose point of origin is within the area of the dispel magic spell, you can make a dispel check to dispel the spell.

For each ongoing spell whose area overlaps that of the dispel magic spell, you can make a dispel check to end the effect, but only within the overlapping area.

If an object or creature that is the effect of an ongoing spell (such as a monster summoned by monster summoning) is in the area, you can make a dispel check to end the spell that conjured that object or creature (returning it whence it came) in addition to attempting to dispel spells targeting the creature or object.

You may choose to automatically succeed on dispel checks against any spell that you have cast. "

[Lord Dynel]

When I break it down by bullet point, it's not so bad.

• * The spell suppresses magic items, counters another's spell, and ends spell effects w/i a 30' x 30' x 30' area.
  * You must make an intelligence check for each effect to dispel in said area in order to dispel/suppress/counter it (this is the "dispel check")...some cannot be dispelled.
  * Instanteous spells cannot be countered, nor can illusionist spells higher than 5th level.
  * All magic w/i area is affected otherwise.
  * magic items suppress for 1d4 rounds, though artifacts are unaffected.
  * portals close for rounds equal to the caster's level.
  * creatures summoned by magic are sent back.
  * If your 30' x 30' x 30' area overlaps with another area spell, the other spell is suppressed (duration isn't stated, but I'd imagine 1 rnd. / level)
  * you automatically succeed at dispel checks against your own spells, unless for some reason you are a lower level than when you originally cast the spell.

That may or may not help, but looking at the statements individually seem to help me, at least.

[Snoring Rock]

What I hate most is that it states that ONLY ILLUSIONS can be dispelled. So what good is the dispel illusion spell for? What??

[Arduin]

What I hate most is that it states that ONLY ILLUSIONS can be dispelled. So what good is the dispel illusion spell for? What??

Errata time. I'll post it on the forum.

[Rigon]

Just remember, there are things that seem like mistakes that are in reality, intentional.

R-

[Arduin]

Just remember, there are things that seem like mistakes that are in reality, intentional.

R-

It needs to specify that as far as Illusion spells only, it dispels those levels only... Otherwise it could be construed as the entirety of its power.