ElectricDragon
Explorer
In 3.5, they've removed the "creatures that hear" condition from the first set of effects. But they didn't bother to change the wording of the latter half of the spell. It's still true, but it's actually unnecessary now.
That is your interpetation. Mine differs. If this is how you wish to "House Rule" it in your campaigns, so be it. But realize, that my interpetation is just as valid as yours. You say it is an extraneous sentence and should be ignored. I say that it is a needed sentence and should be heeded.
You mean like Dominate Monster (9th level attack) vs Protection from Evil (1st level defence)?
No, the dominate monster does not have a sonic effect. Dominate Monster is not a virtual opposite of Protection from Evil. Though Dominate Monster is language-dependant and deafness or Silence would protect one from it.
How about this for an example, instead: Greater Shout (8th, sonic) 10d6 sonic damage (average roll 35 hp) versus Resist Energy (2nd) (sonic) maximum protection 30 points. Doesn't stop all the damage on even an average roll. But even these examples are not virtual opposites of each other.
This should be as evident as the [light] and [darkness] spell descriptors and how they work against each other: "A light spell (one with the light descriptor) counters and dispels a darkness spell (one with the darkness descriptor) of an equal or lower level." Sonic has a descriptor, and although silence does not, it is its opposite and should be treated accordingly.
Where does it say what you are pushing, that:
Sonic effects that require the subject to be able to hear are generally noted as such.
Websters Dictionary says sonic is defined as: Of or relating to audible sound.
Not audible = not heard = unaffected.
Sonic is noise and unless the noise is strong enough to be physically damaging (shattering fragile objects and such), I don't see how it can affect a deafened individual. The spell, silence, allows for a magical "deafness" that also provides protection from sonic effects (but not, it is important to mention, damage in some cases: e.g. Sound Burst). Resist energy and protection from energy provide protection from sonic damage, but not sonic effects.
Ciao
Dave