Constructs and Greater Dispel Magic

[Eye Tyrant]

I had a game yesterday where I put my players up against two constructs (a creation of mine called Hammer Golems, Dwarven Stone Golems that wield a hammer and pick at +19, where heavt adamantine armor and use "Pounding Force" which is basically Repulsion +4d6... anyway). So, when the Ranger (who has Construct as a Favored Enemy) fails to phase the things (DR 10/Adamantine), they get concerned. Well, in steps Eysredd, the Wizard, who promptly casts his brand new 6th Level spell Greater Dispel Magic. Now, as I understand it, a golems spell immunity works only against spells that do not allow spell resistance (the spell in question does not allow for SR and no save), so then we affect the highest spell or magic first. In this case that would be Antimagic Field. So the golems spell immunity is dispelled since the Wizard succeeded on his Dispel Check. What I did from there is allow magic to affect the golems normally, which seems right, but I just wanted a seconed opinion (and third...). I could not find anything at the time (and have not checked yet) that says if any spells affect them differently or not...

 

[Plane Sailing]

Dispel magic cannot affect spell immunity. (nor could it affect antimagic field)

 

[Herpes Cineplex]

Well, the description for antimagic field specifically notes that the effect cannot be removed by dispel magic, so already there's a problem.

I also seem to remember that when you dispel a monster's magical ability that either operates continuously or can be raised at will, it only buys you 1d4 rounds (or maybe less) before the monster can restore the effect. So even if I would have allowed a dispel to strip off a golem's spell immunity (which, obviously, I wouldn't), I wouldn't have let it last very long.

--
almost certainly not long enough to actually destroy a really nasty stone golem
ryan

 

[Eye Tyrant]

Yeah, I figured that I had goofed on that one... Not to worry, there are more, and one that is Huge (as opposed to the normal Large). Still, my golems put a whuppin' on the party.

 

[UltimaGabe]

The thing about Golems' magic immunity is that it isn't an effect that can be dispelled. It's not an ongoing spell, it's a Supernatural ability (as far as I know). Supernatural abilities cannot be dispelled.

 

[Saeviomagy]

Your players are going to be SOOOO happy with you.

I'm assuming that 'super heavy adamantine armour' is at least 3 or 4 suits of heavy armour worth of adamantine.

And given your characters are up to greater dispel, they already have fabricate.

So after that first battle, they've all got adamantine weapons anyway. Not to mention the fact that they should have about 105,000 bucks of wealth from just that first encounter...

 

[Eye Tyrant]

Yeah, I thought of that as well.... but they haven't! So shhh! Seeing as I haven't finished the whole adventure yet, perhaps a few rust monsters are in order!

Oh yeah, they don't have a clue as to what beats the DR either so they probably won't think to try to take the armor.

I did plant a weapon for them to find and use against the golems though...

So how would you guys handle the "Whaddya mean!" that I will certainly hear? I did tell them during the game that I was not sure if I was handling things properly...

 

[shilsen]

So how would you guys handle the "Whaddya mean!" that I will certainly hear? I did tell them during the game that I was not sure if I was handling things properly...

Tell them at the start of the next session that you made a mistake in allowing Greater Dispel Magic to affect the golems' spell immunity. Everyone makes mistakes, and considering that it actually made things easier for them, they really shouldn't complain about it. Just make sure to tell them at the start of the session, so that they don't try the same thing on the next bunch and get upset when they find out it doesn't work any more.

 

[Eye Tyrant]

Tell them at the start of the next session that you made a mistake in allowing Greater Dispel Magic to affect the golems' spell immunity. Everyone makes mistakes, and considering that it actually made things easier for them, they really shouldn't complain about it. Just make sure to tell them at the start of the session, so that they don't try the same thing on the next bunch and get upset when they find out it doesn't work any more.

Yeah, I figured the same... I actually told one of my players today at work and he seemed to take it in stride....