Do You Know if Dispel Magic Works?
The short answer is: it depends. While the spell Dispel Magic in 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons (5e) is incredibly versatile, it’s not a guaranteed fix-all for every magical predicament. Success is determined by several factors, including the level of the magic you’re trying to dispel, the nature of the effect itself, and often, a bit of luck. Let’s dive into the details to give you a comprehensive understanding of when and how Dispel Magic can (or can’t) work.
Understanding the Core Mechanics of Dispel Magic
At its most basic, Dispel Magic targets one creature, object, or magical effect within range. The effect of the spell depends largely on the level of the magic it’s targeting. Here’s the key breakdown:
- Automatic Success: Any spell of 3rd level or lower on the target simply ends. No rolls, no checks; it’s gone.
- Dispel Check Required: For each spell of 4th level or higher on the target, you need to make an ability check using your spellcasting ability. This check uses the following formula: 10 + the spell’s level. You add your spellcasting modifier to your roll. For example, dispelling a 7th level spell requires you to roll 10+7 or 17. You then must beat that number on your roll with your modifier.
This means that dispelling higher-level magic becomes increasingly difficult, requiring skill and favorable dice rolls.
Limitations and Nuances
It’s crucial to understand that Dispel Magic has specific limitations. It’s not a counterspell in the traditional sense. You can’t use it to stop a spell being cast. Instead, it removes existing magical effects, which can often be a lifesaver.
Furthermore, Dispel Magic only works on spells. It doesn’t affect things like magic items (though it can suppress their magical properties temporarily), innate abilities, or creature features that are magical in nature but not explicitly the result of a spell. For example:
- Wild Shape: A druid’s Wild Shape is a magical feature, not a spell, and thus unaffected by Dispel Magic.
- Spell-Like Abilities: Dispel Magic cannot be used to counter spell-like abilities, nor can a spell-like ability be used to counterspell.
- Magic Items: While you can temporarily suppress the magical properties of a magic item with a successful dispel check, you cannot remove the magic from it completely.
Situational Effectiveness
The utility of Dispel Magic is also highly situational.
- Removing Buffs and Debuffs: It’s excellent for removing harmful magical status effects like Confusion, Fear, or harmful buffs from enemies, giving your team a strategic advantage.
- Disarming Magical Traps: You can use it to disarm some magical traps, making exploration safer.
- Closing Portals and Removing Alarms: It can close magical portals or get rid of magical alarms, offering both tactical and strategic advantages.
- True Polymorph: It can remove the effect of True Polymorph spells on an object and restore the creature back to its normal form.
- Invisibility: While directly dispelling an invisibility spell is an option, attacking or casting a spell causes invisibility to end automatically on the target.
However, be aware of what it cannot do. For example:
- Madness: Dispel Magic is unlikely to remove madness. Greater Restoration or more powerful magic is typically required for that.
- Summoned Creatures: Dispel Magic cannot dismiss summoned creatures, but can break a caster’s control over them.
- Wall of Force: While it might seem that Dispel Magic should be able to dispel a Wall of Force, it is an ongoing magic effect, not a spell effect. The Wall of Force can be specifically destroyed with a Disintegrate spell.
The Importance of Line of Sight and Senses
An often-overlooked aspect of Dispel Magic is that the caster needs to be able to detect the result with their senses. There’s no automatic notification of success or failure, except when it affects an object or creature that the caster can observe. The caster will have to look at the target and assess the situation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dispel Magic
To further clarify the complexities of Dispel Magic, here are some frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use Dispel Magic to stop a spell from being cast?
No, Dispel Magic is not a counterspell. It can only dispel magic that has already taken effect, meaning it cannot stop a spell before it is cast.
2. Does Dispel Magic always work on 3rd level spells or lower?
Yes, Dispel Magic automatically ends any spell of 3rd level or lower on the target.
3. How do I know if my Dispel Magic attempt has worked?
Unless the caster can detect the results using their senses, there is no way for the caster to know if their dispel magic succeeded or failed.
4. Can I dispel a magic item with Dispel Magic?
No, you cannot permanently dispel a magic item. However, you can suppress its magical properties for 1d4 rounds if you succeed on a dispel check against the item’s caster level.
5. Can Dispel Magic remove madness?
Not typically. Dispel Magic may sometimes help with minor magical madness effects, but more powerful magic, like Greater Restoration, is usually needed.
6. Will Dispel Magic get rid of summoned creatures?
No, Dispel Magic does not get rid of summoned creatures, but it can break the caster’s control over them. This only affects one creature per casting of Dispel Magic.
7. Can Dispel Magic be used on Wild Shape?
No, Wild Shape is not a spell, but a magical feature, thus Dispel Magic has no effect.
8. Does Dispel Magic work on Polymorph?
Yes, Dispel Magic works on spells like Polymorph or Baleful Polymorph, provided you succeed on the required dispel check.
9. Can I use Dispel Magic on a Bag of Holding?
No, Dispel Magic does not affect items created by spells once the spell has completed, such as a Bag of Holding.
10. How does Dispel Magic interact with invisibility?
While Dispel Magic can end an invisibility effect, attacking or casting a spell automatically ends the invisibility on that target.
11. Can I dispel an ongoing magical effect like Wall of Force?
No, Dispel Magic will not work against a Wall of Force. It can only be destroyed by a Disintegrate spell.
12. Can Dispel Magic remove Confusion?
Yes, but to dispel the whole confusion effect, Dispel Magic may need to be cast as an area dispel or a Greater Dispel.
13. How can I protect against Dispel Magic?
You can protect against Dispel Magic by casting your spells using higher spell slots, using a spell like Globe of Invulnerability or by Counterspelling their attempt to Dispel Magic.
14. Can Dispel Magic remove True Polymorph?
Yes, if True Polymorph is cast on an object, Dispel Magic can remove its effect and revert it to its original form.
15. What’s the difference between Purify and Dispel Magic?
Purify (for priests) is a healing spell that removes all magic and disease effects from friendly targets. Dispel Magic is used to remove one beneficial spell from an enemy target.
Conclusion
Dispel Magic is a powerful tool in the arsenal of any spellcaster, but it’s essential to know its limitations and how to use it effectively. Its ability to end low-level spells and counteract high-level magic (with a bit of luck) makes it invaluable in many situations. By understanding the core mechanics, situational uses, and answering frequently asked questions, players can optimize their use of Dispel Magic and navigate the magical landscapes of 5e more confidently. Remember, it’s not a universal “magic eraser,” but with the right knowledge and strategy, Dispel Magic can be a game-changer.