School abjuration;; Level bard 3, cleric 3, druid 4, paladin 3, sorcerer/wizard 3
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S
Range
Medium
Targets one spellcaster, creature, or object
Duration instantaneous
Saving Throw none
;
Spell Resistance No
You can use dispel magic to end one ongoing spell that has
been cast on a creature or object, to temporarily suppress
the magical abilities of a magic item, or to counter another
spellcaster’s spell. A dispelled spell ends as if its duration had
expired. Some spells, as detailed in their descriptions, can’t
be defeated by dispel magic. Dispel magic can dispel (but not
counter) spell-like effects just as it does spells. The effect
of a spell with an instantaneous duration can’t be dispelled,
because the magical effect is already over before the dispel
magic can take effect.
You choose to use dispel magic in one of two ways: a targeted
dispel or a counterspell.
Targeted Dispel: One object, creature, or spell is the target of
the dispel magic spell. You make one dispel check (1d20 + your
caster level) and compare that to the spell with highest caster level
(DC = 11 + the spell’s caster level). If successful, that spell ends.
If not, compare the same result to the spell with the next highest
caster level. Repeat this process until you have dispelled one spell
affecting the target, or you have failed to dispel every spell.
For example, a 7th-level caster casts dispel magic, targeting a
creature affected by stoneskin (caster level 12th) and fly (caster level
6th). The caster level check results in a 19. This check is not high
enough to end the stoneskin (which would have required a 23 or
higher), but it is high enough to end the fly (which only required
a 17). Had the dispel check resulted in a 23 or higher, the stoneskin
would have been dispelled, leaving the fly intact. Had the dispel
check been a 16 or less, no spells would have been affected.
You can also use a targeted dispel to specifically end one spell
affecting the target or one spell affecting an area (such as a wall of
fire). You must name the specific spell effect to be targeted in this
way. If your caster level check is equal to or higher than the DC of that
spell, it ends. No other spells or effects on the target are dispelled if
your check is not high enough to end the targeted effect.
If you target an object or creature that is the effect of an
ongoing spell (such as a monster summoned by summon monster),
you make a dispel check to end the spell that conjured the object
or creature.
If the object that you target is a magic item, you make a
dispel check against the item’s caster level (DC = 11 + the item’s
caster level). If you succeed, all the item’s magical properties
are suppressed for 1d4 rounds, after which the item recovers its
magical properties. A suppressed item becomes nonmagical for
the duration of the effect. An interdimensional opening (such as
a bag of holding) is temporarily closed. A magic item’s physical
properties are unchanged: A suppressed magic sword is still a sword
(a masterwork sword, in fact). Artifacts and deities are unaffected by
mortal magic such as this.
You automatically succeed on your dispel check against any spell
that you cast yourself.
Counterspell: When dispel magic is used in this way, the spell
targets a spellcaster and is cast as a counterspell. Unlike a true
counterspell, however, dispel magic may not work; you must make a
dispel check to counter the other spellcaster’s spell