Lowering immunities

[drack]

This one's a quick one.

I've heard of monsters and such lowering immunities to get beneficial effects.
Using example of immunity to magic to simplify.


1) Can they actually do this?
2) If they raise their immunity after the spell is cast, do it's effects continue to affect the creature hat is once more immune to magic?

[Chronos]

It depends on the immunity. Magic immunity is treated like infinitely-high spell resistance, and spell resistance can be lowered voluntarily, which suggests that the same is true of magic immunity. On the other end of the scale, though, you get things like Warforged Juggernauts becoming immune to healing spells, which would be rather pointless if you could lower it.

[drack]

Well I was wondering more the general case.
So something like immunity to mind effecting could be lowered, given a mind effecting effect, then raised keeping the effect?
Or would a non-undead with immunity to positive energy be able to lower it? :smallconfused:

Just seems odd to me since immunity sounds so final. :smalltongue:

[Carth]

The example given in the PHB is an elf willingly being put to sleep. If an elf can do that, there's nothing farfetched about accepting a mind affecting buff.

[drack]

Thanks guys, just wanted to double check this since I've been rolling with it for a while. :smallbiggrin:

[sonofzeal]

Well I was wondering more the general case.
So something like immunity to mind effecting could be lowered, given a mind effecting effect, then raised keeping the effect?
Or would a non-undead with immunity to positive energy be able to lower it? :smallconfused:

Just seems odd to me since immunity sounds so final. :smalltongue:
I'd handle it case-by-case. Some uses may be abusive, and illogical. A construct should not be benefiting from Morale effects, for example. Generally speaking, I'd say no.... but be flexible in some cases where it helps the game along and isn't a balance concern.

[Jack_Simth]

This one's a quick one.

I've heard of monsters and such lowering immunities to get beneficial effects.
Using example of immunity to magic to simplify.


1) Can they actually do this?
2) If they raise their immunity after the spell is cast, do it's effects continue to affect the creature hat is once more immune to magic?

It's specifically addressed as part of the saving throw section (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicOverview/spellDescriptions.htm#savingThrow)
A creature can voluntarily forego a saving throw and willingly accept a spell’s result. Even a character with a special resistance to magic can suppress this quality. (emphasis added)

You get more detail in the actual player's handbook (see the mention of an elf accepting a sleep spell), but the SRD is utterly quotable.

[Jeff the Green]

I'd handle it case-by-case. Some uses may be abusive, and illogical. A construct should not be benefiting from Morale effects, for example. Generally speaking, I'd say no.... but be flexible in some cases where it helps the game along and isn't a balance concern.

Well, depends on the construct. Mindless ones, sure, but there's no reason a Brain Golem can't be inspired by an Illithid bard.

[Chronos]

Wait, a brain golem? Is that an actual thing?

[kardar233]

I'd say that usually Mind-Affecting effects are suppressed my immunity without a chance to lower it. I come to this decision based on the text of BoED's Empyreal Ecstasy.

[Jeff the Green]

Wait, a brain golem? Is that an actual thing?

Yup. Fiend Folio page 85. One of the rare intelligent constructs.

[Der_DWSage]

And again in the Lords of Madness book, where there's some more detail on them. They essentially work as the hands and ears of the Elder Brain, which can't leave its pool.

[Chronos]

OK, that's just so wrong... And yet, so very right.

[drack]

Anywho thanks for answering. :smallbiggrin: