Confusion - (SU) and Immunity to Magic

[Benejeseret]

So, a SU ability like dragon's breath is not stopped by spell resistance and so also bypasses Immunity to Magic. But, what about special conditions tied to Immunity to Magic?

Example - A Dragon's fire breath against an Iron Golem.

Now, the breath weapon (SU) ignores the Iron Golem's spell immunity and thus should deal damage as normal.
- But fire-typed magical damage heals the golem
- But this ability is under the Magic Immunity (Ex) heading, not a separate (Ex) ability
- Also here is that the golem gets no save against fire based attacks

So, is the (SU) supernatural ability considered magical?

Does a Dragon's Fire Breath hurt the Iron Golem? Does it heal it? Does the golem get a save if it does take damage?

Thanks

[LiteYear]

Supernatural abilities still count as magical, so I would say that the Iron Golem would be healed without getting a saving throw.

[Benejeseret]

Yes, but since it bypasses the Magic Immunity and the golem has no fire immunity it so should also take damage.

Perhaps it takes full damage but also heals 1 per 3 points of damage taken...thus only 2/3rds damage??

[KillianHawkeye]

Here's the part you're missing (bolded for emphasis):


Immunity to Magic (Ex)

An iron golem is immune to any spell or spell-like ability that allows spell resistance. In addition, certain spells and effects function differently against the creature, as noted below.

A magical attack that deals electricity damage slows an iron golem (as the slow spell) for 3 rounds, with no saving throw.

A magical attack that deals fire damage breaks any slow effect on the golem and heals 1 point of damage for each 3 points of damage the attack would otherwise deal. If the amount of healing would cause the golem to exceed its full normal hit points, it gains any excess as temporary hit points. For example, an iron golem hit by a fireball gains back 6 hit points if the damage total is 18 points. An iron golem gets no saving throw against fire effects.

An iron golem is affected normally by rust attacks, such as that of a rust monster or a rusting grasp spell.

As you can see, ONLY the first sentence has anything at all to do with SR. Everything else is in addition to that, meaning that it happens regardless. So, as a dragon's breath weapon is magical in nature, the Iron Golem gets no saving throw and is healed by the effect.

[LiteYear]

The part in Immunity to Magic does not state that the spell cast has to be subject to spell resistance to apply the alternate effects. So I would still rule that it won't take damage from the breath, and get the healing as described without a saving throw. However, maybe the people in the RAW Q&A thread will know more about it and have an alternate ruling.

[Benejeseret]

Alright, seems the first part is cleared up. The additional special abilities should apply regardless since it is a magical attack and are not reliant to the Magic Immunity even though they are listed under its entry.

BUT, if a Dragon with COLD or some other breath type would deal normal damage.

And a dragon with electricity breath would slow the Iron Golem