Cabinet magic is a concept that refers to the ability of a cabinet or cupboard to produce a seemingly endless supply of items or objects. This concept is often found in fairy tales, children's literature, and fantasy stories, where a character opens a cabinet or cupboard and discovers a multitude of surprising and unexpected things inside. The idea of cabinet magic can also be found in real-world magic tricks and illusions. Magicians have been known to use cabinets to create illusions of objects appearing, disappearing, or transforming. By cleverly using hidden compartments, trap doors, mirrors, or other techniques, magicians can make it seem as though a cabinet contains much more than what meets the eye. In literature and storytelling, cabinet magic is often used to create moments of wonder, excitement, and mystery.
Before discussing the "trick" itself - since you're bringing up both dispel versions it's helpful to spell out what the differences between them are.
Assuming an enemy spellcaster of equal level tries to target him with an area dispel, making a 1d20 5 dispel check against DC 16, the chances for the spellcaster to not dispel any of the 22 Arcane Marks is 0. Okay, some rule changes aside it seems similar enough your sacrifice is either dispelled then it worked, at least for normal Dispel Magic or not, in which case the process continues.
In literature and storytelling, cabinet magic is often used to create moments of wonder, excitement, and mystery. Characters may stumble upon a cabinet that contains a hidden treasure, a portal to another world, or a collection of magical artifacts. The possibilities are endless, and the concept of cabinet magic allows for unexpected twists and turns in a story.
Thread: Dispel Magic and "sacrificial" buffs
Recently, I've seen suggestions to protect one's buffs by essentially using other buffs as sacrifices. So I've been trying to wrap my head around it, but I either don't get it or misunderstand dispelling.
(Also, sorry for being unable to provide examples, but I currently can't post links due to an abysmally low post count, yay. A very recent version would be post #4 in Braininthejar2's
"protecting buffs from dispel".)
[edit] Yeah well, might quote, even though I can't link at this moment. Silly me.
You can 'dilute the pool' so to speak by placing worthless, but long term spells on the buff target.
Arcane Mark is a great example; its even better if you can get a few Arcane Marks to be just one caster level higher than other buffs on the target, as Dispel targets highest caster level spell first.
Now, going by the SRD the 3.5 version says
Spoiler: 3.5 ShowOne object, creature, or spell is the target of the dispel magic spell. You make a dispel check (1d20 + your caster level, maximum +10) against the spell or against each ongoing spell currently in effect on the object or creature. The DC for this dispel check is 11 + the spell�s caster level. If you succeed on a particular check, that spell is dispelled; if you fail, that spell remains in effect. [. ]
When dispel magic is used in this way, the spell affects everything within a 20-foot radius.
For each creature within the area that is the subject of one or more spells, you make a dispel check against the spell with the highest caster level. If that check fails, you make dispel checks against progressively weaker spells until you dispel one spell (which discharges the dispel magic spell so far as that target is concerned) or until you fail all your checks. The creature�s magic items are not affected. [. ]
In other words, make the check, compare to spells on target(s), check if you've dispelled anything. So if you have a "sacrificial" buff active with a higher caster level (because those are targeted first) it works until the moment it's more likely to not be dispelled. Dispelling continues and moves on to your other buffs, which are slightly diluted and thus actually more lightly to be dispelled.
So I can see it working for area dispelling if and only if your sacrifice is actually dispelled, saving one of your other buffs. The odds are that your sacrifice stays on and one of the other buffs cast at lower caster level is dispelled instead, though.
Pathfinder version says
Spoiler: PF ShowTargeted 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. [. ]
[Actually from Greater Dispel Magic] Area Dispel: When greater dispel magic is used in this way, the spell affects everything within a 20-foot-radius burst. Roll one dispel check and apply that check to each creature in the area, as if targeted by dispel magic. For each object within the area that is the target of one or more spells, apply the dispel check as with creatures. Magic items are not affected by an area dispel.
For each ongoing area or effect spell whose point of origin is within the area of the greater dispel magic spell, apply the dispel check to dispel the spell. For each ongoing spell whose area overlaps that of the greater dispel magic spell, apply the dispel check to end the effect, but only within the overlapping area. [. ]
Okay, some rule changes aside it seems similar enough: your sacrifice is either dispelled (then it worked, at least for normal Dispel Magic) or not, in which case the process continues. You even have an explicit example where the spell with the highest caster level isn't dispelled, i.e. you better hope for your sacrifice to be affected, which is slightly more unlikely in comparison to the intentionally weaker spells. I'm afraid you're kinda out of luck anyhow if hit by the greater version.
So, have I missed or misunderstood something? If not, I don't really see the point in weakening all but one spell in general in basically all respects.
Last edited by Arkain; 2018-03-31 at 12:39 AM .
Spoilers
Barbarian in the Playground Join Date Oct 2010Cabinet magic can also be seen as a metaphor for the hidden potential or possibilities that lie within ordinary objects or places. Just like a seemingly ordinary cabinet can hold extraordinary things, so too can a person or place have hidden depths and hidden talents, just waiting to be discovered. Overall, cabinet magic is a fascinating concept that captures the imagination and invites us to see the world with a sense of wonder and curiosity. It reminds us that there is always more to things than what meets the eye and that sometimes, the most extraordinary things can be found in the most ordinary of places. Whether in fiction or in real life, cabinet magic offers us a glimpse into the fantastical and the extraordinary, and invites us to believe in the power of imagination and possibility..
Reviews for "The Symbolism of Cabinet Magic La Habta: Decrypting the Hidden Meanings"
1. John Smith - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Cabinet Magic La Habta". The show's plot was incredibly predictable, and the acting felt forced and unnatural. The magic tricks themselves also lacked any real sense of wonder or awe. Overall, it felt like a cheap and poorly executed attempt at a magic show. I would not recommend wasting your time or money on this one.
2. Emily Johnson - 1/5 stars - "Cabinet Magic La Habta" was the worst magic show I have ever seen. The magician seemed to be disinterested and performed the tricks without any enthusiasm. The tricks themselves were unimpressive and lacked any real skill. The stage design was also lackluster and did not add anything to the overall experience. Save yourself the disappointment and choose a different magic show to attend.
3. David Thompson - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Cabinet Magic La Habta" but was left feeling underwhelmed. The tricks performed were fairly basic and lacked any wow factor. The magician's stage presence and charisma were also lacking, making the show feel dull and uninteresting. The overall production felt amateurish and poorly executed. I would not recommend this show to anyone looking for a captivating magic experience.