What is the point of the Reverse of Enchanted Weapon?

[Stefan Hill]

Just wondering why someone would ever cast the reverse of Enchant Weapon? Assuming that it would be called Disenchant Weapon; could it negate a +4 Sword and make it normal for the duration of the spell?

S.

[T. Foster]

Boring no-fun answer: I think listing it as Reversible in the PH was an error -- note that it is (IIRC) the only Reversible spell in the book that doesn't describe how the reversed version works.

If you don't like that answer, sure, I suppose the effect would be to make any magical weapon non-magical for the duration of the spell. Which could perhaps be useful in some very limited circumstances, but I have a hard time imagining any of those circumstances being predictable far enough in advance to ever make taking this as a 4th level spell worthwhile or reasonable. But it might be something fun to throw out on a scroll or in a ring of spell storing just to see how/if your players will find a way to make it useful.

[Wheggi]

I think it would be pretty cool to give an evil M/U reverse enchanted weapon if he had some kind of minion that could only be hit by magic weapons. Wouldn't that be a rude surprise!

- Wheggi

[grodog]

I think it would be pretty cool to give an evil M/U reverse enchanted weapon if he had some kind of minion that could only be hit by magic weapons. Wouldn't that be a rude surprise!

I agree, and that's exactly the scenario I was thinking of, too: MU uses Monster Summoning and gets a wererat, then casts the reverse to remove his opponent's ability to damage the rat, who then kills and eats the opponent. Of course the reverse would ideally have a range greater than Touch, and a much-shorter casting time....

[PatW]

You could also perhaps use it to safely handle an item that would otherwise mess with you - a chaotic evil magic-user trying to stick that Holy Avenger in a locked chest, or any poor slob who wants to pick up Blackrazor.

[Stefan Hill]

Cheers. It's enchant Weapon, so rings are out, and as stated due to the casting time of 10 minutes it might not be that useful in combat. I was thinking about using it to hide a magic sword (or other weapon) from detection (i.e. detect magic). It does seem a little odd man out in the spell list. The idea of 'negating' the side-effects of a weapon, that's sound interesting.

Could it be used to remove a cursed weapon from someone?

S.

[geneweigel]

The normal version of the spell is for restoration if conditions arise (planar, area, etc).

The reverse is "cursed weapon" (from the mid-80's character sheets) and uses that I've seen include temporarily changing the alignment of a weapon to neutral to deceive or to shut off the intelligence of a weapon that "talks too much".

[AxeMental]

SF: "Could it be used to remove a cursed weapon from someone?"

An interesting idea: I think it wouldn't remove it, though it could temporarily deactivate its effects. I suppose if made permanent it would have that effect (though the curse would return if the spell broke).

I think a magical sword would still glow magical even if this spell were cast upon it. It looses its powers, not its composition (unless stated in the spell description or in a module). The only way I know to block a magical detection is through a barrier like a lead box (perhaps a bag of holding?).

I think the most obvious use for this spell is to take out a known weapon before or during combat (as mentioned). There are a ton of spells that you have to wonder who in the world would bother memorizing...this is one of them. The idea of putting it in a scroll is awesome.

[Benoist]

I think it would be pretty cool to give an evil M/U reverse enchanted weapon if he had some kind of minion that could only be hit by magic weapons. Wouldn't that be a rude surprise!

Totally. That spell strikes me as a sure way to make fighting character types cry during a battle.
Goodbye Holy Avenger! I hardly knew ye!

[Stefan Hill]

After TOO much discussion in my newly formed 1e AD&D group... We went with boring answer (a) and removed the 'reversible" descriptor. Seemed easier than trying to define the powers and limitations for 'Disenchant Weapon" or after reading the above perhaps "Curse Weapon" was the correct reverse of the spell?

Thanks for the discussion,
S.

[THAC0]

Back in the day we would follow up this spell with Dispel Magic and use the one-two punch to permanently disenchant weapons. It was, however, a house rule, and the weapon did get a saving throw.