In Tales from the Yawning Portal, my character lucked into the "Bracelet of Rock Magic" A really nifty magic item (although a tad cursed) that makes you immune to being petrified.
Now, in researching exactly how good of an immunity this is, I took a look at the Medusa and ended up scratching my head. Part of the write up restrains a creature, turning it to stone, without technically giving the petrified condition. The Gorgon and the Basilisk are similar.
The Cockatrice, however, does say it's a save versus petrification, so I have no issues with that.
I imagine this may come down to a DM-case basis, but I wanted to see what people thought about it, before I go foolishly charging into a face to face with a medusa. (Because if I am 100% immune to the gaze, that is exactly what I will do!)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Check out my [website], where I have a webcomic and occasionally write D&D related Articles
In the case of both the medusa and basilisk, the ability they use is called "petrifying gaze" (my emphasis added).
To me, that means a DM has to be acting intentionally obtuse not to let immunity to being petrified apply without even reading further into the effects - which, by the way both actually do use the word "petrified"; the medusa in the clause of the ability that applies should the initial saving throw fail by 5 or more, and the basilisk in the description of what happens should a second saving throw against the effect be failed.
What Aaron said. In 5E, the "save or die" effects of petrification is given a power-up phase so the PC has to fail two consecutive Saving Throws to be petrified. The medusa and basilisk deliver their attacks via gaze while the cockatrice has to physically attack. The catoblepas used to be a gaze petrifier but I think it's gaze attack deals necrotic damage now. But I digress, your Braclet of Rock Magic should protect you from petrification attacks and give you Advantage on all 4-beat rhythm music Charisma (Performance) checks. *rimshot*
I feel like the end result of all the above examples is Petrification, so that initial "Restrained" condition would be a component condition to the overall Petrification ability. Like if you're immune to poison, and get shot by a Drow Sleep Poison bolt, wouldn't you be also immune to the sleep effect? I think with this item, you would be immune to the Restraint caused by the Petrification effect.
The Petrified condition states that the creature is transformed into a solid inanimate object. So, if you are turned to stone, you are for all purposes petrified.
“It is a better world. A place where we are responsible for our actions, where we can be kind to one another because we want to and because it is the right thing to do instead of being frightened into behaving by the threat of divine punishment.” ― Oramis, Eldest by Christopher Paolini.
And, since being turned to stone is a way of gaining the petrified condition, I'd argue that you are immune to all aspects of the Petrifying Gaze/Breath; even the Restrained portion of the attacks, since it says that you begin to turn to stone.
“It is a better world. A place where we are responsible for our actions, where we can be kind to one another because we want to and because it is the right thing to do instead of being frightened into behaving by the threat of divine punishment.” ― Oramis, Eldest by Christopher Paolini.
The catoblepas used to be a gaze petrifier but I think it's gaze attack deals necrotic damage now.
It originally had an instant-death gaze. Can't recall if it spent a time with that toned down to petrification before being put back to a (less effective for design paradigm reasons) death effect by 5th edition.
The Bracelet should probably prevent the restrained condition from occurring. I suppose a particularly evil dm could argue that the bracelet prevents you form turning to stone, not the initial effects that cause you to be restrained (under this interpretation, you aren't actually turning to stone after the first save, but beginning to as your body shuts down).
However, it seems the intent is to auto succeed on the saving throw and beginning to turn into stone, seems to be enough that the bracelet would prevent it as you can't be turned to stone.
I guess the real issue where is whether or not the initial turning to stone is considered being petrified. So you could suffer the initial effects but couldn't actually be petrified. Honestly, I can see devious DMs forcing you to make the initial save or being restrained, and only allowing the bracers to prevent the actual petrification.
Probably better to just let the PC be immune to both.
The catoblepas used to be a gaze petrifier but I think it's gaze attack deals necrotic damage now.
It originally had an instant-death gaze. Can't recall if it spent a time with that toned down to petrification before being put back to a (less effective for design paradigm reasons) death effect by 5th edition.
Right! One "save or die effect" tends to blur with another...I can see the Trampier artwork clearly in my mind still, just not the 1E stat block.
I guess the real issue where is whether or not the initial turning to stone is considered being petrified. So you could suffer the initial effects but couldn't actually be petrified. Honestly, I can see devious DMs forcing you to make the initial save or being restrained, and only allowing the bracers to prevent the actual petrification.
That was what I was worried about. If a DM was going to go to all that trouble to add in a petrifying creature, they wouldn't want me to ruin the whole encounter with a single chance item. I know I hate it when players do that to me.
But, with all the "Of course you're fine!" in this thread, I feel a lot better about it!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Check out my [website], where I have a webcomic and occasionally write D&D related Articles
Look at it another way - the DM let you have an item and then made sure to put in a creature that allowed you to use the item. :)
Right? It's not like these creatures don't have other attacks. And Petrify will be a bad thing for the REST of your group, if not you. Your character could also be the reason why a Medusa might try to parlay, if she tries to petrify you and nothing happens, she MIGHT be inclined to try and talk it out.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
In Tales from the Yawning Portal, my character lucked into the "Bracelet of Rock Magic" A really nifty magic item (although a tad cursed) that makes you immune to being petrified.
Now, in researching exactly how good of an immunity this is, I took a look at the Medusa and ended up scratching my head. Part of the write up restrains a creature, turning it to stone, without technically giving the petrified condition. The Gorgon and the Basilisk are similar.
The Cockatrice, however, does say it's a save versus petrification, so I have no issues with that.
I imagine this may come down to a DM-case basis, but I wanted to see what people thought about it, before I go foolishly charging into a face to face with a medusa. (Because if I am 100% immune to the gaze, that is exactly what I will do!)
Check out my [website], where I have a webcomic and occasionally write D&D related Articles
On Twitter as @mattwandcow
In the case of both the medusa and basilisk, the ability they use is called "petrifying gaze" (my emphasis added).
To me, that means a DM has to be acting intentionally obtuse not to let immunity to being petrified apply without even reading further into the effects - which, by the way both actually do use the word "petrified"; the medusa in the clause of the ability that applies should the initial saving throw fail by 5 or more, and the basilisk in the description of what happens should a second saving throw against the effect be failed.
What Aaron said. In 5E, the "save or die" effects of petrification is given a power-up phase so the PC has to fail two consecutive Saving Throws to be petrified. The medusa and basilisk deliver their attacks via gaze while the cockatrice has to physically attack. The catoblepas used to be a gaze petrifier but I think it's gaze attack deals necrotic damage now. But I digress, your Braclet of Rock Magic should protect you from petrification attacks and give you Advantage on all 4-beat rhythm music Charisma (Performance) checks. *rimshot*
We all leave footprints in the sands of time.
I feel like the end result of all the above examples is Petrification, so that initial "Restrained" condition would be a component condition to the overall Petrification ability. Like if you're immune to poison, and get shot by a Drow Sleep Poison bolt, wouldn't you be also immune to the sleep effect? I think with this item, you would be immune to the Restraint caused by the Petrification effect.
The Petrified condition states that the creature is transformed into a solid inanimate object. So, if you are turned to stone, you are for all purposes petrified.
Click Here to Download my Lancer Class w/ Dragoon and Legionnaire Archetypes via DM's Guild - Pay What You Want
Click Here to Download the Mind Flayer: Thoon Hulk converted from 4e via DM's Guild
“It is a better world. A place where we are responsible for our actions, where we can be kind to one another because we want to and because it is the right thing to do instead of being frightened into behaving by the threat of divine punishment.” ― Oramis, Eldest by Christopher Paolini.
Also, the Medusa, Basilisk, and Gorgon all say that they cause the Petrified condition.
And, since being turned to stone is a way of gaining the petrified condition, I'd argue that you are immune to all aspects of the Petrifying Gaze/Breath; even the Restrained portion of the attacks, since it says that you begin to turn to stone.
Click Here to Download my Lancer Class w/ Dragoon and Legionnaire Archetypes via DM's Guild - Pay What You Want
Click Here to Download the Mind Flayer: Thoon Hulk converted from 4e via DM's Guild
“It is a better world. A place where we are responsible for our actions, where we can be kind to one another because we want to and because it is the right thing to do instead of being frightened into behaving by the threat of divine punishment.” ― Oramis, Eldest by Christopher Paolini.
The Bracelet should probably prevent the restrained condition from occurring. I suppose a particularly evil dm could argue that the bracelet prevents you form turning to stone, not the initial effects that cause you to be restrained (under this interpretation, you aren't actually turning to stone after the first save, but beginning to as your body shuts down).
However, it seems the intent is to auto succeed on the saving throw and beginning to turn into stone, seems to be enough that the bracelet would prevent it as you can't be turned to stone.
I guess the real issue where is whether or not the initial turning to stone is considered being petrified. So you could suffer the initial effects but couldn't actually be petrified. Honestly, I can see devious DMs forcing you to make the initial save or being restrained, and only allowing the bracers to prevent the actual petrification.
Probably better to just let the PC be immune to both.
We all leave footprints in the sands of time.
Check out my [website], where I have a webcomic and occasionally write D&D related Articles
On Twitter as @mattwandcow
-
View User Profile
-
View Posts
-
Send Message
D&D Beyond FoundersLook at it another way - the DM let you have an item and then made sure to put in a creature that allowed you to use the item. :)
Pun-loving nerd | Faith Elisabeth Lilley | She/Her/Hers | Profile art by Becca Golins
If you need help with homebrew, please post on the homebrew forums, where multiple staff and moderators can read your post and help you!
"We got this, no problem! I'll take the twenty on the left - you guys handle the one on the right!"🔊