Rusting Touch - Witch
- SchoolAlteration
- ComponentsV, S, M
- RangeTouch
- AreaObject touched
- Casting time8
- Duration1 turn
- SaveSpecial
A witch who casts this spell gains the power of a cursed touch that affects metals of any type with a highly destructive version of the rust monster's touch. Normal ferrous metals-iron, steel, and various alloys-are destroyed instantly; nonferrous metals and alloys such as gold, platinum, copper, and even brass are entitled to an item saving throw vs. disintegration (a roll of 17 or higher on a d20) to avoid destruction. Protection from evil effects adjust the saving throw.
A magical item of ferrous metal is allowed a saving throw vs. disintegration at a -3 penalty, modified by the item's magical enchantment. For example, a sword +1 has a base save of 17 with a total penalty of-2, saving on a 19 or 20.
A magical item of nonferrous metal is allowed a saving throw vs. disintegration with a +2 bonus.
If this spell is used against a creature of living or animated metal, the creature must make a successful saving throw vs. death magic or be destroyed, suffering 3d8+3 points of damage if successful.
If used in combat to destroy an opponent's armor, a successful attack roll against AC 8 is required, adjusted for the wearer's Dexterity and magic-based adjustments to Armor Class.
Destroying a weapon wielded by an enemy is more difficult, requiring an attack roll against AC 4 adjusted for the wielder's Dexterity. The witch must touch the item to be affected, not the other way around, so she can be injured or killed by opponents wielding steel weapons.
The witch can affect as many items as she can touch in the spell's duration. Unusually large objects (1,000 pounds or more) may require more than one round of contact to destroy, at the DM's discretion.
The material component is a rust monster scale.
Notes: Restricted to evil witches; rare. (Updated from Dragon Magazine.)
Sources: Wizard's Spell Compendium