[RPG] Does Antimagic Field suppress or prevent petrification from a creature ability

antimagic-fieldconditionsdnd-5emonsters

Inspired by this question and in particular, this answer. I'm focusing on a specific effect; petrification.

If by a medusa's gaze or a beholder's eye rays (or other creatures with a similar ability), their abilities give you precisely two chances; the initial save, which if you fail will restrain you as you begin to turn to stone, then a final save, which if you fail again sees you petrified.

From this, I have a couple of closely related questions with regards to how this method of petrification interacts with antimagic field (I decided to split this question up into two sets, since otherwise all 5 questions together made this post too broad; the other set of questions is here):

  • If a creature has been petrified by a creature, as in failed both saves, does antimagic field have any effect on their petrified condition?
  • If a creature is currently being petrified, meaning they've failed one save but have yet to make the other save, does antimagic field stop the magical effect and they effectively auto-succeed that second saving throw?

Best Answer

The Petrified Condition would not be suppressed or removed unless it is magical

Antimagic field has a specific list of effects stating what it is capable of doing - and the one most applicable to this situation would be:

Targeted Effects. Spells and other magical effects, such as magic missile and charm person, that target a creature or an object in the sphere have no effect on that target.

Petrified is neither a Spell effect or a Magic effect, but a condition, similar to being grappled or exhausted.

If you wanted to remove petrification, you need to use a spell that specifically states it is capable of doing so. For example, the spell Greater Restoration:

You can reduce the target's exhaustion level by one, or end one of the following effects on the target:

  • One effect that charmed or petrified the target

However, when the effect is applied by a Beholders eye rays, it is considered magical:

Eye Rays. The beholder shoots three of the following magical eye rays at random

Therefore - magical petrification would be unable to affect a target within the sphere, and both the on-going saving throws & petrification condition itself would be supressed if the targets enter it while affected.

Does suppressing petrification stop the on-going petrification effect?

If the petrification is considered magical, it will be suppressed, both by Antimagic field & the Beholders own Anti-magic eye cone.

On a failed save, the creature begins to turn to stone and is restrained. It must repeat the saving throw at the end of its next turn. On a success, the effect ends.

If the effect is suppressed, the target doesn't make a saving throw, but it also states that the effect is only ended on a success. Therefore the effect continues until the target succeeds on a saving throw.