[RPG] Does upcasting bypass Limited Magic Immunity

dnd-5eimmunitiesspells

Limited Magic Immunity says

The rakshasa is immune to spells of 6th level or lower unless it wishes to be affected. It has advantage on saving throws against all other spells and magical effects.

Does this take the base level of the spell or the level of the spell on casting?

Take note of this text from the Player's Handbook:

When a spellcaster casts a spell using a slot that is of a higher level than the spell, the spell assumes the higher level for that casting.

Best Answer

Upcasting does indeed bypass limited magic immunity

When a spellcaster casts a spell using a slot that is of a higher level than the spell, the spell assumes the higher level for that casting. (PHB p.201)

The general rule is that a spell cast using a higher level spell slot is actually that level spell for that casting for all relevant effects. There is no base level and upcast level. A spell is the level it is cast at.

There is no indication in limited magic immunity that the ability is meant to block spells cast with a higher spell slot. Allowing it do do so would be granting it an ability that it does not have as written.

Compare that to the Globe of Invulnerability which says:

Any spell of 5th level or lower cast from outside the barrier can't affect creatures or Objects within it, even if the spell is cast using a higher level spell slot.

This item has a specific rule that overrides the general rule about spells cast with higher level slots. The rakshasa's ability does not.


Jeremy Crawford has answered a similar question about the wizard evocation ability overchannel and come to the same conclusion:

Q: Can I use Overchannel to cast 3rd level spell fireball using a 7th level slot? Seems to read that way.

A: It won't work, since that fireball is 7th level. The level of a spell matches the level of the slot used to cast it (PH, 201).

Since overchannel only works on up to 5th level spells, a 7th level fireball does not qualify since it is actually a 7th level spell when it is cast.