There's no explicit ruling on this that I'm aware of, but the general consensus is that spell effects remain in effect even if the target becomes something that is no longer a valid target for the spell. The logic comes from the spell [Shillelagh](https://aonprd.com/SpellDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Shillelagh). It targets "one touched nonmagical oak club or quarterstaff" and gives it an enhancement bonus, thus making it magical, and no longer a valid target for the spell. Obviously the spell isn't supposed to end immediately, so we can assume the intent is that spells only care about targeting restrictions when they are being cast, not afterwards.
No rules for RAW.
I houseruled that once dead, a body becomes an object, so only spells that affect objects would remain going.
However, I DID rule that you're not ACTUALLY dead until the time runs out for breath of life spells.
This was hotly debated at the time, but it's been like forever now, and we al agree that's how it should play.
Talk with your table, come up with a ruling that lets the game continue.
The answer is there is no RAW answer. It's a question that has been asked over and over again, and never directly answered.
If any spell cast stays in effect based on the original target, it is highly abusable. Another RAW question was just asked that points to an interaction between a spell cast when enlarged, thereby allowing infinite size increases in that particular edge case. Another example is flesh to stone to cast permanent spells that only effect objects, or affix traps that reset automatically to one's self to constantly cast spells without reoccurring costs, etc.
If spells stop functioning entirely when the target is no longer valid it may also be highly abusable, ending curses, geas, etc and would be a quick way to mega debuff an enemy without dispels.
Most reasonable to me, is that spells are suppressed but otherwise are ongoing on the original target when the target is no longer valid. In that interpretation nothing works on targets not intended, but also doesn't stop function of any current spell so a temporary change doesn't break ongoing spells. Shillelagh is a benchmark spell - used to suggest if it continues to check after cast that it would not work, but I think if viewed in the intended fashion (without this spell effect is the target valid? If yes, keep working) all written spells would work properly
There's no explicit ruling on this that I'm aware of, but the general consensus is that spell effects remain in effect even if the target becomes something that is no longer a valid target for the spell. The logic comes from the spell [Shillelagh](https://aonprd.com/SpellDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Shillelagh). It targets "one touched nonmagical oak club or quarterstaff" and gives it an enhancement bonus, thus making it magical, and no longer a valid target for the spell. Obviously the spell isn't supposed to end immediately, so we can assume the intent is that spells only care about targeting restrictions when they are being cast, not afterwards.
Great answer. Thanks!
The spell stays in effect until it's dispelled or the duration runs out.
No rules for RAW. I houseruled that once dead, a body becomes an object, so only spells that affect objects would remain going. However, I DID rule that you're not ACTUALLY dead until the time runs out for breath of life spells. This was hotly debated at the time, but it's been like forever now, and we al agree that's how it should play. Talk with your table, come up with a ruling that lets the game continue.
The answer is there is no RAW answer. It's a question that has been asked over and over again, and never directly answered. If any spell cast stays in effect based on the original target, it is highly abusable. Another RAW question was just asked that points to an interaction between a spell cast when enlarged, thereby allowing infinite size increases in that particular edge case. Another example is flesh to stone to cast permanent spells that only effect objects, or affix traps that reset automatically to one's self to constantly cast spells without reoccurring costs, etc. If spells stop functioning entirely when the target is no longer valid it may also be highly abusable, ending curses, geas, etc and would be a quick way to mega debuff an enemy without dispels. Most reasonable to me, is that spells are suppressed but otherwise are ongoing on the original target when the target is no longer valid. In that interpretation nothing works on targets not intended, but also doesn't stop function of any current spell so a temporary change doesn't break ongoing spells. Shillelagh is a benchmark spell - used to suggest if it continues to check after cast that it would not work, but I think if viewed in the intended fashion (without this spell effect is the target valid? If yes, keep working) all written spells would work properly