Why not rangers and paladins?

[Halaster Blackcloak]

In the 1E PHB, under the chaos spell, it says:

"Only fighters other than paladins or rangers and illusionists are able to combat the spell effects and are thus allowed a saving throw."

Why not? I don't get it. The chaos spell is almost identical to the confusion spell. Why would paladins and rangers not be able to resist such a spell? Can't be an alignment thing. I was thinking about paladins being lawful and the spell having a chaos effect, but how does that work for a ranger who can be chaotic?

Hmmm.

[Mira]

Pretty much the same sort of description is in the 2E version. The impression I get is that anyone with magic ability is more susceptible, only specialists in that area (ie illusionists) get to save, and dumb fighters, who can't use magic. Thieves get to use scrolls at higher levels, but fighters can't ever do it. They are pretty much the only class that will never have any magic use (other than items).

Whether or not that makes sense is a different story I would rather it be intelligence/wisdom based, and only if your int and wis are stupidly low would you get a save. or if you were experienced with that sort of magic. The stupid simply wouldn't understand what was supposed to be chaotic about it

Mira (The things that come to those that wait may be the things left by those who got there first)

[garhkal]

As someone who had to argue this spell with several gamers in England, that was my take too.. Illusionists as the ones CASTING the Chaos spell, would more than likely make it where others of their ilk get a save. Its main use is to take out other casting types.. So rangers/paladins do count as casters. Straight fighters (and thieves) don't..