Question on holy and unholy damage

[Grog]

Is it true that holy damage will never hurt someone who's non-evil, and unholy damage will likewise never hurt someone who's non-good? Or does this only apply to certain sources of holy and unholy damage, like weapon enhancements?

Is there a definitive rule on this?

 

[Ivellious]

Holy will only hurt evil, and unholy will only hurt good. That's the ruling

 

[3d6]

Can you provide an example of an effect that deals "holy damage"?

 

[Grog]

Can you provide an example of an effect that deals "holy damage"?

The best example is probably the Holy weapon enchantment in the DMG.

 

[Elethiomel]

The best example is probably the Holy weapon enchantment in the DMG.

It deals an extra 2d6 points of damage against all of evil alignment.

It doesn't say this is damage type: Holy. I would assume it is the same damage type that the weapon otherwise deals.

 

[lottrbacchus]

true that it doesn't say "it deals an extra 2d6 of holy damage", as it does in other descriptions, but the effect is called holy. also, it explicitly says the damage is "against all of evil alignment".

to me, this is enough to say that "holy" damage only damages evil. and i'm not being sarcastic, because this seems to be distinct from "good". holy smite is a "good" spell but also damages neutral alignments.

 

[Joker]

Can you provide an example of an effect that deals "holy damage"?

Paladins in World of Warcraft .

 

[Elethiomel]

true that it doesn't say "it deals an extra 2d6 of holy damage", as it does in other descriptions, but the effect is called holy. also, it explicitly says the damage is "against all of evil alignment".

to me, this is enough to say that "holy" damage only damages evil. and i'm not being sarcastic, because this seems to be distinct from "good". holy smite is a "good" spell but also damages neutral alignments.

Well, you may assume that the Holy weapon enhancment introduces an entirely new damage type that isn't described anywhere else if you want to - it's your game. However, note that it changes game balance if you allow this damage to go through DR of all evil creatures regardless of whether they have additional DR like high CR demons and devils needing a material in addition to weapon alignment.

 

[Vraille Darkfang]

to me, this is enough to say that "holy" damage only damages evil. and i'm not being sarcastic, because this seems to be distinct from "good". holy smite is a "good" spell but also damages neutral alignments.

Flamestrike does 1/2 of its damage as Holy Damage.

As it is on the Druid's List I'd take that to mean Holy is simply a quatifier to add to the Damage for ovecoming DR Purposes.

 

[Elethiomel]

Flamestrike does 1/2 of its damage as Holy Damage.

No, it doesn't. Half its damage "results directly from divine power". It doesn't say this divine damage is of type "Holy".