Barbarian Damage Reduction ability

[Darius]

I'm 99% sure I know the answer to this question, due to the wording in the DMG on it, but reading the PHB has caused me some constrenation .

The barb's DR is something like 1/-, up to 4/-. Like all damage reduction, I automatically assumed this did NOT protect you against spells (energy attacks). But... reading the glossary in the PHB for more details, page 277, it states how DR works. It then says it doesnt work against energy attacks. THEN, it says "theirs is a special type that negates a set amount of damage from any source." This is directly after saying normal dr doesnt protect against spells, so it *really* seems like they are refering to the spells, and not the plus on a weapon.

Should I just go with my feelings (and the DMG's 2 part description that seems to say it doesnt work against them)? I checked the FAQ's and erratas to no avail.

Normally, as a DM, I would say 4 damage off a fireball or something isnt to terribly strong at level 20, but when you start looking at the epic feats, it can be argued that the epic DR that stacks with the barbarian one, would work the same way. Once your characters start being able to shrug off 20+ damage from "any source" as the PHB says, things start to seem a little overpowered.

Thanks!

 

[Crothian]

DR is only against melee and ranged attacks. The different types of energy resistance is what protects on against the energy sources. There are many places in the PHB that are not written that clearly.

 

[Darklone]

Yeah the barbarian DR sucks.

 

[Dr_Rictus]

I believe that "any source" in this case just means that there is no type of weapon that overcomes the DR.

 

[Crothian]

Yeah the barbarian DR sucks.

It doesn't suck, it really helps with them not needing healing as often and can keep thwem alive an extra round or two.

 

[Archer]

I always read it as negates damage from any source (including spells) and for a rare high level ability it isn't too powerful. Even at epic levels when it gets to be 20/- elemental resistances are between 30 and infinity and reductions don't stack so the 20 damage reduction vs. spells comes into play only rarely such as when you save vs. finger of death or horrid wilting.

 

[kreynolds]

I always read it as negates damage from any source (including spells)...

From the SRD...

Magical attacks and energy attacks (even mundane fire) ignore damage reduction.

It's still DR. The only differences between a barbarian's DR and standard DR is that a barbarian's DR can't be overcome by a weapon's enhancement bonus, and a barbarian's DR does not grant him the ability to bypass another creature's DR, not even another barbarian's DR.

 

[Endur]

DR & Hardness

Its a pity they didn't name the Barbarian's ability as "Hardness". It would make sense and in that case, it would apply against all energy attacks.

But, since they call it DR, it doesn't apply against energy attacks.

 

[kreynolds]

Calling it hardness wouldn't make sense though. If anything, hardness represents molecular density, though it may be subject to more or less damage, depending upon the type of attack (such as wood taking more damage from fire, despite its hardness). Barbarian's are just tough.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Re: DR & Hardness

Its a pity they didn't name the Barbarian's ability as "Hardness". It would make sense and in that case, it would apply against all energy attacks.

Heh.

At 11th level, the barbarian becomes an Object. His type changes to 'construct', his Intelligence and Constitution scores become --, and he gains Hardness 1.

Construct: Immune to mind-influencing effects, poison, disease, and similar effects. Not subject to critical hits, subdual damage, ability damage, energy drain, or death from massive damage.

Most of the barbarians I've known, that Int -- wouldn't make a noticeable difference...