Bypassing Natural Armor ?

[Alpha Polaris]

Dungeon Master of Slaads, stay out.

I play in a campaign where we've got to waste Slaads on a regular basis. Being the scaly vilains that they are, they often have a moderately high natural armor (8 to 12, from what I've seen), which makes them a bit tough for us, since we're an unoptimized group of poorly equiped lunatics with the strategic skill of a broken teapot (casual gaming, some of the gamers have a pretty thin understanding of the rules, so...). The team is level 8 and consists of a (melee) cleric, a wizard/cleric/true necromancer, a bard/warchanter and a ranger (archery path). You're right, no tank there, but the necromancer's minions more than make up for that (ever seen a blue slaad skeleton animated on a desecrated altar by a top specialist necromancer ? Believe me, it's scary).

So there comes the question. Is there a cheap way to bypass or reduce natural armor with ranged or melee attacks ? A (couple of) spell(s) from WOTC supplements would be great, but non trivial tactics are also welcome. I saw a feat, but feats are rare, forgoing an action to bypass DR on one attack means there's a huge DR to bypass or you won't use it.

Additionally, there's a possibility for us to take Leadership next level, what kind of suggestions would you make ?

 

[shilsen]

Touch attacks, whether melee or ranged, bypass natural armor. So do Brilliant Energy weapons.

 

[Jack Simth]

Touch attacks, whether melee or ranged, bypass natural armor. So do Brilliant Energy weapons.

Umm... Brilliant Energy doesn't bypass natural armor:

Brilliant Energy: A brilliant energy weapon has its significant portion transformed into light, although this does not modify the item’s weight. It always gives off light as a torch (20-foot radius). A brilliant energy weapon ignores nonliving matter. Armor bonuses to AC (including any enhancement bonuses to that armor) do not count against it because the weapon passes through armor. (Dexterity, deflection, dodge, natural armor, and other such bonuses still apply.) A brilliant energy weapon cannot harm undead, constructs, and objects. This property can only be applied to melee weapons, thrown weapons, and ammunition.

Strong transmutation; CL 16th; Craft Magic Arms and Armor, gaseous form, continual flame; Price +4 bonus.

(Emphasis added)

 

[Shin Okada]

Touch spells (both melee and ranged) bypass natural armor. But as Slaadi have very good energy immunities and resistances, energy spells are not that much useful. Still, Scorching Ray or Lessor Orb of XXX (not sonic) may inflict some amount of damages against slaad. Cleric's non-energy spells such as Deific Vengeance (Complete Adventurer) or Sealing Light could do better, though.

Wraithstrike spell from Complete Adventurer turn's one's melee attacks in to touch attacks for a round. And it is a swift spell. But it is a "Assassin 2, Sorcerer/Wizard 2" spell and thus only the True Necromancer can use it in your party.

Another approach is, to buy or make a bane weapon or two. That is just +1 worth of enchantment. If you are to fight against slaadi for long period of time, Chaotic Outsider Bane weapons will be good investments.

 

[Nim]

If the cleric is a melee-cleric, then Inflict spells are an option. The Necromancer probably has Enervation. Also, Dismissal.

 

[Alpha Polaris]

Thank you all for your inputs. This will add some variety to our arsenal.

If the cleric is a melee-cleric, then Inflict spells are an option. The Necromancer probably has Enervation. Also, Dismissal.

The inflict spells are nice, we never used them but it's a nice touch. Too bad you can't dual wield wands of "inflict moderate wounds" . The necromancer has enervation and shivering touch, and plans on using them quite a bit. Last, but not least, the party cleric will be quite happy about Dismissal: he never used it, so I guess he didn't notice how usefull it could ben especially versus the Slaadis' crappy will save.

 

[moritheil]

So there comes the question. Is there a cheap way to bypass or reduce natural armor with ranged or melee attacks ? A (couple of) spell(s) from WOTC supplements would be great, but non trivial tactics are also welcome. I saw a feat, but feats are rare, forgoing an action to bypass DR on one attack means there's a huge DR to bypass or you won't use it.

Invest five levels in Master Thrower, which enables you to make your thrown attacks as ranged touch attacks.

Not helpful, I guess, but it's something I'm throwing in for completeness.

 

[shilsen]

Umm... Brilliant Energy doesn't bypass natural armor:

Whoops! That'll teach me to post 5 minutes before going to bed. THanks for the correction.

 

[Caliban]

It's all about Force Orb.

 

[Shin Okada]

It's all about Force Orb.

Right. But that is a 4th-level spell and the True Necromancer (now in 8th-level) need 3 more levels to cast it.