Calling AU Experts: Mind Blade vs. DR/Magic

[Calico_Jack73]

In my current group we are preparing to play Arcana Unearthed (AU) and recently I've run into a rules dispute with my DM and I just wanted to see what the rest of the ENWorld community thought. I am playing a Mind Witch and I'll be starting with the Mind Blade ability. For the uninitiated it is a "Witchery Manifestation" and it does d6+level in Subdual damage and only requires a touch attack for it's effect. The dispute revolves around 3.5 Damage Reduction (DR). It is my opinion that the Mind Blade should be able to overcome DR: -/Magic but my DM feels that it should not. My stance is based on the fact that it is a magical manifestation (appears out of thin air) and is a touch attack similar to Chill Touch and Shocking Grasp. What would your call be on this?

 

[CronoDekar]

I certainly think it should ignore all DR since it's a direct magical effect -- heck, even Spiritual Weapon does. It is the DM's game, though, and if you can't change his mind I'd just let it go unless you think this will become a significant problem.

 

[Calico_Jack73]

I think the reason it'll bug me is that I plan on playing an X-Men Psylocke type character and I want my Mind Blade to be a viable weapon throughout the campaign, not just at early levels before things get DR.

 

[Lonely Tylenol]

It's pretty clear that the mind blade does not do slashing, piercing, or bludgeoning damage. It's made of "psionic energy" and it requires a touch attack. Its damage doesn't depend on the size of the blade, but rather on the level of the user. It is a supernatural ability to create it.

These things say to me "magical effect", and magical effects are not subject to damage reduction, no matter how sword-like they may look.

 

[Rel]

I think I'd ask the GM if he intended that Psionics in general not to be able to overcome the DR/Magic. I would also point him to the Mind Stab spell which is nearly identical to the Mind Blade except for the range. If he won't relent and you feel it is crucial to your character concept, ask if you can take a feat that will allow you to "Enchant" your Mind Blade in the same way that an Oathsworn could get his hands enchanted with the "Hands as Weapons" feat.

If none of that works then you could do what I did and take Mind Stab as a Signature Spell and cast it all day long as a 0 Level spell. It is especially fun when you add in Modify Spell and start doubling the number of targets effected!