Can somebody tell me what Wraithstrike does?

[Pyrex]

Well, it does. But the entry is poorly worded.

Damage reduction does not negate touch attacks, energy damage dealt along with an attack, or energy drains.

The semantics of that sentence (and the rest of the paragraph) is what has spawned the 4+ pages of debate.

 

[wildstarsreach]

Well, I just thought that's what was decided I guess. I also hadn't noticed the poll that was open about it, but did just now! I guess you're referring to the part about the "damage reduction does not negate touch attacks" part?

Edit: The DMG doesn't say that touch attacks bypass DR, does it?

Look under RAW, it's under damage reduction, not touch attacks.

 

[Mistwell]

There is not "consensus" on either the issue of Wraithstrike being overpowered in general, or touch attacks bypassing DR, as debates continue on both issues.

This thread asked what the spell was about. That question was answered. Do we really need to drag two other debates, each of which have their own threads already on this front page (ane in on case TWO such threads) into yet another thread?

 

[tylermalan]

There is not "consensus" on either the issue of Wraithstrike being overpowered in general, or touch attacks bypassing DR, as debates continue on both issues.

This thread asked what the spell was about. That question was answered. Do we really need to drag two other debates, each of which have their own threads already on this front page (ane in on case TWO such threads) into yet another thread?

I don't think we're really doing that. But, if you think we are and you don't want to be involved, ignore this thread. Those are more debates - this is more of a discussion.

 

[tylermalan]

Well, it does. But the entry is poorly worded.

The semantics of that sentence (and the rest of the paragraph) is what has spawned the 4+ pages of debate.

That doesn't say "Touch attacks bypass DR" though. I agree that its poorly worded, though. I would just think that if "DR does not negate bla bla bla" meant "Bla bla bla all bypass DR" then it would say that.

 

[Nifft]

It's my humble opinion that the touch attacks referred to in the DR entry are attacks named touch, like those a wraith makes, since those attacks otherwise have no damage type, and since wraiths (and similar) cannot ever get Power Attack or a Strength bonus, and thus would otherwise be easily thwarted by minor DR.

The "touch attack" feats in the SRD are fairly clear that you only get to resolve your attack as a touch attack (not your attack and damage, and certainly not "your attack becomes a touch attack").

Cheers, -- N

 

[Piratecat]

Do we really need to drag two other debates, each of which have their own threads already on this front page (ane in on case TWO such threads) into yet another thread?

If someone is tired of the subject, it may be easiest for them to stay out of the thread. The threads are dissimilar enough that I don't think they need merging.

 

[tylermalan]

It's my humble opinion that the touch attacks referred to in the DR entry are attacks named touch, like those a wraith makes, since those attacks otherwise have no damage type, and since wraiths (and similar) cannot ever get Power Attack or a Strength bonus, and thus would otherwise be easily thwarted by minor DR.

The "touch attack" feats in the SRD are fairly clear that you only get to resolve your attack as a touch attack (not your attack and damage, and certainly not "your attack becomes a touch attack").

Cheers, -- N

That's a very good point. Does Wraithstrike say "Your attacks become touch attacks"? Or does it say something like "You can make your melee attacks as though they were touch attacks"?

 

[Thanee]

...are resolved as melee touch attacks...

Bye
Thanee

 

[KarinsDad]

That's a very good point. Does Wraithstrike say "Your attacks become touch attacks"? Or does it say something like "You can make your melee attacks as though they were touch attacks"?

It doesn't matter whether it is written one way or the other.

If one's attacks are touch attacks, he gains all of the advantages of touch attacks (e.g. ignoring armor bonuses) unless explicitly limited, not just some of the advantages. Any other interpretation is a semantics nightmare that would make other solid rules questionable.