Creatures with Damage Reduction #/Adamantine

[Creamsteak]

So, does the special materials rule still apply to what kind of damage reduction a creature can pierce? I was just thinking about how creatues with damage reduction of #/magic pierce magic damage reduction by default, but what about golems? How is it that an Iron or Stone golem can pierce DR of adamantine? It follows the rules, I think, but it still seems out of place.

 

[James McMurray]

Only the magic part of DR counts for natural weaponry. Creatures with DR /silver don't count as silver weapons, creatures with DR /Good or Cold Iron don't count as good or cold iron weapons, etc.

In other words, a Stone Golem cannot bypass DR of x/adamantine unless someone hands him an adamantine weapon an commands him to use it.

 

[UltimaGabe]

Only the magic part of DR counts for natural weaponry. Creatures with DR /silver don't count as silver weapons, creatures with DR /Good or Cold Iron don't count as good or cold iron weapons, etc.

In other words, a Stone Golem cannot bypass DR of x/adamantine unless someone hands him an adamantine weapon an commands him to use it.

Actually, I believe that they are still able to pierce whatever kind of Damage Reduction that they have. Damage Reduction of alignments, though, act oppositely- someone with 5/Good can overcome 5/Evil DR.

I think it makes sense that Golems can damage reduction of #/Adamantine can penetrate the same kind of Damage Reduction. Adamantine ignores the first 40 points of hardness of an object it strikes, if I'm not mistaken- which is the same hardness that Adamantine itself has. So, in effect, Adamantine is so strong that only it can pierce through itself. Golems are treated with so much magic that they are, effectively, practically made of Adamantine- hence they can only be damaged by Adamantine, and they themselves damage Adamantine as well.

 

[Creamsteak]

Thanks JM. That makes much more sense than what I had in mind. Except perhaps an adamantine or mithril construct, I guess creatures using natural attacks can't bypass material based DR.

Edit: So we have another opinion...

Well, whats the SRD say on this? Just x/Magic applies?

 

[Grazzt]

Actually, I believe that they are still able to pierce whatever kind of Damage Reduction that they have. Damage Reduction of alignments, though, act oppositely- someone with 5/Good can overcome 5/Evil DR.

I gotta agree with James above. If golems could pierce adamantine, I believe it would say it in their combat line (just like it does for demons, devils, and so on).

The alignment DR doesnt really work opposite, its based off the monster's alignment and subtype(s) (which is usually opposite, so.... ).

 

[Plane Sailing]

Actually, I believe that they are still able to pierce whatever kind of Damage Reduction that they have.

I'm afraid your belief is wrong in this case though. MMp307 spells it out. It specifies that DR/magic and DR/epic can be piereced by natural weapons of those creatures that possess it, and that creatures with an alignment subtype can overcome that alignment DR as if its natural weapons and wielded weapons had those subtype(s).

This does not apply to DR/adamantine, slashing, bludgeoning, silver, cold iron etc.

Cheers

 

[Grazzt]

I'm afraid your belief is wrong in this case though. MMp307 spells it out. It specifies that DR/magic and DR/epic can be piereced by natural weapons of those creatures that possess it, and that creatures with an alignment subtype can overcome that alignment DR as if its natural weapons and wielded weapons had those subtype(s).

This does not apply to DR/adamantine, slashing, bludgeoning, silver, cold iron etc.

Cheers

And there we go....thanks Plane-