Damaging Items with [light]

[isoChron]

Hi !
We had a situation with someone losing his hand due to an extreme light. DM ruled it is damage similar to sunbeam. Items like ring or gloves got a save, but how many damage should they take ?

How many damage does a (magic) item take if it is hit by a spell that causes [light]-damage (such as sunbeam/sunburst).

Full damage like [acid]/[sonic],
Half damage like [fire]/[electricity],
or quarter damage like [cold].

Does hardness apply ?

Thanks for your input.

PS: Why doesn't Searing Light has a [light]-descriptor ???

 

[the Jester]

Good question!

I would prolly rule half-damage, like most energy forms. And I'd allow hardness to apply. But that's my ruling; I don't think there is a solid by the book answer.

 

[jerichothebard]

PS: Why doesn't Searing Light has a [light]-descriptor ???

It does in my game! It's probably just an oversight on the designer's part, though it's been missed in how many revisions/erratas now?

 

[isoChron]

OK, thanks for the input.

We handled it like fire damage on the fly, but I wanted to make sure there is no rule for it yet.

And we make Searing Light a [light] spell by house rule next session.

BTW is there any [darkness] spell that does damage ? It would be certainly harder to equal darkness to an energy form. Light and fire are close by but darkness ... hmmm, cold maybe.

BYE

 

[jerichothebard]

OK, thanks for the input.

We handled it like fire damage on the fly, but I wanted to make sure there is no rule for it yet.

And we make Searing Light a [light] spell by house rule next session.

BTW is there any [darkness] spell that does damage ? It would be certainly harder to equal darkness to an energy form. Light and fire are close by but darkness ... hmmm, cold maybe.

BYE

Not in the PHB, no. There are only two darkness spells, darkness and deeper darkness.