Does DR apply to subdual?

[Hypersmurf]

Check the PHB glossary.

And don't forget to add his "shield bonus" while you're at it.

The glossary is a quick reference - it doesn't always give complete information. It's often necessary to check the relevant section for full details.

Example: Take 10 and Take 20. They're defined in the glossary, but to fully understand how they work, you need to look them up in the main section of the PHB.

In similar fashion, the glossary gives a quick overview of DR, but if you want to understand how it works, you read the DMG.

-Hyp.

 

[CRGreathouse]

Sorry kreynolds... I'm with Hypersmurf on this one. I think it was intended as DR, and I think that's hopw the rules read. I don't think it's supposed to prevent damage from attacks that bypass DR.

 

[LokiDR]

Barbarians get DR. DR is further explained in the DMG. The DMG says DR does not stop magical/elemental damage. So, barbarians don't stop magical damage. Unless there is something more than that, it seems a simple matter.

 

[Hypersmurf]

The DMG says DR does not stop magical/elemental damage. So, barbarians don't stop magical damage.

And if anyone should know, it's the guy they call "Mister DR"...

-Hyp.

 

[kreynolds]

Barbarians get DR. DR is further explained in the DMG. The DMG says DR does not stop magical/elemental damage. So, barbarians don't stop magical damage. Unless there is something more than that, it seems a simple matter.

That used to be my exact argument too.

 

[Spatzimaus]

Personally, I think the Barbarian's ability SHOULD be more like Hardness, deducting from magical attacks as well, but the way the rules are right now, it's just normal DR that doesn't have a "bypass" clause like "unless the guy has a +1 sword".

Reason I say "should" is that the DR ability they have now just seems a bit too weak. But that's just my opinion.

 

[Arcturus_Rugend]

Reason I say "should" is that the DR ability they have now just seems a bit too weak. But that's just my opinion.

Apparently the game designers agree with you, because the barbarian's DR is getting a bit of a boost in 3.5. The radio interview with Ed Stark posted on the WOTC site is long, but it's got all kinds of good 3.5 info, including the mention of barbarian's DR.

(edit: wrong quote... oops!)

 

[LokiDR]

Personally, I think the Barbarian's ability SHOULD be more like Hardness, deducting from magical attacks as well, but the way the rules are right now, it's just normal DR that doesn't have a "bypass" clause like "unless the guy has a +1 sword".

Reason I say "should" is that the DR ability they have now just seems a bit too weak. But that's just my opinion.

If we want to ask what SHOULD be, that is whole different arguement. I would like to see barbarians get DR vs spells. But if you do that currently, it is a house rule.

 

[Spatzimaus]

I would like to see barbarians get DR vs spells. But if you do that currently, it is a house rule.

I know, which is why I was careful to say "should". To me, it just makes more sense in the context of the class; you're ignoring damage, so it shouldn't matter where the damage comes from. But, this is entirely a house rule to change.

Arcturus: yes, I saw that, and I'm glad, but I wish they had done something other than just increase amounts/move up levels. Don't get me wrong, 1/- at 7th level up to 5/- at 19th (which to me implies +1/- every 3 levels) is nice. But, there's that Feat (From Song & Silence, called "roll with it" or something) that gives DR 2/-, so it's still an ability a Fighter can match.
Barbarians are just one of those classes that IMO needs a rework to make them more flexible, so that they're not so inferior to a Fighter/X multiclass that picked certain Feats. (See also: Monk, Ranger, Paladin, Bard).

 

[kreynolds]

If we want to ask what SHOULD be, that is whole different arguement. I would like to see barbarians get DR vs spells. But if you do that currently, it is a house rule.

Depends on who you ask. From CS (big grain o' salt!)...

Does a barbarian's DR help against energy attacks and spells? The glossary in the PH says "Barbarians have damage reduction as a class feature, but theirs is a special type that negates set amount from any source."

Does "any source" just mean magic weapons? Or does it also include spells and energy attacks?

Thanks for your help.

From: Wizards Customer Service [mailto:custserv@wizards.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 09, 2003 6:18 PM
To: Reynolds,Kelly
Subject: RE: barbarian DR


Yes, the damage reduction applies to magic weapons.

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But does it also apply to spells and energy attacks?

From: Wizards Customer Service
To: Reynolds,Kelly
Sent: 1/15/03 4:02 PM
Subject: RE: barbarian DR

Damage reduction applies to any attacks that cause damage to the character, including most spells that cause damage.

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Darrin
Wizards of the Coast - Game Support
Website: http://www.wizards.com <http://www.wizards.com/>
Game Support E-Mail: custserv@wizards.com
Game Support Phone: 1-800-324-6496
Monday through Friday, 9 AM - 7 PM PST
Corporate Phone: (425) 226-6500
Online Store Phone: 1-800-250-7589
Online Store Email: ordersup@wizards.com
Please quote this e-mail in any reply.
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