Fortification vs. Brilliant Energy

[BlackSeed_Vash]

Basic run down,
Combatant A is wearing Fortification armor
Combatant B is using a Brilliant Energy Weapon

If B attacks and hits A; and should deal sneak attack and/or crit, which enchantment will overcome the other?

IMO I feel that Brilliant Energy will easily overcome Light Fortification (+1); most likely overcome Moderate Fortification (+3); and might overcome Heavy Fortification (+5).

 

[Artoomis]

It really, really helps to start with the rules:

Brilliant Energy
A brilliant energy weapon has its significant portion transformed into light, although this does not modify the item’s weight. It always gives off light as a torch (20-foot radius). A brilliant energy weapon ignores nonliving matter. Armor and shield bonuses to AC (including any enhancement bonuses to that armor) do not count against it because the weapon passes through armor. (Dexterity, deflection, dodge, natural armor, and other such bonuses still apply.) A brilliant energy weapon cannot harm undead, constructs, and objects. This property can only be applied to melee weapons, thrown weapons, and ammunition.

Strong transmutation; CL 16th; Craft Magic Arms and Armor, gaseous form, continual flame; Price +4 bonus.

Fortification
This suit of armor or shield produces a magical force that protects vital areas of the wearer more effectively. When a critical hit or sneak attack is scored on the wearer, there is a chance that the critical hit or sneak attack is negated and damage is instead rolled normally.

Fortification Type  Chance for Normal Damage   Base Price Modifier 
	Light			25%			+1 bonus 
	Moderate		75%			+3 bonus 
	Heavy			100%			+5 bonus

 

[Artoomis]

Now that the rules are posted we can see that Brilliant Energy will not overcome the "magical force" that gives the fortification effect.

 

[Sejs]

Fortification armor protects the wearer's vitals by a nebulous unspecified magical force. Brilliant energy armor ignores non-living material. Nebulous magical force is not material, living or non-, hence a BE weapon does not interfere with the operation of fortification armor.

Furthermore, it tacks to the principle of Keeping It Simple. Allowing a BE weapon to be a secondary bypass to allow sneak attacks and crits despite protections starts to get complicated.

 

[Caliban]

Basic run down,
Combatant A is wearing Fortification armor
Combatant B is using a Brilliant Energy Weapon

If B attacks and hits A; and should deal sneak attack and/or crit, which enchantment will overcome the other?

IMO I feel that Brilliant Energy will easily overcome Light Fortification (+1); most likely overcome Moderate Fortification (+3); and might overcome Heavy Fortification (+5).

I'd say that it has a 75% chance of overcoming Light Fortification, a 25% chance of overcoming Moderate Fortification, and a 0% chance of overcoming Heavy Fortification.

 

[Stalker0]

By the book, BE won't do a thing to fortification.

But on the other hand, BE bypasses bracers of armor as easily as it does regular old plate armor....so I see no problem with letting it bypass "nebulous magical force"

 

[Hypersmurf]

But on the other hand, BE bypasses bracers of armor as easily as it does regular old plate armor....

Well, it bypasses the armor and shield bonuses of bracers of armor as easily as it does the armor and shield bonuses of regular old plate armor...

-Hyp.

 

[mvincent]

I'd say that the rules don't specifically address this situation, so individual DM's can decide as they see fit. I personally would have BE bypass fortification (not because RAW supports it, but because it feels intuitive to me).

 

[Rystil Arden]

I'd say that the rules don't specifically address this situation, so individual DM's can decide as they see fit. I personally would have BE bypass fortification (not because RAW supports it, but because it feels intuitive to me).

I might actually rule this way as a houserule just to make Heavy Fortification less overwhelming, but it is clear that the RAW does not state this. Similarly, by RAW, Armour of Fire Resistance works against Flaming Brilliant Energy swords or Scorching Rays, both of which ignore the armour's Armour Bonus.