Holy, Sacred, Divine

[smootrk]

Are Holy, Sacred, & Divine all the same, or are they different damage/bonus types? If they are different, is there a series of explanations of the difference between them somewhere in the rules (probably in a supplement book)?

The question also applies to the evil twins of the types listed (Unholy, Vile).

 

[Kurotowa]

Are Holy, Sacred, & Divine all the same, or are they different damage/bonus types? If they are different, is there a series of explanations of the difference between them somewhere in the rules (probably in a supplement book)?

The question also applies to the evil twins of the types listed (Unholy, Vile).

The three are different. Holy is in the DMG/SRD, Sacred is in the Libris Mortis, and IIRC Divine is in the BoED. Vile I know is in BoVD, not as sure about Unholy although I assume it's a mirror of Holy.

 

[smootrk]

But, what is the difference between Holy and Sacred? The actual terms are rather interchangable. Divine I might understand as power directly from deities, but that meaning can imply Holy/Unholy per the deity's particular ideological slant.

Is there a book entry (or an errata or FAQ) that addresses the details of each/all collectively to clear up the distinctions?

 

[Man in the Funny Hat]

But, what is the difference between Holy and Sacred? The actual terms are rather interchangable. Divine I might understand as power directly from deities, but that meaning can imply Holy/Unholy per the deity's particular ideological slant.

Is there a book entry (or an errata or FAQ) that addresses the details of each/all collectively to clear up the distinctions?

No need for a FAQ entry. They are differently named bonuses so that they stack. If they were all Holy bonuses then the player would have to choose just one of them and that would render a lot of the stuff found in rules supplements rather useless. In short, it's strictly for power-gaming/munchkin reasons.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Divine damage is arguably in the PH under the guise of flame strike.

 

[Cabral]

I think Holy and Divine are types of magic, usually you are dealing with on or the other.
Holy and Unholy are good and evil versions of the same thing.
Divine is also a type of feat and a type of magic.
I'm not sure of Libris Mortis's use of Sacred as I don't have that book.
If a divine source grants a bonus it's usually sacred (good) or profane (evil)

I believe Book of Exalted Deeds and Book of Vile Darkness add some other discriptors/bonuses.

 

[diaglo]

Sacred is also in the Book of Exalted Deeds as an Armor bonus (+2 cost if you are wondering). gives you a +2 turn/rebuke level check

 

[Kwitchit]

Holy and Sacred boni are named differently so they stack. A Divine bonus is one you get from being a god.

 

[Kurotowa]

But, what is the difference between Holy and Sacred? The actual terms are rather interchangable. Divine I might understand as power directly from deities, but that meaning can imply Holy/Unholy per the deity's particular ideological slant.

Holy is a weapon enhancement that's effectively Evil Bane and costs +2. Sacred is similar but only adds against undead and evil outsiders for a cost of +1.

 

[Menexenus]

Holy and Sacred boni are named differently so they stack. A Divine bonus is one you get from being a god.

Huh! That's funny. I never thought of the plural of "bonus" as "boni" (although that makes perfect sense).