D&D (2024) How will the 2024 rules do with monster resistances to P/B/S

[ECMO3]

Based on what we have read so far there will be no more resistance or immunity to Piercing, Bludgeoning or Slashing from non-magic weapons.

That begs the question what are they going to replace this with and how are they going to align mechanics with thematics on Monsters such as Ghosts and Wights and Lycantheropes?

Are these creatures just going to be resistant/immune to all damage from those weapons? If so this is a huge nerf on the non-casters, especially considering Gish types can pick up Truestrike or in the case of Warlock POB and do Radiant, Psychic or Necrotic at will.

 

[Oofta]

Do we know they're getting rid of resistance? I can see getting rid of immunity, that's always been annoying.

 

[ECMO3]

Do we know they're getting rid of resistance? I can see getting rid of immunity, that's always been annoying.

My understanding is they are getting rid of the "non-magic" part of it. This is why the Monk's strikes are no longer considered magical at 6th level because this will not make any difference, things that are resistant/immune to bludgeoning will be resistant/immune to all bludgeoning, not just non-magic bludgeoning.

Because the Monk can now do Force damage this is not a big deal. But it still is a big deal for those that rely on Weapons, especially Rogues and Fighters.

 

[Oofta]

Hmm, we'll have to wait and see I guess. Unfortunately, the MM isn't coming out until next year.

 

[TwoSix]

I like that change. If a monster's anatomy is such that it's resistant to an entire class of physical damage, the fact that your blade has a minor enchantment of sharpening on it (which is essentially what I view a +1 sword as) shouldn't simply negate that.

I can't think of a monster that's thematically strengthened by being resistant to non-magic weapons only.

Of course, I might be biased because I've been ignoring that rule for monsters since 3e.

 

[Bayushi_seikuro]

I only did a quick google, because I didn't want to run down to my car, but... if what I saw online for 6th level monks is correct, it's not that their blows aren't magical - Empowered Strikes lets the monk choose to do either Force damage or their normal damage type.

Force damage would bypass the whole P/S/B issue

Correction: According to this D&D Beyond article, it's level 5 - https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1758-2024-monk-vs-2014-monk-whats-new

Edit: To quote directly from the article: "

Empowered Strike — Level 5​

With this new version of Ki-Empowered Strike, you can change the damage type of your Unarmed Strikes to Force damage. Handy for getting around those resistances"

 

[Bayushi_seikuro]

Actually, from the same article I quoted previously, I would assume PSB resistances still exist because of this text on Deflect Attacks:

Deflect Attacks — Level 3​

Formerly Deflect Missiles, as the name might suggest, Deflect Attacks now has much more usability. No longer limited to Ranged weapon attacks, Deflect Attacks allows you to reduce the damage of any attack that includes Bludgeoning, Piercing, or Slashing damage.

 

[Gorck]

I only did a quick google, because I didn't want to run down to my car, but... if what I saw online for 6th level monks is correct, it's not that their blows aren't magical - Empowered Strikes lets the monk choose to do either Force damage or their normal damage type.

Force damage would bypass the whole P/S/B issue

Correction: According to this D&D Beyond article, it's level 5 - https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1758-2024-monk-vs-2014-monk-whats-new

Edit: To quote directly from the article: "

Empowered Strike — Level 5​

With this new version of Ki-Empowered Strike, you can change the damage type of your Unarmed Strikes to Force damage. Handy for getting around those resistances"

Same for Moon Druids whose attacks used to become "magical" at level 6. Now they have the choice between doing normal or Radiant damage.

 

[Charlaquin]

Here’s a thought: the new PHB makes a point of clarifying what happens when a creature has both resistance and immunity to the same source of damage. So what if resistance to nonmagical b/p/s gets swapped out for resistance to all b/p/s and vulnerability to all damage dealt by magical weapons?

 

[Demetrios1453]

Based on what we have read so far there will be no more resistance or immunity to Piercing, Bludgeoning or Slashing from non-magic weapons.

[citation needed]