Insubstantial + Vulnerable?

[Uruush]

If a monster is Insubstantial and Vulnerable 5 Radiant and it is hit with, for example, a radiant attack like a 8 point Lance of Faith At-Will, how much damage does it take?

Half of 8 (4) + 5 for 9 damage?
Half of 13 (7) for 7 damage?

Something else? Thanks.

 

[FireLance]

Something else:

Half of 13 (6) for 6 damage. You always round down.

 

[Uruush]

Oop! I know about the rounding down but had a typo there.

So you add vulnerability damage then halve it... Thanks!

 

[haran.banjo]

Yeah, pretty much I think that you are right in your calculations.

I, however, house ruled that if a monster has a Vulnerability to Radiant damage AND is Insubstantial (like the Wraith you mentioned - I think it's a Wraith), if it gets struck by Radiant damage, he takes full damage (ie: no Insubstantial reduction).

This gives more flavor to "radiant" characters: if it's undead, I become a striker! - which my players appreciate particularly.

 

[Runestar]

I think you would add it in the manner which is most advantageous to the creature in question (ie: add damage, then halve everything).

 

[abyssaldeath]

Here is WotC answer. Ask Wizards: 11/10/2008

Q: What happens when damage is dealt to a creature with both insubstantial and vulnerability? For example, let’s say I deal 1 radiant damage to a specter (who has vulnerability 5 radiant). What happens?

A: You apply the vulnerability first, bringing the total up to 6 damage, then apply the insubstantial, cutting it by half for a final total of 3 damage. You would do the same with resistance, so a specter taking 12 necrotic damage first reduces it to 2, which then gets cut in half to 1 because it’s insubstantial.

 

[chaotix42]

I was doing it the other way (1/2 dmg + vulnerable = total), much to my player's delight. I predict several frowns in the future thanks to this thread.

 

[Festivus]

I was doing it the other way (1/2 dmg + vulnerable = total), much to my player's delight. I predict several frowns in the future thanks to this thread.

Wow, yeah. I was calling it the same way as you... many many frowns coming soon I suspect.