Is hardness exactly the same as DR?

[The_Fan]

Only certain sonic attacks ignore hardness (most notably psionic powers). however, sonic damage is in the same boat as acid damage in that it does full damage to objects, while fire and cold do 1/2 and electricity does 1/4.

However, personally I'd say that the light beam would do full damage. It's not much damage and is basically the creature's only method of attack, so I think it's in the spirit of the rules to make it ignore hardness as well.

 

[boolean]

Also, in the PHB it states that objects take half damage from ranged attacks. Is that true for animated objects, even though it is not stated in the MM?

Animated objects are Creatures, not Objects. Rules that specifically affect objects (half damage from fire, etc.) don not apply.

Animated tables can't fly, so the lantern archon hovers outside it's reach. 5 out of 6 hits won't deal enough damage to get past the hardness, but the archon will eventually whittle it down.

 

[Tzarevitch]

OK, substitute "-" with "adamantine". Same mechanic?

I am not sure I understand your question. Let's try this basic primer on the difference between DR and Hardness.

Basically hardness and DR sometimes have similar end outcomes but they aren't the same thing.

Usually Objects have Hardness.
Usually Creatures have DR.

Hardness reduces almost every sort of numerical hit point damage that an object can take, but a few things (notably adamantine) can bypass hardness to a certain extent.

DR behaves similar to hardness in that it reduces numerical damage from certain forms of attack, primarily:
1. physical blows (swords, clubs, claws etc.)
2. spells and magical effects that are similar to physical blows (spiritual weapons, conjured stones etc.)

DR does not reduce the damage from most spells and supernatural effects that grant saving throws and are basically energy based, such as fireballs or breath weapons for example.

DR comes in two basic flavors: breakable and unbreakable. Breakable DR is further subdivided by what breaks the DR (magic weapons, alignment, weapon type or weapon material).

Unbreakable DR (i.e a DR of X/- where x is a whole number greater than 0) is actually a misnomer. It is not really unbreakable, it is only unbreakable by weapon types. Energy attacks (see above) still ignore it the same way they ignore all other DR, so it is still well short of the impressive protection that is hardness.

Note however, that in one specific instance, DR x/- is better than Hardness X and that is against an adamantine weapon. An adamantine weapon ignores hardness up to a certain level (19 I think) , it does NOT ignore DR of any type other than DR x/adamantine. So while hardness 15 would not stop a 10 point hit with an adamantine hammer, a DR of 15/- WOULD stop that blow (so would DR 15/magic, alignment, cold iron, silver, piercing or slashing).

Tzarevitch

 

[Hypersmurf]

DR behaves similar to hardness in that it reduces numerical damage from certain forms of attack, primarily:
2. spells and magical effects that are similar to physical blows (spiritual weapons, conjured stones etc.)

Debated. I'd certainly rule that Spiritual Weapon ignores DR.

"Spells, spell-like abilities, and energy attacks (even nonmagical fire) ignore damage reduction."

Spiritual Weapon is a spell.

-Hyp.

 

[S'mon]

Spiritual Weapon is a Force effect like Magic Missile so it ignores DR, yup.

 

[Shin Okada]

Spiritual Weapon is a Force effect like Magic Missile so it ignores DR, yup.

No. That is not the true mechanism.

"Spells, spell-like abilities and energy attacks (even nonmagical fire ignore damage reduction."

So, spells bypass DR, no matter what kind of damages it inflicts (energy or not).

Energy damages bypass DR, magical or not.

Force is not a type of energy. And force is not always spells or spell-like abilities. So, while Spiritual Weapon and Magic Missile do bypass DR, that is because they are spells, not because they are force. If there be force damages caused by something not spell nor spell-like ability, it does not bypass DR.

 

[Jdvn1]

Doesn't hardness 5 and DR 5/- operate under the same mechanic? Isn't hardness just a term used for objects, but is really DR X/-?

Basically the same mechanic, yes, but the two aren't interchangeable. They use different terms so that some things affect just hardness and some things affect just DR. They're intentionally separated.

Is that true for animated objects, even though it is not stated in the MM?

Your question was answered, though:

Animated objects are Creatures, not Objects.

Right?

 

[S'mon]

No. That is not the true mechanism.

"Spells, spell-like abilities and energy attacks (even nonmagical fire ignore damage reduction."

So, spells bypass DR, no matter what kind of damages it inflicts (energy or not).

Energy damages bypass DR, magical or not.

Force is not a type of energy. And force is not always spells or spell-like abilities. So, while Spiritual Weapon and Magic Missile do bypass DR, that is because they are spells, not because they are force. If there be force damages caused by something not spell nor spell-like ability, it does not bypass DR.

Um, so then, a Greater Magic Weapon spell bypasses DR? :\ I think you're talking rubbish.

 

[Shin Okada]

Um, so then, a Greater Magic Weapon spell bypasses DR? :\ I think you're talking rubbish.

No.

Greater Magic Weapon itself is not causing damage. The weapon, which happen to be getting a benefit of GMW spell, is causing damage.

That damage is weapon damage and magic damage. But not damage from spell. So can bypass, say, DR X/Magic. But cannot bypass, say, DR X/-.

 

[Thanee]

Um, so then, a Greater Magic Weapon spell bypasses DR? :\

Sure, if you somehow make it to cause damage.

Bye
Thanee