Do the keywords of a power change to reflect the damage that is actually being dealt?
The PHB has this to say about keywords and damage types:
However, what about damage types that aren't defined by the power itself? There are multiple ways to either change the damage type of an attack, or to add extra damage of a different type to the attack. Do those also add their damage type to the keywords of a power?
For example, if I'm using a power with the Fire keyword that deals 2d10 Fire damage and I'm using an effect that changes all damage I deal to Cold damage. Does this mean the power counts as having the Cold keyword because that's the damage I'm dealing, or does it stay Fire because that's what the power itself says it is?
Alternatively, I'm casting the same 2d10 Fire spell, except this time I have an external effect that adds 1d4 Lightning damage to all my attacks. Does this mean the power counts as having both the Fire and the Lightning keywords because I deal both damage types with that attack, or does it stay Fire because of the base power?
The PHB has this to say about keywords and damage types:
If a power allows you to choose the damage type, the power then has that keyword for feats, resistances, and any other information that applies. For example, the wizard spell elemental maw does 6d6 + Intelligence modifier damage of a type chosen from the following list: acid, cold, fire, lightning, or thunder. If you choose lightning damage, the Astral Fire feat (+1 feat bonus to damage rolls when you use powers that have the fire or radiant keywords) doesn’t add to the power’s damage, but the Raging Storm feat (+1 feat bonus to damage rolls when you use powers that have the lightning or thunder keywords) does.
However, what about damage types that aren't defined by the power itself? There are multiple ways to either change the damage type of an attack, or to add extra damage of a different type to the attack. Do those also add their damage type to the keywords of a power?
For example, if I'm using a power with the Fire keyword that deals 2d10 Fire damage and I'm using an effect that changes all damage I deal to Cold damage. Does this mean the power counts as having the Cold keyword because that's the damage I'm dealing, or does it stay Fire because that's what the power itself says it is?
Alternatively, I'm casting the same 2d10 Fire spell, except this time I have an external effect that adds 1d4 Lightning damage to all my attacks. Does this mean the power counts as having both the Fire and the Lightning keywords because I deal both damage types with that attack, or does it stay Fire because of the base power?
Last edited: