Question about Vicious Weapon Flag

[SteelDraco]

We've always operated under the assumption that the damage from the Vicious weapon was untyped damage, and couldn't be negated with any resistances. I would certainly say that if it was, by some combination of powers or something, that the weapon's extra damage wouldn't apply either.

 

[VorpalButterknife]

Regardless of what type of energy the 'flash of disruptive energy' is described as, I think the general consensus is that the damage to the wielder is untyped, and thereby not subject to any kind of DR. That completely answers my question, and in retrospect makes more sense than my original guess.

Yeah, 1d6 isn't a lot of damage (especially with a vamp's fast healing), but I'm sure that the PCs will be sending more than enough damage its way without its own weapon making contributions. =)

Thanks to everyone who posted!

 

[Piratecat]

And hey, welcome to the boards!

 

[Kmart Kommando]

A vicious weapon's damage type is the same as Horrid Wilting, Melf's Unicorn Arrow, Disintegrate, or an Eldritch Blast, it is 'other' damage, or untyped magical damage. There is nothing that can prevent it from doing its damage.

 

[RigaMortus2]

I would think technically that the damage is considered "disruptive damage" or "disruptive energy". Just like the damage from a Flaming Longsword is both "slashing" and "Fire damage" (because it is "Fire energy"). The result, of course, is the same, since it is energy damage either way (you say "untyped" I say "disruptive") it still bypasses the DR.

Just out of curiousity, what type of damage (besides bludgeoning) would a Mace of Disruption do (if any)?

 

[UltimaGabe]

Just out of curiousity, what type of damage (besides bludgeoning) would a Mace of Disruption do (if any)?

Assuming the target fails their save, it doesn't deal damage.

It kills them outright.

 

[Kmart Kommando]

On a similar note, Vampiric Touch, which looks and acts like a necromantic effect, is untyped magical damage as well, so nothing can keep it from happening, besides SR and not being touched.

 

[Elethiomel]

On a similar note, Vampiric Touch, which looks and acts like a necromantic effect, is untyped magical damage as well, so nothing can keep it from happening, besides SR and not being touched.

Immunity to necromantic effects (from being a construct, for instance) would do it.

 

[Kmart Kommando]

Immunity to necromantic effects (from being a construct, for instance) would do it.

Ok, barring Shapechange, the PCs are pretty much going to take it, no matter what. It's named after an undead creature, is necromancy, and draws the life force out of a living creature, but Deathward and similar effects can't do a thing about it. :\

Vicious is based on Enervate, but has a completely different effect. There is a paladin spell (and maybe cleric too, don't recall) that does sacrifice your hit points to do more damage, so maybe using that spell instead of enervate would make more sense.

 

[AngelBob]

Whenever I have seen a magic spell or effect, much like the Warlock's Eldritch Blast, I have ruled it a simply "magic damage". It lacks an element, or energy type as they are called, and does not by any means deal physical damage.

So, indeed, no ER or DR can stop it. Much like the well-loved magic missile, the damage is just damage, a blessing due to the above reasons, and a curse in that it cannot be taken advantage of to exploit an enemies weaknesses.