Rules Q: Black Pudding vs. Magical Adamantine

[Jarrod]

Quick rules question for those that know more than I:

A black pudding has two results of its attacks:

1) Immediately dissolve armor and clothing (Reflex avoids). The favor is returned to the attacker - hitting it with a weapon has the same Reflex-or-lose it.
2) Deal 21 points of damage to objects if it's in contact for a full round.

Now the question: what about magical items? Specifically, adamantine magical items? Acid does not appear to ignore hardness, and adamantine has hardness 20 - so that would be dealing 1 point of acid damage a round. That makes the insta-dissolve seem a little over the top.

Can anyone suggest a ruling on this?

 

[ValhallaGH]

Point 1 is the key point. Make a Reflex save upon being hit. Success and clothing and armor is unaffected. Failure and the magical adamantine armor gets a save (as per Magic Items).

Magic items should always get a saving throw against spells that might deal damage to them— even against attacks from which a nonmagical item would normally get no chance to save.

Failing that save results in destruction. Period.

If you don't like that then convince the DM to houserule black puddings.

 

[IcyCool]

If you don't like that then convince the DM to houserule black puddings.

Or zap them with spells, or beat them with improvised weapons, or ...

 

[frankthedm]

Point 1 is the key point. Make a Reflex save upon being hit. Success and clothing and armor is unaffected. Failure and the magical adamantine armor gets a save (as per Magic Items).

No. There is only 1 chance to save. If that save fails, it is over for the item. Magic items always get a save is true. This does not mean they get two saves if a non magical item is allowed one save.

Acid (Ex)
The creature secretes a digestive acid that dissolves organic material and metal quickly, but does not affect stone. Any melee hit or constrict attack deals acid damage, and the opponent’s armor and clothing dissolve and become useless immediately unless they succeed on DC 21 Reflex saves. A metal or wooden weapon that strikes a black pudding also dissolves immediately unless it succeeds on a DC 21 Reflex save. The save DCs are Constitution-based.

The pudding’s acidic touch deals 21 points of damage per round to wooden or metal objects, but the ooze must remain in contact with the object for 1 full round to deal this damage.

Fairly nasty, though you can always run from those slow arse puddings.

 

[Jarrod]

Well, I am the GM, so it's my job to be evil.

I find the discrepency odd. In a system that seems to move away from all-or-nothing to still have this... well, sucks to be the PCs.

Hrm. Maybe I'll be nice and allow make whole to work after the fact. Takes it from a $$$$$-encounter to merely a nasty encounter (well, a back-up-and-fireball encounter)

 

[frankthedm]

Well, I am the GM, so it's my job to be evil.

I find the discrepency odd. In a system that seems to move away from all-or-nothing to still have this... well, sucks to be the PCs.

It really wipes the smug look off a PC with an Armor of acid resitance 30.

Though I will say it might be a bit too brutal. Making it xx damage dealt to the object while at the same time making the split only happen on Slashing attacks that would have dealt it's Con score in HP do the split. No instant melt, no Arrow, Arrow, Fireball either.

 

[Pyrex]

Keep in mind that as an attended object, the adamantine item uses it's bearer's Ref save if it's better than it's own; so it's not all bad.

 

[frankthedm]

A save where the DC is Con & HD based is not usually that low once you get passed CR5. Those who have a good reflex save won't last against the pudding's damage and improved grab. Those who would be attacking it don't have a good reflex save most of the time.

 

[Jarrod]

And have you seen the elder black pudding?

Daaaaaaamn.

 

[pallandrome]

Or zap them with spells, or beat them with improvised weapons, or ...

or convince the monk to punch them, or bludgeon them with a gnome, or...