spearing a ship until it sinks

[Saeviomagy]

The "specific rules" do not say that.

AV says that vehicles can be attacked and damaged like other objects, that like other objects they have HP and defenses, and when HP goes to 0, the object is destroyed.

The DMG says that objects can be attacked and that "damage is damage". Thats what it actually says. Immunities to attacks or damage is for unusual items only.

Damage is damage, but targeting is targeting. Please feel free to point out any damage powers that you've found which do not specify that the power targets creatures (whether enemies, allies, or just creatures).

There's a clarification in the errata that specifically states
“Some powers include objects as targets. At the DM’s discretion, a power that targets a creature can also target an object, whether or not the power lists an object as a potential target.”

So - the fact that damage is damage is irrelevant. Your power almost certainly targets a creature or creatures, so any use you make of a power on an object is entirely at the DMs whim.

 

[TerraDave]

Ok, lets follow that logic up...what is the point of the AV rules?

If you are saying that the default is no targetting, that makes them even sillier, right?

 

[Mallus]

On the RC: sure, and I quoted it above.

I missed that. Sorry.

I still doubt the value added of those rules, but the DM is given some discretion to effectively ignore them.

That's fair. I still find the breakage rules/advice to be helpful, but then again, I simplicity and simply eyeballing things and I have something of an aversion to complicate formal systems which generate junk results (note: I write software for a living). Why write a system to deliver results no more accurate than those pulled wholesale from your ass?

 

[UngeheuerLich]

No, not at all. It makes them useful.

If you decide a power can target the ship effectively you have a way to resolute the action without any problem.

P: Can i poke the ship with my spear?
Dm: Of course, but it is no attack, just poking.

P: Can I use a free action to make it thundering and use the special power to ripp a hole in the ship hull?
DM: Yes, make an attack vs. XX. How much damage do you deal?