Spells, Powers, and Damage Reduction

[youspoonybard]

Hardness?

 

[Li Shenron]

I would just say as a guideline that if the damage is caused by something created from nothing by the spell DR doesn't help, like Spiritual Weapon or MK's Sword or Blade Barrier.

DR would help in the case of existing weapons thrusted or thrown with a spell such as Telekinesis, or modified/crafted by a spell such as Polymorph any Object or Fabricate. In fact spells which enchant existing weapons (Magic weapon, Align Weapon, Holy Sword) don't bypass all DR but only the specific one they help against.

There could be the occasional need to adjudicate specific spells however.

 

[uzagi_akimbo]

Damage type description might also be an issue, if a creature does not have DR, but can only be slain by certain forms of damage, or certain forms of damage have a specific effect on it. For an example, take the troll. It can regenerate almost anything but fire and acid damage. While I cannot name a faerie/outsider/whatever who regenerates everything but cold-iron damage off the top of my hat, there might well be, so stating the (cold iron) character of the spell's damage in certain circumstances could well prove important.

As for piercing damage - vampire are vulnerable to a wooden stake driven through their heart, so damaging a vampire to less than 0 HP with this spell or delivering a coup de grace with it may punch said wooden stake/splinter where it really hurts - and usually you couldn't do taht with a slashing or bludgeoning type weapon. YMMV

 

[Derren]

Ok, then please give me an example of an creature made by WotC where it matters if the damage type is piercing or not.

This spell certainly doesn't qualify as wooden, so the vampire is out.

 

[houser2112]

Ok, then please give me an example of an creature made by WotC where it matters if the damage type is piercing or not.

This spell certainly doesn't qualify as wooden, so the vampire is out.

Rakshasas?

 

[green slime]

Ok, then please give me an example of an creature made by WotC where it matters if the damage type is piercing or not.

This spell certainly doesn't qualify as wooden, so the vampire is out.

Skeletons?

 

[Teslacoil1138]

Ok, then please give me an example of an creature made by WotC where it matters if the damage type is piercing or not.

This spell certainly doesn't qualify as wooden, so the vampire is out.

There is a giant worm-like creature from the Fiend Folio (I can't remember what it's called) that is IMMUNE to piercing damage. Talk about extreme. lol

 

[Scion]

"Damage reduction does not negate touch attacks..."

Since Crystal Shard is a touch attack, DR does not negate it.

-Hyp.

I believe there is a difference between 'negate' and 'reduce'. It will still reduce the damage, it just doesnt negate the attack.

Unless deep impact should ignore DR? That would be a huge edge.

 

[Hypersmurf]

I believe there is a difference between 'negate' and 'reduce'. It will still reduce the damage, it just doesnt negate the attack.

Unless deep impact should ignore DR? That would be a huge edge.

A moment ago I would have said "Right - Deep Impact ignores DR". Now I'm not certain.

It seems to be suggesting that DR will not negate a touch attack that is a special effect accompanying an attack whose damage is completely negated by DR. And I have no idea what that means.

Energy damage dealt along with an attack and energy drains make sense. They can both be special effects accompanying an attack whose damage is completely negated by DR - for example, if a vampire slams a grick, and doesn't deal enough damage to actually get any hit points past the grick's DR, he can still inflict negative levels.

But how can a touch attack be a special effect accompanying an attack?

-Hyp.

 

[Derren]

Both the rakshasa and skelletons have DR in 3.5.

No more holy bolt instant kill and 1/2 from piercing weapons.