SR and weapons question

[Blood Jester]

In a recent discussion it was stated (by various posters) that energy properties on a weapon (i.e. flaming, frost, shock, etc.) ignore spell resistance. I have looked, but can't find a reference to this in the books, even though I did find a specific mention that the combat bonus' of a weapon are unaffected by SR (+1 etc.)

Now, I'm not trying to debate the issue, I just want to know if anyone can give me a book and page number reference?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Mahali]

It's not spelled out anywhere because it doesn't need to be.

It is not a spell or spell-like effect.

 

[drnuncheon]

"Only spells and spell-like abilities are subject to spell resistance. Extraordinary and supernatural abilities (including enhancement bonuses on magic weapons) are not."

So, is the flaming/frost/etc a spell-like ability or something else? Well, it doesn't mimic an existing spell. Although it takes a standard action (as a command) to activate, there is no indication that a Concentration check is necessary, nor that it i9ncurs an AoO for doing so.

Thus, I would say the flaming aspect is a supernatural ability and hence not affected by SR.

J

 

[Blood Jester]

"Only spells and spell-like abilities are subject to spell resistance. Extraordinary and supernatural abilities (including enhancement bonuses on magic weapons) are not."

So, is the flaming/frost/etc a spell-like ability or something else? Well, it doesn't mimic an existing spell. Although it takes a standard action (as a command) to activate, there is no indication that a Concentration check is necessary, nor that it i9ncurs an AoO for doing so.

Thus, I would say the flaming aspect is a supernatural ability and hence not affected by SR.

J

I read the "enhancement bonuses on magic weapons" part to mean just the enhancement bonus (i.e. +1...). The descriptions for the other features calls them 'special abilities' and not enhancements, and calls these 'special ability bonus equivalents' thus differentiating them from enhancement bonuses.

Again, I'm not trying to be argumentative as much as inquisitive.

EDIT: Oops, missed the last line...

Hmm, a caster (usually arcane) creates the weapon using spells as pre-requisites, wouldn't that make it more spell-like than supernatural. (Why am I hearing bad 70's music when I see that word? )

 

[drnuncheon]

I read the "enhancement bonuses on magic weapons" part to mean just the enhancement bonus (i.e. +1...). The descriptions for the other features calls them 'special abilities' and not enhancements, and calls these 'special ability bonus equivalents' thus differentiating them from enhancement bonuses.

Right, but read what I posted again. Don't get hung up on the enhancement bonuses thing.

Only spells and spell-like abilities are subject to spell resistance.

Is the sword's flaming ability a spell or spell-like ability?

J

 

[Blood Jester]

Ah-HA!

Actually, check out my edit, I caught that point as I was re-reading my post (after posting of course, dammit!) See my query above.