Super Fey!!! Half fey pixie warlock?

[LiL KiNG]

From the SRD;
"If a creature has damage reduction from more than one source, the two forms of damage reduction do not stack. Instead, the creature gets the benefit of the best damage reduction in a given situation."

From this I would take that unless the DR type specifically states it stacks (like with a Barbarian's DR, or Fey's Heritage feat's DR), then they do not stack.

 

[Empath Negative]

From the SRD;
"If a creature has damage reduction from more than one source, the two forms of damage reduction do not stack. Instead, the creature gets the benefit of the best damage reduction in a given situation."

From this I would take that unless the DR type specifically states it stacks (like with a Barbarian's DR, or Fey's Heritage feat's DR), then they do not stack.

Unless we're reading it wrong... and the "source" in question is the source of the damage. Else why specifically list two different sources of damage in their example?

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

Try reading the PHB. It doesn't list source as being Cold iron from a helm + cold iron from race... it lists source as being dr/cold iron and dr/evil or somesuch.

So, turn to stacking rules themselves...

Combine for a cumulative effect. In most cases, modifiers to a given check or roll stack if they come from different sources and have different descriptors (or no descriptors at all), but do not stack if they have the same descriptors or come from the same source (such as the same spell cast twice in succession). If the modifiers to a particular roll do not stack, only the best bonus or worst penalty applies. Dodge bonuses and circumstance bonuses however, do stack with one another unless otherwise specified. Spell effects that do not stack may overlap, coexist independently, or render one another irrelevant, depending on their exact effects.



So, with the relative ambivalence of the srd rules (their example doesn't list different "sources" in the traditional sense, but different "types", and that stacking rules as a whole permit stacking so long as the source is different... and various d&d endorsed products all back this up...

I'm going to go with it.

regardless of RAW, it comes down to whatever you and your DM agree upon.

 

[LiL KiNG]

Unless we're reading it wrong... and the "source" in question is the source of the damage. Else why specifically list two different sources of damage in their example?

Well, I'm reading it as if gaining DR from more than one source (Pixie + template are the different sources) then the DR doesn't stack. The whole example deals with different DR types (silver, evil, ect.), and I wish one example would have specifically dealt with the same DR stacking issue so it would be more clear.

I don't think resistance bonuses stack either (unless they explicitly state they do), like gaining 'resistance to fire 5' from the FR regional feat Forgeheart would be pointless if you're a Tiefling and already have 'resistance to fire 5' as a racial ability (but for an Aasimar Forgeheart is a great feat).

This is just how I'm seeing it, I could very well be wrong but our group of 7 has three rotating DM's and we've never had these abilities stack unless they said they do and no one has ever contested this - the three of us that DM talk a lot too to ensure that anything we add or change is balanced and fair and to make sure we're all on the same page rule wise so there isn't any major difference in play no matter who is behind the DM screen. And it isn't just a we're the DM's so what we say goes type of thing, no one in the group has ever complained... and lately it seems like templates are the all the rage so everyone has some type(s) of DR or resistances too.

RUMBLETiGER is right though, if this works for you and your DM then there is nothing wrong with it.

 

[Empirate]

The stacking rules specifically refer to bonuses, not abilities that happen to be expressed in numerics. Bonuses from different sources and bonuses of different types stack. But DR is hardly a bonus. Even mathematically, it is de-ducted in the actual calculation. I'm still not sold.

Also, "try reading the PHB" isn't exactly rules text gold. Only on page 307 is damage reduction specifically adressed, and nothing there says anything about stacking rules for damage reduction.
Once again, we're forced to turn to the DMG, and there're those two rather cut-and-dried sentences "If a creature has damage reduction from more than one source, the two forms of damage reduction do not stack. Instead, the creature gets the benefit of the best damage reduction in a given situation."

Oh, and if you and your DM agree on everybody getting +100 bonus HP, then that's fine, but it doesn't help this debate.

 

[LiL KiNG]

OK, well lets look at an ability then... say the Berserker Strength alternate class feature for Barbarians (PHB II) which grants DR 2/- as part of its ability. Under the descriptions for Berserker Strength is specifically states that this DR stacks with similar types of DR (such as the Barbarian class's DR they gain). Or taking a look at the Fey feat; Fey Skin, again it makes a point of stating this stacks with any similar DR.
Why would they feel the need to make a point and state that it stacks if they all stack anyway?
My answer would be because they don't unless specifically stated they do. Not all improvements to natural armor stack, most do, but not all of them.

My number one source is Pixie with DR/cold iron, my number two source is a template with DR/cold iron... "the two forms of damage reduction do not stack" and the benefit of the 'best DR in a given situation' would be whichever offers the higher protection value.
I haven't read the template recently or its errata, but it may very well state that the DR does stack with similar a DR type - in which case you're covered anyway.

And the whole 'DM ruling' thing does pertain because despite what the general consensus is and regardless of RAW or RAI, if your DM signs off on it then it is a moot point what any rule or person says.

 

[Empath Negative]

If DR is not a bonus... is it a penalty?

 

[LiL KiNG]

If DR is not a bonus... is it a penalty?

Yes, of course. (read sarcastically btw - I know it's hard to pick up on tone or intent in typed communication if you can't hear it spoken or see the accompanying facial expressions)

Why would they say DR from different sources doesn't stack in the rules about DR? To answer my own question because otherwise people would find ways that they can stack a class, feat, race and template and end up ridiculously high DR.

Is Armor Class a penalty? No, yet AC bonuses don't stack like say from a mithral breastplate and bracers of armor... same concept.

 

[Empirate]

If DR is not a bonus... is it a penalty?

It is neither. It is an ability which happens to be expressed in numerics, since it can have varying effects which impact numeric calculations.

Not everything in the game must be either a penalty or a bonus. HP are expressed in numerics, too, but those aren't a bonus (+ to 'staying alive'?), and neither are they a penalty (- to 'keeling over and dying'?).


And yes, the wording of Fey Skin, Berserker Strength and maybe others strongly imply that these go against an established norm, otherwise there would be no need to spell out the DR stacking. However, this isn't even needed to make an argument that, normally, DR doesn't stack, since the rules text is there, and it's clear.

 

[Empath Negative]

You mean ac bonuses from a shield a spell and a breastplate dont stack?

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