Transumuting weapons and the DR/xEpic

[Summer-Knight925]

the question i have is this

the transmuting weapon enhancment allows the weapon to copy the damage reduction needed to beat a monster back...but what if you attack a monster with the 'epic' damage reduction?

Would it work?

I say no, because it isnt an ability its a power status, but I would like some feedback/your thoughts on this matter

 

[jefgorbach]

IMO it would work ... provided the weapon in question had been crafted with the Epic creation feat to overcome the normal +5 enhancement bonus limitations.

 

[Dandu]

I'd allow it.

 

[Vegepygmy]

the transmuting weapon enhancment allows the weapon to copy the damage reduction needed to beat a monster back...but what if you attack a monster with the 'epic' damage reduction?

Would it work?

As written in the Magic Item Compendium, yes, it would.

I say no, because it isnt an ability its a power status, but I would like some feedback/your thoughts on this matter

I'm not familiar with this terminology. An "ability" is one of the six basic character qualities (Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma). What is a "power status"?

 

[Dandu]

It's OVER NINE THOUSAND!!!

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

I'd allow it.

 

[Summer-Knight925]

As written in the Magic Item Compendium, yes, it would.

I'm not familiar with this terminology. An "ability" is one of the six basic character qualities (Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma). What is a "power status"?

in order for a weapon to be 'epic' it has to be more than +5 in either special abilities (such as flaming) or the overall +X

a +6 longsword would overcome it

but a +1 transmuting weapon is not equal to that and thus could not, epic is not an ability you add to a weapon, it becomes epic...thats what I mean
the power level is over 9000 on an epic weapon, thus concluding the argument

it also cannot over come anything with DR/- for obvious reason

 

[Vegepygmy]

I'm not sure how, but I think maybe I've divined what you're trying to say.

Are you saying that a transmuting weapon that hits a creature with "DR 10/silver and bludgeoning and good" actually transforms into a good, blunt, silver weapon, and thus overcomes that creature's DR? And the same weapon, upon hitting a different creature, this one with "DR 10/adamantine and slashing and evil," actually transforms into an evil, pointy, adamantine weapon? But it can't transform into a +6 (i.e., epic) weapon, so it can't overcome DR X/epic?

If so, I follow your logic, but I disagree. The special ability explicitly notes that the weapon "does not gain any other benefit of the properties it takes on, and it always deals normal damage." That suggests to me that the weapon doesn't actually transform into a +6 weapon, it just temporarily gains the "epic properties" of such a weapon that allow it to overcome DR X/epic. In other words, it is considered to be "epic" only for purposes of overcoming DR.

 

[FEADIN]

Transmuting (a +2 bonus) says "When you score a successful hit with a transmuting weapon against a creature that has damage reduction, that attack is resolved normally. At the start of your next turn, however, the weapon transforms, taking on the properties required to overcome that creature's damage reduction."

Can we say that Epic is a "property" for me it's a +6 or more weapon it seems a bit overpowered if your base weapon is a small +1.

 

[Empirate]

Being epic or not is not a property of a weapon. There is no "Epic" enchantment, like there is a Holy enchantment; nor can your weapon be made of "Epic", as it can be made of Adamantine. "Epic" is merely the name you tack onto any weapon that is a certain amount of 'powerful'.

DR 20/epic basically means the following: "If you're not wielding a weapon that is powerful enough that it can only have been crafted by an epic level spellcaster, you subtract 20 from the damage you deal". Or, more succinctly put: "You must be this tall to enter".

So while a Transmuting weapon can take on all the properties needed to overcome any DR, it does not become more powerful. If a monster has DR "X/Epic and Good", a transmuting weapon can fake being good-aligned to overcome this, but if it doesn't have a +6 enhancement bonus or a total of +6 worth of enchantments, it will not overcome this DR.

To keep within the metaphor: Transmuting weapons can fake being bearded or not, elven or gnomish, female or male in order to get on the roller coaster. They cannot fake being taller than they are, though.