Vicous weapon damage

[Simm]

1. What is the damage type of the additional damage delt by the vicous weapon enhancement?

My understanding is that the additional damage delt to the target is of the same damage type as the weapon used since it uses the same terminology as sneak attack, and that the damge delt to the user is untyped.

2. If the damage is untyped how does it interact with damage reduction and energy resistance?

3. Does the duskblade spell blade of blood operate the same way?

My understanding is, as stated, that the first 1d6 damage is dealt by the spell and would be untyped but the additional 2d6 damage would be dealt by the weapon and share its damage type.

from the srd

When a vicious weapon strikes an opponent, it creates a flash of disruptive energy that resonates between the opponent and the wielder. This energy deals an extra 2d6 points of damage to the opponent and 1d6 points of damage to the wielder. Only melee weapons can be vicious.

from 3.5 PHB on sneak attack

This extra damage is 1d6 at first level and increses by 1d6 every two rogue levels therafter.

From PHBII on blade of blood

This spell deals an extra 1d6 damage against the target of the attack. You can voluntarily take five hit points of damage to empower the weapon to deal an extra 2d6 points of damage.

 

[Hypersmurf]

My understanding is that the additional damage delt to the target is of the same damage type as the weapon used since it uses the same terminology as sneak attack, and that the damge delt to the user is untyped.

The damage isn't dealt by the weapon; it's dealt by the flash of disruptive energy. It's untyped, and is not reduced by DR or by energy resistance, though it would likely be reduced by hardness.

My understanding is, as stated, that the first 1d6 damage is dealt by the spell and would be untyped but the additional 2d6 damage would be dealt by the weapon and share its damage type.

By the wording, that looks about right.

-Hyp.

 

[frankthedm]

1. What is the damage type of the additional damage delt by the vicous weapon enhancement?

Typeless energy, no way to get around.

2. If the damage is untyped how does it interact with damage reduction and energy resistance?

It gets through both, no muss, no fuss.

Whenever damage reduction completely negates the damage from an attack, it also negates most special effects that accompany the attack, such as injury type poison, a monk’s stunning, and injury type disease. Damage reduction does not negate touch attacks, energy damage dealt along with an attack, or energy drains. Nor does it affect poisons or diseases delivered by inhalation, ingestion, or contact.

3. Does the duskblade spell blade of blood operate the same way?

hype covered it

 

[Shin Okada]

The damage isn't dealt by the weapon; it's dealt by the flash of disruptive energy. It's untyped, and is not reduced by DR or by energy resistance, though it would likely be reduced by hardness
.-Hyp.

It is typeless, no doubt.

Is it an energy? Doubtful. By the rule, only 5 types of energies exists in 3.5e rule (acid, cold, electricity, fire, sonic). All the other things or phenomenons are, even if it is called energy or using the word energy in their name (like positive/negative energy), not energy, by RAW.

"Spells, spell-like abilities and energy attacks (even nonmagical fire) ignore damage reduction."

But additional damage from vicious weapon is of the above. So I say DR works against them.

 

[Hypersmurf]

So I say DR works against them.

How about holy water, a lich's touch, a ravid's tail slap? Complete Champion's Holy Stalker alternate Rogue class feature?

-Hyp.

 

[Shin Okada]

How about holy water, a lich's touch, a ravid's touch? Complete Champion's Holy Stalker alternate Rogue class feature?

-Hyp.

I say they are stopped by DR unless the damage type is the one which bypass that certain DR by RAW. DR, in general, work against even Su abilities if which are not energy attacks.

See the Mental Resistance feat in complete psionics. It will give you DR 3/- against psionics. Not energy resistance and such. But DR (though, in this case, only against psionics). And still bypassed by energy attacks if those are psionics.

. Energy or not
. Spell-like ability or not
. The damage is the type specified that will bypass that certain DR or not

Those are the things counted.

Edit: a amall mistake regarding psionics against Mental Resistance

 

[Hypersmurf]

It will give you DR 3/- against psionics. Not energy resistance and such. But DR (though, in this case, only against psionics).

Psionics: Telepathy, mental combat and psychic powers — psionics is a catchall word that describes special mental abilities possessed by various creatures. These are spell-like abilities that a creature generates from the power of its mind alone — no other outside magical force or ritual is needed. Each psionic creature’s description contains details on its psionic abilities.

If psionics are spell-like abilities, then don't they bypass DR all by themselves?

-Hyp.

 

[Thurbane]

It's incredible how often the first two issues come up.

 

[Shin Okada]

If psionics are spell-like abilities, then don't they bypass DR all by themselves?

-Hyp.

That is when we are not using Expanded Psionic handbook. In the default rule in EPH, the "psionics" abilities which MM monsters (or monsters in other supplements) are now Psi-like abilities and not spell-like abilities.

 

[Hypersmurf]

That is when we are not using Expanded Psionic handbook. In the default rule in EPH, the "psionics" abilities which MM monsters (or monsters in other supplements) are now Psi-like abilities and not spell-like abilities.

So Concussion Blast and Psionic Disintegrate, for example, are subject to DR?

-Hyp.