Weapon hardness and hit points

[Clumsy Bob]

I'm sorry, I know this question has probably been asked a dozen times already but I cannot use the search facility so stick with me

I have two opponents fighting one another. One wields a +2 sword (Dave), the other a +1 bane weapon (+3 enchantment) (Fred)
Question, can Dave sunder Fred's weapon? Does the bane enchantment make the weapon +3 for this purpose or is it classed as +1?

Cheers

Bob

 

[James McMurray]

It is only +1. Only the enhancement bonus counts, not he total market value in plusses.

 

[jgsugden]

Note that the rule requiring a greater plus on your weapon to sunder other magic weapons is no longer present in 3.5. A +1 longsword can sunder a +5 greatsword ... though the increased hp/hardness of magic weapons in 3.5 makes sundering a +5 weapon a difficult and time consuming proposition.

 

[AeroDm]

Note that the rule requiring a greater plus on your weapon to sunder other magic weapons is no longer present in 3.5. A +1 longsword can sunder a +5 greatsword ... though the increased hp/hardness of magic weapons in 3.5 makes sundering a +5 weapon a difficult and time consuming proposition.

Hmm... i recall that rule as well but on page 222 of the DMG is says at the top of the page under Hardness and Hit Points:

An attacker cannot damage a magic weapon that has an enhancement bonus unless his own weapon has at least as high an enhancement bonus as the weapon or shield struck.

What's the deal? Typo? Errata?

 

[James McMurray]

Not only that, but it seemed apparent from a bane weapon costing +2 that he was discussing 3.0.

 

[shilsen]

Hmm... i recall that rule as well but on page 222 of the DMG is says at the top of the page under Hardness and Hit Points:

An attacker cannot damage a magic weapon that has an enhancement bonus unless his own weapon has at least as high an enhancement bonus as the weapon or shield struck.

What's the deal? Typo? Errata?

Unfortunately the 3.5 DMG and PHB contradict each other in places with regard to hardness and hp for weapons and armor. I believe the "unofficial" (I don't think it's out in the FAQ or errata yet) answer is that attackers can damage weapons with a higher enhancement bonus, and that each +1 of enhancement gives +2 to hardness and +10 to hp. So now that giant with the non-magical but tree-sized greatclub can break your poor PC's magical weapon as long as he gets past the hardness and hp. Good change, IMO.

 

[Clumsy Bob]

Not only that, but it seemed apparent from a bane weapon costing +2 that he was discussing 3.0.

James is correct, I was thinking 3.5. Assume the first post should be a +1 holy sword instead
IMO any weapon should be able to destroy another. After all the additional enhancements do increase the hardness and HP's.
I always picture the following encounter in my head when I consider the rules as written.
'I sunder his shortbow with my +1 greataxe!, DM Sorry it has no effect, his bow is +2." Yeah right.

This would raise an additional question, do weapon effects such as fire or acid, or even holy add to the damage done to sunder attempts. I imagine the rules to say yes but I cannot see how that would be possible. for example how would you do holy damage to a normal shortsword that is wielded by a kobold?

Bob

 

[Flyspeck23]

This would raise an additional question, do weapon effects such as fire or acid, or even holy add to the damage done to sunder attempts. I imagine the rules to say yes but I cannot see how that would be possible. for example how would you do holy damage to a normal shortsword that is wielded by a kobold?

The kobold's weapon isn't evil aligned, so the holy weapon doesn't do more damage against it (you're not hitting the kobold after all).

Why you would sunder a kobold's weapon when you can bring him down with one strike is beyond me