bypassing DR question [Archive] - Wizards Community

bypassing DR question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
7days
04-07-06, 10:19 PM Quick question. If a PC has DR 5/magic, does a creature whose natural attacks are considered evil and chaotic bypass the PC's DR with a natural attack? Originally, I thought it would, but the more I think about it, and look into it, I don't think it does. Because if the PC with DR 5/magic made a natural attack against a foe with DR 5/cold iron or good, it wouldn't bypass the foe's DR would it? Any help?
Bulletproof_Condom
04-07-06, 10:23 PM There is no hierarchy in 3.5 Damage Reduction. Each type of damage reduction is a completely separate property.

DR/magic can only be bypassed by a magic weapon. The natural attacks of a creature with DR/cold iron would not bypass DR/magic.
Nom
04-08-06, 12:56 AM DR/magic can only be bypassed by a magic weapon.\Specifically, a weapon of +1 or greater enhancement.
ShinAkuma2
04-08-06, 08:04 AM Or, by the natural weapons of a nother creature with DR/Magic.

I think that rule should apply to more types of DR.
7days
04-08-06, 09:38 AM Thanks for your help everyone. After posting I looked into it more and came to the same conclusion myself. This confirms it.
Nom
04-08-06, 06:46 PM Or, by the natural weapons of a nother creature with DR/Magic.Well, that's not actually a magic weapon, but does penetrate DR in the same way. :)
I think that rule should apply to more types of DR.Which, specifically? It applies to DR/magic and DR/epic.

DR/alignment already has similar rules, but based on the alignment subtype of the attacking creature. This alignment applies to manufactured weapon attacks as well as natural. Of course, creatures with DR/evil are usually good, not evil, so it doesn't really make sense to treat them as evil for overcoming DR.

Most of the physical damage subtypes aren't appropriate either. A zombie's attacks don't suddenly become slashing just because the zombie has DR/slashing. Similarly, fey and the like hate cold iron and consider it poisonous (thus DR/cold iron); how would it make sense for them to be treated as cold iron when attacking?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
7days 04-07-06, 10:19 PM	Quick question. If a PC has DR 5/magic, does a creature whose natural attacks are considered evil and chaotic bypass the PC's DR with a natural attack? Originally, I thought it would, but the more I think about it, and look into it, I don't think it does. Because if the PC with DR 5/magic made a natural attack against a foe with DR 5/cold iron or good, it wouldn't bypass the foe's DR would it? Any help?
Bulletproof_Condom 04-07-06, 10:23 PM	There is no hierarchy in 3.5 Damage Reduction. Each type of damage reduction is a completely separate property. DR/magic can only be bypassed by a magic weapon. The natural attacks of a creature with DR/cold iron would not bypass DR/magic.
Nom 04-08-06, 12:56 AM	DR/magic can only be bypassed by a magic weapon.\Specifically, a weapon of +1 or greater enhancement.
ShinAkuma2 04-08-06, 08:04 AM	Or, by the natural weapons of a nother creature with DR/Magic. I think that rule should apply to more types of DR.
7days 04-08-06, 09:38 AM	Thanks for your help everyone. After posting I looked into it more and came to the same conclusion myself. This confirms it.
Nom 04-08-06, 06:46 PM	Or, by the natural weapons of a nother creature with DR/Magic.Well, that's not actually a magic weapon, but does penetrate DR in the same way. :) I think that rule should apply to more types of DR.Which, specifically? It applies to DR/magic and DR/epic. DR/alignment already has similar rules, but based on the alignment subtype of the attacking creature. This alignment applies to manufactured weapon attacks as well as natural. Of course, creatures with DR/evil are usually good, not evil, so it doesn't really make sense to treat them as evil for overcoming DR. Most of the physical damage subtypes aren't appropriate either. A zombie's attacks don't suddenly become slashing just because the zombie has DR/slashing. Similarly, fey and the like hate cold iron and consider it poisonous (thus DR/cold iron); how would it make sense for them to be treated as cold iron when attacking?