Damage reduction weapon [Archive] - Wizards Community

Damage reduction weapon [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Bladegeek
01-22-07, 12:51 PM In the magic and spells forum a topic that causes more arguments than most is a spell that does not have spell resistance. A lot of people think that any spell that does not have spell resistance and no save (see any orb spell) is way overpowered.

I was wondering if the same argument would ring true with weapons and damage reduction. For instance say a weapon that could adapt itself so that it overcame damage reduction regardless what the damage reduction was? If the enemy of said weapon was DR/sliver the weapon became silver. It the enemy was DR/lawful it became lawful….etc. Would that be over powered or not?
TheUnhallowed
01-22-07, 12:56 PM The.Unhallowed

They have that, actually. Don't recall where, but I think it was a +3 or so, and had to strike the creature once. After the first hit, it 'adapted', gaining the properties of whatever would overcome the Dr. So, not exactly what you're thinking, but not too incredibly overpowered.

Also, you shouldn't pay much attention to the people that go on about 'it's overpowered!', 'it's broken!' and all that jazz. There'll always be someone that thinks something is overpowered. Most of the time, it's not.

As to your actual question, I think that would be a bit much, unless (like above) you put a hefty cost to it.
Bladegeek
01-22-07, 01:00 PM I was just wondering and your right....I did not put much detail into it. I would say...in basic terms...that no it would not be overpowered because most bad guys with DR also have SR, energy immunity of some kind, and other defenses. I am one who does not think that much of anything RAW is so overpowered that any DM could not adjudicate it and make it work.
WinterPsionic
01-22-07, 01:03 PM There are actually several "things" that can do this.

Some adapt after X hits for just about anything. Some bypass a set of DR.

Also there are plenty of spell with No Save and No SR that aren't overpowered.

A weapon with the ability to bypass any DR however would probably be near Epic in level, a class that let you do it...no as much.(With the right feats a soulknife can come close with enough time and planning)
Inigo Carmine
01-22-07, 01:58 PM A spell that bypasses spell resistance is more akin to a weapon that always hits (instead of bypassing damage reduction).

If the spell is weak enough otherwise it could be balanced. I'm not very familiar with the orb spells as I ignore most of WotCs post-core offerings already on the basis that it's mostly poorly thought out unbalanced junk.
tarkin
01-22-07, 03:33 PM Power Attack away the DR.

It becomes a mere penalty to hit (-1 for every 2 DR, assuming you are using two handed weapons.)

Hm. New Weapon enchantment.
WinterPsionic
01-22-07, 06:50 PM Power Attack away the DR.

It becomes a mere penalty to hit (-1 for every 2 DR, assuming you are using two handed weapons.)

Hm. New Weapon enchantment.

....so because I can shot a fly out of the sky I can also slash through a Golem with a Toothpick?

That's a funny thought:D
CrimsonDeath
01-22-07, 09:33 PM No, a toothpick is a light weapon. You at least need a stick.
WinterPsionic
01-22-07, 09:49 PM No, a toothpick is a light weapon. You at least need a stick.

Wouldn't that need to be a pretty good sized stick? Like a large branch?
Bopple
01-22-07, 09:57 PM Surestriking(+1): for alignment DR
Morphing(+1): for damage type DR
Metalline(+2): for metal DR

From FR
bondious
01-22-07, 10:02 PM Well, you can come CLOSE to a weapon like that with the Sure Striking and Metalline abilities. The first one overcomes any alignment-based DR, and the other will change your metal weapon into any metal special material (or at least the ones in the core rules).

So, basically, a +1 Sure Striking Metalline Longsword will overcome any alignment, magical AND metal components to DR. The only thing REALLY that it won't overcome are the DR/-, and Epic DR, of course.

Anyhow, it comes pretty close, and they're only +3 worth of abilities, so not TOO expensive.

[Oh yeah, I forgot Morphing and the damage-type component...duh! Good call, Bopple, and it looks like you beat me to it!]
TonyStark
01-22-07, 11:35 PM Surestriking(+1): for alignment DR
Morphing(+1): for damage type DR
Metalline(+2): for metal DR

From FR

The ability you are looking for is:
Shadow Striking (+3 bonus) [page 155 in tome of magic]
"Activation : A shadow striking weapon automatically attunes itself to the target. When it strikes a target that has damage redustion, it adjusts itself to overcome the damage reductionof that creature."
"Effect : Shadow striking weapons draw on the reflectivenature of shadowto alter their nature and overcome damage reduction. a shadow striking weapon can adjust to emulate any alignment or substance required to overcome damage reduction.
A Shadow weapons attunement to a particular sort of damage reduction fades 1d4 minutes after the last time it made contact with the appropriate creature."
"Construction : Craft magic arms & armor, creation of the weapon must take place on the plane of shadow"

This is better because you dont have to know what to change your sure striking/metalline weapon to. cause if you have no knowledge skills, that weapon is not as effective. As GIJoe asys, knowing is half the battle! and that it changes automaticly, not making YOU to change, i dont remember if you have to use any type of action to change your sure striking/metalling weapon, but this definatly doesnt youse an acton of any type of yours.
Hope this helps a bit
runestar
01-23-07, 01:40 AM PGTF also has a pair of gloves which lets your weapons be treated as magic silver for overcoming dr.:)
bondious
01-23-07, 04:15 AM This is better because you dont have to know what to change your sure striking/metalline weapon to. cause if you have no knowledge skills, that weapon is not as effective. As GIJoe asys, knowing is half the battle! and that it changes automaticly, not making YOU to change, i dont remember if you have to use any type of action to change your sure striking/metalling weapon, but this definatly doesnt youse an acton of any type of yours.

That's a pretty cool ability. For the record, though, I'm pretty sure you're not allowed to post it here. It's probably a violation of the Code of Conduct (under the "posting of copyrighted material").

Anyhow, to clairify a little, Sure Striking automatically overcomes the alignment-based portion of the target's DR, but Metalline requires a standard action to change. And it is true that the character wielding a Metalline weapon would have to have some prior experience or a Knowledge check (or at least access to a character with such) to properly identify what kind of material that will best harm his/her foe.

The benefit of Metalline, though, is that it turns your weapon INTO another kind of weapon, instead of just emulating it. Say you need an adamantine axe to bust down a door...THERE YOU GO! It provides the benefits the OP asked for, something that would help overcome DR, and also has some utilitarian uses as well.

In any event, though, either the Shadow Striking OR the combination of Metalline and Sure Striking would work just fine.
mvincent
01-23-07, 02:00 PM a toothpick is a light weapon. You at least need a stick.To a sufficiently small character a toothpick could be a two-handed weapon ; )
Sergikins
01-23-07, 06:17 PM not only that, but if they are that small, they can easily swap out their whole BAB to powerattck adn still hit.

the problem would be getting a 13 Str.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Bladegeek 01-22-07, 12:51 PM	In the magic and spells forum a topic that causes more arguments than most is a spell that does not have spell resistance. A lot of people think that any spell that does not have spell resistance and no save (see any orb spell) is way overpowered. I was wondering if the same argument would ring true with weapons and damage reduction. For instance say a weapon that could adapt itself so that it overcame damage reduction regardless what the damage reduction was? If the enemy of said weapon was DR/sliver the weapon became silver. It the enemy was DR/lawful it became lawful….etc. Would that be over powered or not?
TheUnhallowed 01-22-07, 12:56 PM	The.Unhallowed They have that, actually. Don't recall where, but I think it was a +3 or so, and had to strike the creature once. After the first hit, it 'adapted', gaining the properties of whatever would overcome the Dr. So, not exactly what you're thinking, but not too incredibly overpowered. Also, you shouldn't pay much attention to the people that go on about 'it's overpowered!', 'it's broken!' and all that jazz. There'll always be someone that thinks something is overpowered. Most of the time, it's not. As to your actual question, I think that would be a bit much, unless (like above) you put a hefty cost to it.
Bladegeek 01-22-07, 01:00 PM	I was just wondering and your right....I did not put much detail into it. I would say...in basic terms...that no it would not be overpowered because most bad guys with DR also have SR, energy immunity of some kind, and other defenses. I am one who does not think that much of anything RAW is so overpowered that any DM could not adjudicate it and make it work.
WinterPsionic 01-22-07, 01:03 PM	There are actually several "things" that can do this. Some adapt after X hits for just about anything. Some bypass a set of DR. Also there are plenty of spell with No Save and No SR that aren't overpowered. A weapon with the ability to bypass any DR however would probably be near Epic in level, a class that let you do it...no as much.(With the right feats a soulknife can come close with enough time and planning)
Inigo Carmine 01-22-07, 01:58 PM	A spell that bypasses spell resistance is more akin to a weapon that always hits (instead of bypassing damage reduction). If the spell is weak enough otherwise it could be balanced. I'm not very familiar with the orb spells as I ignore most of WotCs post-core offerings already on the basis that it's mostly poorly thought out unbalanced junk.
tarkin 01-22-07, 03:33 PM	Power Attack away the DR. It becomes a mere penalty to hit (-1 for every 2 DR, assuming you are using two handed weapons.) Hm. New Weapon enchantment.
WinterPsionic 01-22-07, 06:50 PM	Power Attack away the DR. It becomes a mere penalty to hit (-1 for every 2 DR, assuming you are using two handed weapons.) Hm. New Weapon enchantment. ....so because I can shot a fly out of the sky I can also slash through a Golem with a Toothpick? That's a funny thought:D
CrimsonDeath 01-22-07, 09:33 PM	No, a toothpick is a light weapon. You at least need a stick.
WinterPsionic 01-22-07, 09:49 PM	No, a toothpick is a light weapon. You at least need a stick. Wouldn't that need to be a pretty good sized stick? Like a large branch?
Bopple 01-22-07, 09:57 PM	Surestriking(+1): for alignment DR Morphing(+1): for damage type DR Metalline(+2): for metal DR From FR
bondious 01-22-07, 10:02 PM	Well, you can come CLOSE to a weapon like that with the Sure Striking and Metalline abilities. The first one overcomes any alignment-based DR, and the other will change your metal weapon into any metal special material (or at least the ones in the core rules). So, basically, a +1 Sure Striking Metalline Longsword will overcome any alignment, magical AND metal components to DR. The only thing REALLY that it won't overcome are the DR/-, and Epic DR, of course. Anyhow, it comes pretty close, and they're only +3 worth of abilities, so not TOO expensive. [Oh yeah, I forgot Morphing and the damage-type component...duh! Good call, Bopple, and it looks like you beat me to it!]
TonyStark 01-22-07, 11:35 PM	Surestriking(+1): for alignment DR Morphing(+1): for damage type DR Metalline(+2): for metal DR From FR The ability you are looking for is: Shadow Striking (+3 bonus) [page 155 in tome of magic] "Activation : A shadow striking weapon automatically attunes itself to the target. When it strikes a target that has damage redustion, it adjusts itself to overcome the damage reductionof that creature." "Effect : Shadow striking weapons draw on the reflectivenature of shadowto alter their nature and overcome damage reduction. a shadow striking weapon can adjust to emulate any alignment or substance required to overcome damage reduction. A Shadow weapons attunement to a particular sort of damage reduction fades 1d4 minutes after the last time it made contact with the appropriate creature." "Construction : Craft magic arms & armor, creation of the weapon must take place on the plane of shadow" This is better because you dont have to know what to change your sure striking/metalline weapon to. cause if you have no knowledge skills, that weapon is not as effective. As GIJoe asys, knowing is half the battle! and that it changes automaticly, not making YOU to change, i dont remember if you have to use any type of action to change your sure striking/metalling weapon, but this definatly doesnt youse an acton of any type of yours. Hope this helps a bit
runestar 01-23-07, 01:40 AM	PGTF also has a pair of gloves which lets your weapons be treated as magic silver for overcoming dr.:)
bondious 01-23-07, 04:15 AM	This is better because you dont have to know what to change your sure striking/metalline weapon to. cause if you have no knowledge skills, that weapon is not as effective. As GIJoe asys, knowing is half the battle! and that it changes automaticly, not making YOU to change, i dont remember if you have to use any type of action to change your sure striking/metalling weapon, but this definatly doesnt youse an acton of any type of yours. That's a pretty cool ability. For the record, though, I'm pretty sure you're not allowed to post it here. It's probably a violation of the Code of Conduct (under the "posting of copyrighted material"). Anyhow, to clairify a little, Sure Striking automatically overcomes the alignment-based portion of the target's DR, but Metalline requires a standard action to change. And it is true that the character wielding a Metalline weapon would have to have some prior experience or a Knowledge check (or at least access to a character with such) to properly identify what kind of material that will best harm his/her foe. The benefit of Metalline, though, is that it turns your weapon INTO another kind of weapon, instead of just emulating it. Say you need an adamantine axe to bust down a door...THERE YOU GO! It provides the benefits the OP asked for, something that would help overcome DR, and also has some utilitarian uses as well. In any event, though, either the Shadow Striking OR the combination of Metalline and Sure Striking would work just fine.
mvincent 01-23-07, 02:00 PM	a toothpick is a light weapon. You at least need a stick.To a sufficiently small character a toothpick could be a two-handed weapon ; )
Sergikins 01-23-07, 06:17 PM	not only that, but if they are that small, they can easily swap out their whole BAB to powerattck adn still hit. the problem would be getting a 13 Str.