Can spells deal subdual damage? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Can spells deal subdual damage? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Candin
06-28-07, 01:28 AM I'm just curious if it's possible to designate a spell to do subdual instead of lethal damage. I can't find a definitive answer in the PHB. I could be missing it though.

I'm looking for ways to incapacitate people without killing them. I have a couple spells already (hold monster, for example), but I'm wondering if I can have, say, black tentacles, deal subdual damage.
Ashen_Child
06-28-07, 01:37 AM There is no way using the PHB, but there is a metamagic feat that does this (and rules for "pulling" your spells, which doesn't really help) both in complete Arcane.
Kouk
06-28-07, 03:01 AM The only way I am familiar with is the aforementioned Nonlethal Substitution metamagic feat from Complete Arcane. You choose one type of energy, and then you can count spells of that type as dealing nonlethal damage rather than the normal energy (lethal) damage.

It takes a slot 1 level higher.
Mosyali
06-28-07, 09:02 AM I am afraid I do not know of additional ways for your current spells to do subdual spells, but there is a whole line of "Whelm" spells from Player's Handbook 2 that are designed to do just that.

They range in levels from 1-6 level spells.
Whelm - 1st level
Whelming Blast - 2nd level
Whelm, Mass - 4th level
Overwhelm - 6th level

I find that those four are really effective for incapatication. I recently played a Begulier that spammed that whole line, not much was standing and not shackled. XD
Thiez
06-28-07, 01:07 PM IIRC Complete Arcane allows for energy spells to deal subdual damage instead. In fact, my memory whispers you didn't even need a feat to do it.
was_fired
06-28-07, 02:32 PM Nah, they have a metamagic feat in the Complete Arcane for that.
Thiez
06-28-07, 05:50 PM Ah, I know now that I am mistaken. You are always allowed to deal subdual damage with spells that require an attack roll, taking a -4 penalty as usual. To deal subdual with other spells you do indeed need the Nonlethal Substitution feat from Complete Arcane, as other posters have already pointed out.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Candin 06-28-07, 01:28 AM	I'm just curious if it's possible to designate a spell to do subdual instead of lethal damage. I can't find a definitive answer in the PHB. I could be missing it though. I'm looking for ways to incapacitate people without killing them. I have a couple spells already (hold monster, for example), but I'm wondering if I can have, say, black tentacles, deal subdual damage.
Ashen_Child 06-28-07, 01:37 AM	There is no way using the PHB, but there is a metamagic feat that does this (and rules for "pulling" your spells, which doesn't really help) both in complete Arcane.
Kouk 06-28-07, 03:01 AM	The only way I am familiar with is the aforementioned Nonlethal Substitution metamagic feat from Complete Arcane. You choose one type of energy, and then you can count spells of that type as dealing nonlethal damage rather than the normal energy (lethal) damage. It takes a slot 1 level higher.
Mosyali 06-28-07, 09:02 AM	I am afraid I do not know of additional ways for your current spells to do subdual spells, but there is a whole line of "Whelm" spells from Player's Handbook 2 that are designed to do just that. They range in levels from 1-6 level spells. Whelm - 1st level Whelming Blast - 2nd level Whelm, Mass - 4th level Overwhelm - 6th level I find that those four are really effective for incapatication. I recently played a Begulier that spammed that whole line, not much was standing and not shackled. XD
Thiez 06-28-07, 01:07 PM	IIRC Complete Arcane allows for energy spells to deal subdual damage instead. In fact, my memory whispers you didn't even need a feat to do it.
was_fired 06-28-07, 02:32 PM	Nah, they have a metamagic feat in the Complete Arcane for that.
Thiez 06-28-07, 05:50 PM	Ah, I know now that I am mistaken. You are always allowed to deal subdual damage with spells that require an attack roll, taking a -4 penalty as usual. To deal subdual with other spells you do indeed need the Nonlethal Substitution feat from Complete Arcane, as other posters have already pointed out.