Confusion about Damage Reduction [Archive] - Wizards Community

Confusion about Damage Reduction [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Elussan of the Bow
01-22-06, 11:02 AM My players and I got into a conversation during our game last night about whether or not touch attacks ignore damage reduction. I was in total disbelief, since I'd never heard such a thing. I allowed the players' Wraithstrike spell to continue to hack apart my monster, ignoring its DR 10/adamantine since the claim was backed up by other players.

Then I read the DMG, page 292, and it says:
"Damage reduction does not negate touch attacks..." which is very vague, to me. Does this mean you can still make touch attacks against the creature and damage it normally after its damage reduction, or does it mean touch attack damage bypasses all damage reduction?

Please help. I'd like to get this settled before my next session since it involves an iron golem who I'd rather not see torn asunder by a dagger with the Wraithstrike effect on it.
(Psi)SeveredHead
01-22-06, 11:39 AM My players and I got into a conversation during our game last night about whether or not touch attacks ignore damage reduction. I was in total disbelief, since I'd never heard such a thing. I allowed the players' Wraithstrike spell to continue to hack apart my monster, ignoring its DR 10/adamantine since the claim was backed up by other players.

Then I read the DMG, page 292, and it says:
"Damage reduction does not negate touch attacks..." which is very vague, to me. Does this mean you can still make touch attacks against the creature and damage it normally after its damage reduction, or does it mean touch attack damage bypasses all damage reduction?

Please help. I'd like to get this settled before my next session since it involves an iron golem who I'd rather not see torn asunder by a dagger with the Wraithstrike effect on it.

Touch attacks ignore DR. So yes, they could rip it apart. I don't know what book Wraithstrike is in, but it might not be balanced. Give the golem back-up, and seriously, iron golems are actually pretty nasty for golems.

There's a psionic feat called Deep Impact, that lets you resolve an attack like a touch attack, but specifically says DR applies.
LordofNightmares
01-22-06, 11:48 AM Becase Touch attacks are magic or psionic energy attacks, and damage reduction does not stop energy attacks.

Remember Golmes are immune to all spells that allow spell resistance that are not specifically listed in the Iron Golem's MM profile.
Elussan of the Bow
01-22-06, 08:25 PM Okay, that kinda clears things up. Thanks guys! Hopefully they use up all of their wraithstrike spellslots before they get to the golem...

Thanks again!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Elussan of the Bow 01-22-06, 11:02 AM	My players and I got into a conversation during our game last night about whether or not touch attacks ignore damage reduction. I was in total disbelief, since I'd never heard such a thing. I allowed the players' Wraithstrike spell to continue to hack apart my monster, ignoring its DR 10/adamantine since the claim was backed up by other players. Then I read the DMG, page 292, and it says: "Damage reduction does not negate touch attacks..." which is very vague, to me. Does this mean you can still make touch attacks against the creature and damage it normally after its damage reduction, or does it mean touch attack damage bypasses all damage reduction? Please help. I'd like to get this settled before my next session since it involves an iron golem who I'd rather not see torn asunder by a dagger with the Wraithstrike effect on it.
(Psi)SeveredHead 01-22-06, 11:39 AM	My players and I got into a conversation during our game last night about whether or not touch attacks ignore damage reduction. I was in total disbelief, since I'd never heard such a thing. I allowed the players' Wraithstrike spell to continue to hack apart my monster, ignoring its DR 10/adamantine since the claim was backed up by other players. Then I read the DMG, page 292, and it says: "Damage reduction does not negate touch attacks..." which is very vague, to me. Does this mean you can still make touch attacks against the creature and damage it normally after its damage reduction, or does it mean touch attack damage bypasses all damage reduction? Please help. I'd like to get this settled before my next session since it involves an iron golem who I'd rather not see torn asunder by a dagger with the Wraithstrike effect on it. Touch attacks ignore DR. So yes, they could rip it apart. I don't know what book Wraithstrike is in, but it might not be balanced. Give the golem back-up, and seriously, iron golems are actually pretty nasty for golems. There's a psionic feat called Deep Impact, that lets you resolve an attack like a touch attack, but specifically says DR applies.
LordofNightmares 01-22-06, 11:48 AM	Becase Touch attacks are magic or psionic energy attacks, and damage reduction does not stop energy attacks. Remember Golmes are immune to all spells that allow spell resistance that are not specifically listed in the Iron Golem's MM profile.
Elussan of the Bow 01-22-06, 08:25 PM	Okay, that kinda clears things up. Thanks guys! Hopefully they use up all of their wraithstrike spellslots before they get to the golem... Thanks again!