All swallowed up. [Archive] - Wizards Community

All swallowed up. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Archangel_Tyrael
02-28-07, 04:44 AM So, say the worst happens and you get swallowed by a dragon. You start to take acid and crushing damage as you try to slash your way out. My question is: what does the acid do to your weapon? What if the weapon has a +1 or higher bonus on it? Does hardness apply? I'm just not sure and my group has wanted an explanation for some time. Your help is appreciated.
KurenaiYami
02-28-07, 04:57 AM So, say the worst happens and you get swallowed by a dragon. You start to take acid and crushing damage as you try to slash your way out. My question is: what does the acid do to your weapon? What if the weapon has a +1 or higher bonus on it? Does hardness apply? I'm just not sure and my group has wanted an explanation for some time. Your help is appreciated.

By RAW?

Your weapons are fine. Nothing in the swallow whole entry indicates that your items take damage. The only way (IIRC) that your weapons will be in trouble is if they are sundered or you critically fail a saving throw against a spell.

Of course it is not uncommon (in my experience) for a new DM to rule that the same damage is done to your items, but they normally soon realize that that raises the CR of the encounter an astounding amount.
Potato Weasel
02-28-07, 07:26 AM Also remember that generally you can't get swallowed by something unless its at least two sizes larger than you. I don't think there are any exceptions to this, but i may be wrong.
Archangel_Tyrael
02-28-07, 05:09 PM Huh, could have sworn I read something somewhere about acid damage to weapons...guess that explains why I could never find it again. :D
Thanks guys.
FallenWyvern
02-28-07, 05:46 PM Huh, could have sworn I read something somewhere about acid damage to weapons...guess that explains why I could never find it again. :D
Thanks guys.

Acid ignores hardness, WHEN it affects items
KurenaiYami
02-28-07, 07:01 PM Also remember that generally you can't get swallowed by something unless its at least two sizes larger than you. I don't think there are any exceptions to this, but i may be wrong.

It depends on the specific extraordinary ability of the monster. I believe there are a few that can swallow those that are one size category smaller, though I could be mistaken.
Archangel_Tyrael
02-28-07, 10:51 PM What about ooze acid then?
Acid (Ex)
The creature secretes a digestive acid that dissolves organic material and metal quickly, but does not affect stone. Any melee hit or constrict attack deals acid damage, and the opponent’s armor and clothing dissolve and become useless immediately unless they succeed on DC 21 Reflex saves. A metal or wooden weapon that strikes a black pudding also dissolves immediately unless it succeeds on a DC 21 Reflex save. The save DCs are Constitution-based.
The pudding’s acidic touch deals 21 points of damage per round to wooden or metal objects, but the ooze must remain in contact with the object for 1 full round to deal this damage.

It doesn't specifically make a reference to magic items. Is there a difference at all with the ooze?
RuckusFox
02-28-07, 10:54 PM By the rules above, I would say treat it similarily as if you dropped a weapon into magma for damage...only instead of turning into a piece of slag, it will obviously dissintegrate
Vicerious
03-01-07, 04:57 PM Damaging Magic Items
A magic item doesn’t need to make a saving throw unless it is unattended, it is specifically targeted by the effect, or its wielder rolls a natural 1 on his save. Magic items should always get a saving throw against spells that might deal damage to them— even against attacks from which a nonmagical item would normally get no chance to save. Magic items use the same saving throw bonus for all saves, no matter what the type (Fortitude, Reflex, or Will). A magic item’s saving throw bonus equals 2 + one-half its caster level (round down). The only exceptions to this are intelligent magic items, which make Will saves based on their own Wisdom scores.

Magic items, unless otherwise noted, take damage as nonmagical items of the same sort. A damaged magic item continues to function, but if it is destroyed, all its magical power is lost.

Also,
Hardness and Hit Points
Each +1 of enhancement bonus adds 2 to a weapon’s or shield’s hardness and +10 to its hit points.

So, magic items are more durable than their non-magical counterparts, but are not exempt from any effect that would damage a normal item unless specifically stated otherwise in its description.
slashrat
03-01-07, 06:24 PM I wouldn't consider any stomach acid that allows you to focus on slashing your way out (as opposed to writhing around in pain) as strong enough to damage equipment to any measurable degree.
jadehawk
03-01-07, 06:48 PM I would say that while the character is wearing and holding items, treat the objects as protected. It doesn't sound completely rational, but it does save on excruciating damage checks and it is in keeping with all sorts of spell and splash effects. Objects don't take damage when attended unless they are targeted (or maybe when you roll a natural 1 on a saving throw...is that a rule?).

That being said, if your character drops unconscious or dead inside the belly, I would start treating his gear as unattended items and start dealing them damage (as well as acid damage to the character's carcus).

P.S. - If/When the character gets out, have him roll a wisdom check to start saving up gold for a ring of freedom of movement.
icuall
03-02-07, 10:14 AM Don't forget the lack of air and lack of light.

The PC has to hold his breath or suffocate.:weep:

The PC has to start cutting his way out the correct way as well. If he is disoriented and does not go the most direct route it will add rounds to getting out. :eek:
getgoldcardsoul
03-02-07, 02:22 PM I wouldn't consider any stomach acid that allows you to focus on slashing your way out (as opposed to writhing around in pain) as strong enough to damage equipment to any measurable degree.I agree with this to an extent. There's some flavor text explaining that dragons' stomachs are like ultra-efficient furnaces and can digest even inorganic material. But that's just flavor text and the rules* don't account for the equipment, so we can just say "it takes longer" for inorganic material.

It raises a few interesting questions... like do dragons even need to poop? Do their digestive tracks just end at stomach?

Such brilliant questions... :D

Edit: *Do dragons even have the Swallow Whole ability? I don't see it on the online SRD. I mean, I wouldn't see why a colossal one couldn't, but then you'd have to decide the digestive track's AC and HP, as well as how much damage was done.
Zephania
03-03-07, 11:48 AM It raises a few interesting questions... like do dragons even need to poop? Do their digestive tracks just end at stomach?

Such brilliant questions... :D

to the best of my knowledge, no. I think its actually in the Draconomicon...it says extra stuff is used to create the stuff used in their breath weapons...can someone double check this?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Archangel_Tyrael 02-28-07, 04:44 AM	So, say the worst happens and you get swallowed by a dragon. You start to take acid and crushing damage as you try to slash your way out. My question is: what does the acid do to your weapon? What if the weapon has a +1 or higher bonus on it? Does hardness apply? I'm just not sure and my group has wanted an explanation for some time. Your help is appreciated.
KurenaiYami 02-28-07, 04:57 AM	So, say the worst happens and you get swallowed by a dragon. You start to take acid and crushing damage as you try to slash your way out. My question is: what does the acid do to your weapon? What if the weapon has a +1 or higher bonus on it? Does hardness apply? I'm just not sure and my group has wanted an explanation for some time. Your help is appreciated. By RAW? Your weapons are fine. Nothing in the swallow whole entry indicates that your items take damage. The only way (IIRC) that your weapons will be in trouble is if they are sundered or you critically fail a saving throw against a spell. Of course it is not uncommon (in my experience) for a new DM to rule that the same damage is done to your items, but they normally soon realize that that raises the CR of the encounter an astounding amount.
Potato Weasel 02-28-07, 07:26 AM	Also remember that generally you can't get swallowed by something unless its at least two sizes larger than you. I don't think there are any exceptions to this, but i may be wrong.
Archangel_Tyrael 02-28-07, 05:09 PM	Huh, could have sworn I read something somewhere about acid damage to weapons...guess that explains why I could never find it again. :D Thanks guys.
FallenWyvern 02-28-07, 05:46 PM	Huh, could have sworn I read something somewhere about acid damage to weapons...guess that explains why I could never find it again. :D Thanks guys. Acid ignores hardness, WHEN it affects items
KurenaiYami 02-28-07, 07:01 PM	Also remember that generally you can't get swallowed by something unless its at least two sizes larger than you. I don't think there are any exceptions to this, but i may be wrong. It depends on the specific extraordinary ability of the monster. I believe there are a few that can swallow those that are one size category smaller, though I could be mistaken.
Archangel_Tyrael 02-28-07, 10:51 PM	What about ooze acid then? Acid (Ex) The creature secretes a digestive acid that dissolves organic material and metal quickly, but does not affect stone. Any melee hit or constrict attack deals acid damage, and the opponent’s armor and clothing dissolve and become useless immediately unless they succeed on DC 21 Reflex saves. A metal or wooden weapon that strikes a black pudding also dissolves immediately unless it succeeds on a DC 21 Reflex save. The save DCs are Constitution-based. The pudding’s acidic touch deals 21 points of damage per round to wooden or metal objects, but the ooze must remain in contact with the object for 1 full round to deal this damage. It doesn't specifically make a reference to magic items. Is there a difference at all with the ooze?
RuckusFox 02-28-07, 10:54 PM	By the rules above, I would say treat it similarily as if you dropped a weapon into magma for damage...only instead of turning into a piece of slag, it will obviously dissintegrate
Vicerious 03-01-07, 04:57 PM	Damaging Magic Items A magic item doesn’t need to make a saving throw unless it is unattended, it is specifically targeted by the effect, or its wielder rolls a natural 1 on his save. Magic items should always get a saving throw against spells that might deal damage to them— even against attacks from which a nonmagical item would normally get no chance to save. Magic items use the same saving throw bonus for all saves, no matter what the type (Fortitude, Reflex, or Will). A magic item’s saving throw bonus equals 2 + one-half its caster level (round down). The only exceptions to this are intelligent magic items, which make Will saves based on their own Wisdom scores. Magic items, unless otherwise noted, take damage as nonmagical items of the same sort. A damaged magic item continues to function, but if it is destroyed, all its magical power is lost. Also, Hardness and Hit Points Each +1 of enhancement bonus adds 2 to a weapon’s or shield’s hardness and +10 to its hit points. So, magic items are more durable than their non-magical counterparts, but are not exempt from any effect that would damage a normal item unless specifically stated otherwise in its description.
slashrat 03-01-07, 06:24 PM	I wouldn't consider any stomach acid that allows you to focus on slashing your way out (as opposed to writhing around in pain) as strong enough to damage equipment to any measurable degree.
jadehawk 03-01-07, 06:48 PM	I would say that while the character is wearing and holding items, treat the objects as protected. It doesn't sound completely rational, but it does save on excruciating damage checks and it is in keeping with all sorts of spell and splash effects. Objects don't take damage when attended unless they are targeted (or maybe when you roll a natural 1 on a saving throw...is that a rule?). That being said, if your character drops unconscious or dead inside the belly, I would start treating his gear as unattended items and start dealing them damage (as well as acid damage to the character's carcus). P.S. - If/When the character gets out, have him roll a wisdom check to start saving up gold for a ring of freedom of movement.
icuall 03-02-07, 10:14 AM	Don't forget the lack of air and lack of light. The PC has to hold his breath or suffocate.:weep: The PC has to start cutting his way out the correct way as well. If he is disoriented and does not go the most direct route it will add rounds to getting out. :eek:
getgoldcardsoul 03-02-07, 02:22 PM	I wouldn't consider any stomach acid that allows you to focus on slashing your way out (as opposed to writhing around in pain) as strong enough to damage equipment to any measurable degree.I agree with this to an extent. There's some flavor text explaining that dragons' stomachs are like ultra-efficient furnaces and can digest even inorganic material. But that's just flavor text and the rules* don't account for the equipment, so we can just say "it takes longer" for inorganic material. It raises a few interesting questions... like do dragons even need to poop? Do their digestive tracks just end at stomach? Such brilliant questions... :D Edit: *Do dragons even have the Swallow Whole ability? I don't see it on the online SRD. I mean, I wouldn't see why a colossal one couldn't, but then you'd have to decide the digestive track's AC and HP, as well as how much damage was done.
Zephania 03-03-07, 11:48 AM	It raises a few interesting questions... like do dragons even need to poop? Do their digestive tracks just end at stomach? Such brilliant questions... :D to the best of my knowledge, no. I think its actually in the Draconomicon...it says extra stuff is used to create the stuff used in their breath weapons...can someone double check this?