Damage Reduction - Spells [Archive] - Wizards Community

Damage Reduction - Spells [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Friss_Kervrask
02-02-06, 01:59 PM My question is quite simple : If I have a damage reduction of 3/- , are spells affected by the damage reduction. My friends say ''no'' but I want to have experts opinion.

Thanks
Shaggy_Shaggs
02-02-06, 02:18 PM damage reduction (DR): A special defense that allows a creature to ignore a set amount of damage from most weapons, unarmed attacks, or natural weapons, but not from energy attacks, spells, spell-like abilities, and supernatural abilities.
That's the very first line of the description of the damage reduction ability.
Kresalak
02-02-06, 02:19 PM In most cases, no. In the case of a spell that does physical (slashing, piercing, or bludgeoning) damage, I'm not so sure. I think it would apply in such a case, but don't quote me on it.
Mit Ratten Lebt
02-02-06, 02:36 PM It would not block even that unless the damage was a side effect of the spell and not caused directly by the spell (thus being mundane in nature)
Sir Knight
02-02-06, 03:54 PM That is correct. DR only applies to weapons. Re-read the DR section in the DMG and PHB and MM. I missed it too and applied it to all attacks for over two years. :)
CowMasterTrojan
02-02-06, 04:31 PM There is a spell in the complete arcane that allows you to throw your weapon in a straight line and it hits everyone in that line. Does DR apply to that? Its a spell effect but the damage is coming from a weapon.
Mit Ratten Lebt
02-02-06, 04:50 PM DR applies as the spell is simply propelling the weapon.

The side effect of the spell, which is getting hit with the weapon, is a mundane effect and so standard rules apply where appropriate.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Friss_Kervrask 02-02-06, 01:59 PM	My question is quite simple : If I have a damage reduction of 3/- , are spells affected by the damage reduction. My friends say ''no'' but I want to have experts opinion. Thanks
Shaggy_Shaggs 02-02-06, 02:18 PM	damage reduction (DR): A special defense that allows a creature to ignore a set amount of damage from most weapons, unarmed attacks, or natural weapons, but not from energy attacks, spells, spell-like abilities, and supernatural abilities. That's the very first line of the description of the damage reduction ability.
Kresalak 02-02-06, 02:19 PM	In most cases, no. In the case of a spell that does physical (slashing, piercing, or bludgeoning) damage, I'm not so sure. I think it would apply in such a case, but don't quote me on it.
Mit Ratten Lebt 02-02-06, 02:36 PM	It would not block even that unless the damage was a side effect of the spell and not caused directly by the spell (thus being mundane in nature)
Sir Knight 02-02-06, 03:54 PM	That is correct. DR only applies to weapons. Re-read the DR section in the DMG and PHB and MM. I missed it too and applied it to all attacks for over two years. :)
CowMasterTrojan 02-02-06, 04:31 PM	There is a spell in the complete arcane that allows you to throw your weapon in a straight line and it hits everyone in that line. Does DR apply to that? Its a spell effect but the damage is coming from a weapon.
Mit Ratten Lebt 02-02-06, 04:50 PM	DR applies as the spell is simply propelling the weapon. The side effect of the spell, which is getting hit with the weapon, is a mundane effect and so standard rules apply where appropriate.