Stacking Bonuses

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

PoJo72

Jan 28, 2015 7:19:59

A couple quick questions about bonuses and damage.

 

  1. If a player uses a +1 arrow with a +1 magic longbow, do they get a +2 bonus or is it either/or?
  2. If a monster is resistant to piercing damage from non-magical weapons, will a mundane arrow shot from a magic longbow result in full damage or half damage?

 

Thanks

#2

Yunru

Jan 28, 2015 7:22:46

1. They stack. Like wise Rod of the Pact Keeper and Wand of the War Mage, or Ring of Defense and Cloak of Defense, stack.

2. Not a clue.

#3

paulstrait

Jan 28, 2015 7:25:56

PoJo72 wrote:
#4

PoJo72

Jan 28, 2015 7:27:17

Awesome.

 

Thanks for the lightning quick responses.

#5

QwertyAzerty

Jan 29, 2015 6:48:24

The bow ADD his magical property to the arrow (otherwise what is the point of a magical bow?) If the arrow already have magical property, then they add together (making archer potentielly the most abusive weapon user, specially in a setting with custom made magic item)

 

So a dragonbane bow shooting a dragonslaying arrow will add the dragonslaying (extre 3d6 damage IIRC) twice, so adding 6d6 damage against dragon.

a Keen bow (you crit when you roll 19 or 20) with vorpal arrow (cut the head of the target when you crit) then you cut the head of the target when rolling 19-20

a bow +1 of lightning (+2d6lightning) with an arrow +1 of fire (+2d6fire) then your arrow will deal +2+4d6 damage.

#6

Kalani

Jan 29, 2015 7:10:51

As a rule, everything stacks in 5E unless it specifically says otherwise. The only such rule that I am aware of are the rules for determining Armor Class. Use one formula to determine your armor class, after which you add any static modifiers to the result.

 

Choose one of the following 

  • Normal: 10+Armor+Shield+Dex (+0, +2, or +X)
  • Mage Armor: 13+Dex+Shield
  • Draconic Resilience: 13+Dex+Shield
  • Unarmored Defense: 10+Dex+Wis
  • Unarmored Defense: 10+Dex+Con+Shield
  • Natural Armor: Static value based on creature.
  • Barkskin: The greater of 16 or your normal AC
  • etc

Bracers of Defense*, Rings of Protection, the shield spell, etc all add static modifiers to the result.

 

*Stacks with mage armor, unarmored defense (sans shield), natural armor, draconic resilience and barkskin

#7

Illithidbix

Jan 29, 2015 10:58:30

The rules don't actually specify (To my knowledge) about normal arrows from magic bows overcomming non-magical Damage resistance/immunity.

But the majority of people seem to assume it does. (So do I).

 

It could be an "upto DM" choice thing if they really wanted to make nonmagical damage resistance a big thing in their campaign and wanted to keep a tight lid on the number of magic weapons floating about. (You have a silver dagger and 7 magic arrows...)

 

- There are far fewer bonuses in 5E, so assume things stack unless they specify otherwise.

#8

Jamwes

Jan 29, 2015 11:11:06

QwertyAzerty wrote:
(Reply to #6)

Yunru

Kalani wrote:
#10

jonathonhawke

Jan 29, 2015 16:36:59

Illithidbix wrote:
(Reply to #10)

AaronOfBarbaria

jonathonhawke wrote: