Damage mechanics: Difference between revisions

}}[[File:1d4 + 1d6 Poison.png|right]]A single attack, spell, trap, or other harmful effect can often result in multiple [[Damage Rolls]]. Determining the resulting damage from these various rolls can be difficult due to hidden mechanics which are commonly referred to by the community as '''damage "sources"''' and '''damage "riders".''' The term damage "instances" is sometimes used in place of damage "sources," but for the purpose of this page the only terms to be used are damage source(s) and damage rider(s). The game does not inform players what is a damage source vs. what is a damage rider, or how these two interact with each other. This page describes the mechanical differences between damage sources and damage riders, how they interact, and lists which effects and abilities fall into each category.

A '''damage source''' could be described as what initializes the damage. Examples include striking a target with your [[Weapons|weapon]], a [[Spells|spell]], or thrown items such as an {{SmItemIcon|Alchemist's Fire}}. Damage sources often require the use of an action (e.g. throwing an object such as a [[Grenades|grenade]]), bonus action (e.g. making an attack with your offhand weapon while dual wielding), or reaction (e.g. the {{SAI|Hellish Rebuke}} spell).

A '''damage rider''' is something which adds additional damage onto the damage source. It can only be present in the event there is an applicable damage source for it to "ride along" with, hence the name of a damage rider. Examples of damage riders include the {{SAI|Hex}} spell adding damage to the damage from a Warlock's {{SAI|Eldritch Blast}} or weapon attacks, [[coatings]] applied to weapons providing additional damage to a weapon attack, a 6th level {{Class|Draconic Bloodline}} applying their [[Elemental Affinity: Damage|elemental affinity]] to a spell of the appropriate [[Damage Types|damage type]], or a raging{{Class|Barbarian|25}} adding rage damage to their weapon attacks. Many damage riders are gained from passives or other forms of buffs. Any eligible damage riders from a damaging effect will be applied to a damage source which is a part of that damaging effect.

==Damage Riders treated as Damage Sources (DRS)==

===Example Calculation===

A character with 18 Strength, the [[Tavern Brawler]] Feat, {{SAI|Lightning Charges (Condition)}}, and the {{SmItemIcon|Ring of Flinging}} uses the {{SmItemIcon|Returning Pike}} to make a thrown weapon attack against a target which is affected by {{SAI|Hex}}.

*Thrown weapon attack using the {{SmItemIcon|Returning Pike}} applies 1d10 (damage die) + 1 (weapon enchantment) + 4 (Strength modifier) piercing damage

*The [[Tavern Brawler]] feat allows characters to add their Strength modifier an additional time to damage rolls when using unarmed strikes, improvised weapons, or thrown weapons. When applied to melee attacks this damage bonus is treated as a damage rider. But as of [[Patch Notes|Patch 3]] with thrown weapons, this +4 piercing damage from the character's strength score being applied a second time due to the tavern brawler feat being treated as a damage source.

'''Calculating total damage:'''

To determine the total damage applied take each DS and DRS. Then apply the damage riders onto each of these. In this example that means one should evaluate the pike damage source plus all damage riders, followed by the Tavern Brawler damage source and all damage riders applied again.

[[Tavern Brawler]] on thrown weapon attacks is a '''DRS''', meaning the damage roll in the above scenario would on average yield 28.5 total damage (ignoring resistances) calculated as follows:

* {{InfoBlob|{{DieIcon|d10|Piercing}} 1d10 (5.5 avg) (weapon damage die) + 1 (weapon enchantment) + 4 (Strength modifier) {{DamageType|Piercing}}}} from the {{SmItemIcon|Returning Pike}} thrown weapon attack, [DS]

** {{InfoBlob|{{DieIcon|d4|Piercing}} +1d4 (2.5 avg) {{DamageType|Piercing}}}} damage from the {{SmItemIcon|Ring of Flinging}}, [DR]

** {{InfoBlob|+1 {{DamageType|Lightning}} damage}} from {{SAI|Lightning Charges (Condition)}}, [DR]

* {{InfoBlob|+4 {{DamageType|Piercing}} damage}} from [[Tavern Brawler]], [DRS]

** {{InfoBlob|+1d4 (2.5 avg) {{DamageType|Piercing}} damage}} from the {{SmItemIcon|Ring of Flinging}} being applied to Tavern Brawler damage source, [DR]

** {{InfoBlob|+1 {{DamageType|Lightning}} damage}} from {{SAI|Lightning Charges (Condition)}} being applied to Tavern Brawler damage source, [DR]

** {{InfoBlob|{{DieIcon|d6|Necrotic}} +1d6 (3.5 avg) {{DamageType|Necrotic}}}} damage from {{SAI|Hex}} being applied to Tavern Brawler damage source [DR]

As a ''hypothetical'' scenario to show the impact that this minor detail can have, instead imagine [[Tavern Brawler]] were to be treated as a DR in the above scenairo. In this ''hypothetical'' scenario the above damage roll would yield 21.5 total damage on average (ignoring resistances) calculated as follows:

* {{InfoBlob|{{DieIcon|d10|Piercing}} 1d10 (5.5 avg) (weapon damage die) + 1 (weapon enchantment) + 4 (Strength modifier) {{DamageType|Piercing}}}} from the {{SmItemIcon|Returning Pike}} thrown weapon attack, [DS]

** {{InfoBlob|{{DieIcon|d4|Piercing}} +1d4 (2.5 avg) {{DamageType|Piercing}}}} damage from the {{SmItemIcon|Ring of Flinging}}, [DR]

** {{InfoBlob|+1 {{DamageType|Lightning}} damage}} from {{SAI|Lightning Charges (Condition)}}, [DR]

** {{InfoBlob|{{DieIcon|d6|Necrotic}} +1d6 (3.5 avg) {{DamageType|Necrotic}}}} damage from {{SAI|Hex}}, [DR]

** {{InfoBlob|+4 {{DamageType|Piercing}} damage}} from [[Tavern Brawler]],  [If Tavern Brawler were to ''hypothetically'' be treated as a DR with thrown weapon attacks]

==DRS Effects==

The following are a list of items and abilities which have DRS effects, and what the relevant DRS effect is.

! Relevant Effect

|Deals Weapon Damage + {{DamageText|2d4|Acid}} ([[Saving Throw|Dexterity Save]] to negate). Creates a permanent [[Acid Surface]].

|Deals weapon damage + {{DamageText|2d4|Fire}} ([[Saving Throw|Dexterity Save]] to negate). Creates a [[Fire Surface]] for 2 turns.

|Deals weapon damage + {{DamageText|2d4|Cold}} ([[Saving Throw|Dexterity Save]] to negate). Creates an [[Ice Surface]] for 2 turns.

|Spend 6 m / 20 ft of your [[Movement Speed|movement]] to deal additional physical damage (minimum 1) on each successful weapon attack for the rest of the turn.  

|[[Assassin's Touch]]

|'''Deathly Slumber:''' Deals an additional '''1d4 [[Damage Types|Necrotic]]''' damage to creatures that are  [[Knocked Out (Condition)|Knocked Out]] or  [[Sleeping (Condition)|Sleeping]] .

|{{RarityItem|Phalar Aluve|alias=Phalar Aluve: Shriek}}

|All enemies within 6m of range have a 1d4 penalty to Charisma, Wisdom and Intelligence Saving Throws. Affected creatures receive an extra {{DamageText|1d4|Thunder}} damage. The sword will stop Shrieking if unequipped.

| {{RarityItem|Dragon's Grasp|alias=Dragon's Grasp: Burned Alive}}

| Deals an additional {{DamageText|1d4|Slashing}} damage to {{Cond|Burning}} targets.

| N/a

| {{RarityItem|Firestoker|alias=Firestoker: Burned Alive}}

| Deals an additional {{DamageText|1d4|Piercing}} damage to {{Cond|Burning}} targets.

| N/a

| {{RarityItem|Exterminator's Axe|alias=Exterminator's Axe: Scourge of Pets}}

| Deals an additional {{DamageText|1d6|Fire}} damage to Plants, Insects or Small creatures.

| N/a

| {{RarityItem|Deep Delver|alias=Deep Delver: Dig Deep}}

| One

| Inflicts '''Shattered''' on hit. When attacking a '''Shattered''' target, deal an additional {{DamageText|1d4|Piercing}} damage.

| N/a

| {{RarityItem|Blooded Greataxe|alias=Blooded Greataxe: Relentless Revenge}}

| One

| When the wielder has 50% {{Hp}} or less, they deal an additional {{DamageText|1d4|Slashing}} damage.

| N/a

|{{RarityItem|Sword of Life Stealing}}

|On a [[Critical Hit]], the target takes an extra {{DamageText|10|Necrotic}} damage as long as it isn't a construct or an undead. You also gain 10 [[Temporary Hit Points|temporary hit points]].

|Three

|{{RarityItem|Craterflesh Gloves|alias=Craterflesh Gloves: Craterous Wounds}}

|Whenever you score a [[Critical Hit]], deal an additional {{DamageText|1d6|Force}} damage.

|N/a

|{{RarityItem|Rhapsody|alias=Rhapsody: Scarlet Remittance}}

|Gain a +1 bonus to [[Attack Roll|Attack Rolls]], damage, and [[Spell]] Save DC for every foe you slay, up to a maximum of +3.

|N/a

| {{RarityItem|Duellist's Prerogative|alias=Duelist's Prerogative: Withering Cut}}

| Three

| On a hit with a melee weapon, use a [[Reaction (Resource)|reaction]] to deal additional {{DamageType|Necrotic}} damage equal to your [[Proficiency Bonus]].

| N/a

! Notes

|N/a

|{{Class|Way of Shadow}}

|+Other Abilities

|{{SAI|Hunter's Mark}}  

|{{SAI|Tavern Brawler}}

|[[Feats|Feat]]

|When you make an unarmed attack, use an improvised weapon, or throw something, your strength modifier is added twice to the damage and [[Attack Roll]]

|Only when used with thrown weapon attacks.

== Potential Bugs==

The following items compose a non-exhaustive list which indicates that the "Damage Riders" as compared to "Damage Riders treated as Damage Sources" may include several bugs and therefore many of these abilities may change in future patches:

*[[Tavern Brawler]] is treated as a Damage Rider with unarmed attacks and improvised weapon attacks, but as a "Damage Rider treated as a Damage Source" when it comes to thrown weapon attacks.