Damage mechanics: Difference between revisions

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).

{{anchor|damage-rider-as-source}}

There are some damage riders which defy the typical trends described above. They still must "ride along" with a damage source in order to be applied, but when the damage is calculated they are treated as damage sources instead of damage riders. This means that these "'''damage riders which are treated as damage sources'''" can then cause normal damage riders to be applied once again as part of the same ability (e.g. attack or spell) which caused the damage.

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

*{{SAI|Lightning Charges (Condition)}} add +1 Lightning Damage to each damage source

*{{SAI|Hex}} adds 1d6 necrotic damage to each damage source.

*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:'''

==Effects which apply "Damage Riders"==