Incorporeal and Damage Reduction

[Malafaxous]

I am just looking for clarification on which effect would come first. As I interpret it I believe the 1/2 damage from incorporeal would apply first followed by the damage reduction.

Ie. Attack with a magic non DR penetrating weapon strikes. 10 damage is rolled. Halved that would be 5 which is then applied to damage reduction.

I ruled it this way, but since we could not find a direct rule stating this I had a player try to argue that it was the other way around.

[TriOmegaZero]

If you couldn't strike the enemy in the first place the DR would be irrelevant. I believe you ruled correctly. You have to get past the incorporeality first, then contend with the DR.

[nicklas Læssøe]

i understand the rules like that too, although i can see an argument for the DR to be applied dubble (as the damage is halved first), ie a shadow demon with DR 10, gets really really nasty. But i still think you made the correct ruling.

[Abraham spalding]

Yeah I would handle it like energy resistance -- roll your save take half damage apply energy resistance if any.

Apply incorporeal then DR.

[IkeDoe]

When attacking objects, items, walls, etc.. you halve the damage first, then the DR applies (it is RAW, somewhere in the rules).
For creatures there isn't such rule afaik, but it is ok to apply the same rule since it is the closer guideline in the book, IMO.

[Malafaxous]

Glad to see I do not stand alone. Thanks. Smiley Face.

[knightofstyx]

I had this discussion with James a while back:

Linky