I assume you mean the spell Versatile Weapon? If that is the case, you are correct. The damage type doesn't change, however the spell enables you to bypass a specific type of damage reduction. So, a bow user could have it cast on their weapon and have it bypass DR X/slashing, as if the bow were a slashing weapon. But it would still deal piercing damage, if that were relevant for some reason.
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I think he means this:
Weapon Versatility (Combat)
You can use your favored weapons in unconventional ways.
Prerequisites: Weapon Focus, base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: When wielding a weapon with which you have Weapon Focus, you can shift your grip as a swift action so that your weapon deals bludgeoning,
piercing, or slashing damage instead of the damage type normally dealt by
that weapon. You may switch back to the weapon’s normal damage type or another damage type as a swift action. If your base attack bonus is +5 or higher, using this feat is a free action instead.
I think he means this:
Weapon Versatility (Combat)
You can use your favored weapons in unconventional ways.
Prerequisites: Weapon Focus, base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: When wielding a weapon with which you have Weapon Focus, you can shift your grip as a swift action so that your weapon deals bludgeoning,
piercing, or slashing damage instead of the damage type normally dealt by
that weapon. You may switch back to the weapon’s normal damage type or another damage type as a swift action. If your base attack bonus is +5 or higher, using this feat is a free action instead.
Ah,that makes more sense. But I couldn't find anything on the PRD that was a feat and similar to what he was talking about, and thats because it's a companion book. Now that I know what he's talking about...
By strict RAW interpretation it would work. Of course, that's hilariously silly and as GM I would tell you no, hold your bow differently doesn't let your arrow do bludgeoning/slashing damage instead of piercing. The feat should probably be adjusted to specify melee weapons.
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It's also hilariously silly that you can deal slashing or piercing damage with a quarterstaff, but I'd allow that. It seems to work RAW, and I wouldn't have a problem with someone making a feat investment for this sort of thing.
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You just aim off center, to let the arrow slice the enemy instead of puncturing them. Or you break off the arrow head to made a dull shaft tip that doesn't penetrate.
Any way you rationalize it, there isn't any reason the feat doesn't work with the bow.
Quarterstaff......good example. Heh.
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Some of these responses make me envision the group of "Gangsta" Gunslinger Gnomes holding their pistols sideways when they shoot... to do slashing damage. "Now I gotta cut ya!"
This feat once again shows that Paizo really needs to invest in some better QC for their splat books to make sure added abilities actually work as intended, since they will never FAQ/Errata them.
Yeah...this feat is really terribly worded. Honestly, I would have been more okay if they had just made it apply to bladed weapons and said you could deal piercing or bludgeoning damage with it. That would make some sense.
That you can deal piercing or bludgeoning with a quarterstaff is also hilariously silly to me.
I also wouldn't allow this companion splat book in general either, so it's mostly irrelevant.
Edit: Note, I only allow "core" books anyways, so this is not a special exclusion. I meerly have a whitelist of allowed sources, anything else is on a case by case basis.
Some of these responses make me envision the group of "Gangsta" Gunslinger Gnomes holding their pistols sideways when they shoot... to do slashing damage. "Now I gotta cut ya!"
This feat once again shows that Paizo really needs to invest in some better QC for their splat books to make sure added abilities actually work as intended, since they will never FAQ/Errata them.
The FAQ actually does have a "Golarion" section that specifically covers splat books. It is shorter than the other sections, but it does contain a few items.
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I am still really not sure what many people are so upset about, in regards to this feat.
It's a pretty balanced feat, and helps gets rid of the "golf bag" Fighters.
It does not quite seem worth it for archers, as there are special arrows to deal different types of damage, like Blunt Arrows.
The 'grip' thing is just flavor text and has no bearing on the feat itself.
It could be of use for archers if they find/buy a lot of magic ammo. Also handy for slashing and piercing with a sling. ;)
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Just thought of something cool. Now my alchemist can deal bludgeoning,
piercing, or slashing with her bombs! Sweet!
Now is my ray of frost wielded? :P
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Yay, now my bombs are effected by DR!!!Just thought of something cool. Now my alchemist can deal bludgeoning,
piercing, or slashing with her bombs! Sweet!Now is my ray of frost wielded? :P
Yay, and they ignore elemental resistance/immunity! :)
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I think that energy type is different than damage type.
Feat says "When wielding a weapon".
Rays are treated as weapons.Defending FAQ states attacking with is wielding.
"a swift action so that your weapon deals bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage instead of the damage type normally dealt by that weapon"
Note it NEVER states what the base damage started out as, just what it turns into. This works with a normal weapon too. You could with a battle poi and deal bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage because that's what the feat says.
If you think what I'm saying is off, look at the battle poi listing in the adventures armory. It lists a battle poi's damage type as fire in the same column as the B,S and P. Seem to me they're listing fire as a damage type...
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Some serious stretches in rules interpretations on this one... and once again a poorly QC'd splatbook feat/ability that will likely never get clarified.
Stretches? Every point I made is backed up with an FAQ or a book entry.
Ray is treated as a weapon. (core/FAQ)Attacking with is wielding. (DEFENDING FAQ)
Fire is listed under type with B, S, P. (AA)
The interpretation seems sound. In anything it's the rules that are a bit wonky, but I didn't write them... Wielding alone is a train wreck of a 'rule'.
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I imagine that for a bow, this would apply if you are actually using the bow, and not the arrows to deal damage?
Or if you are clubbing someone with your pistol versus using the bullets to do the damage... since the damage type (P,S,B) comes from the ammunition and not the weapon itself.
Although, I certainly wouldn't mind giving crossbow users a chance to do bludgeoning damage with bolts.
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I wouldn't let your archer friend take the feat. Not because it's broken, but because there are extremely cheap(and more effective) options to already do this.
I'm in a game starting tomorrow. We're 8th level and I have an Efficient Quiver with 30 regular arrows and 30 blunt arrows. I can freely switch between them in my attack routine AND it didn't cost me a feat.
I would allow your Archer friend to take this feat, specifically because it is extremely cheap to do the same thing, and those just add to annoying bookkeeping that has to be done[similarly, I don't enforce Encumbrance, because its a minor penalty and annoying bookkeeping].
Type: Weapons are classified according to the type of damage they deal: B for bludgeoning, P for piercing, or S for slashing. Some monsters may be resistant or immune to attacks from certain types of weapons.This establishes that Blud, Pierce, and Slash are Types of Damage. A Ray may be a weapon, but it doesn't deal a damage type; it is neither Bludgeoning, Piercing, nor Slashing. It typically deals Energy damage and this Energy may have a type, but the weapon damage type is non-existent. Weapon Versatility would only apply if you had a ray that dealt bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage and I can't think of any pertinent examples off the top of my head.
As I pointed out, look at the battle poi. It's listing as fire for damage type on the weapon list. Go to back cover of Adventurer’s Armory, look at it. The Paizo made elemental damage a weapon type, not I.
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I wouldn't let your archer friend take the feat. Not because it's broken, but because there are extremely cheap(and more effective) options to already do this.
I'm in a game starting tomorrow. We're 8th level and I have an Efficient Quiver with 30 regular arrows and 30 blunt arrows. I can freely switch between them in my attack routine AND it didn't cost me a feat.
So, you think Zombies should get a free ride?
Regular arrows do Piercing damage.
Blunt arrows do Bludgeoning damage.
Zombies have DR Slashing.
Sigh. No love for archers, yet again.
That's why dedicated archers should carry some chakrams for backup, at least until they get the clustered shot feat.