| Elkwood |
This discussion is in regards to the damage rolls on page 406 of Player Core.
I have seen arguments on both sides in regards to shield block, and when the damage is applied for creatures/characters that have resistances.
Example: A skeleton with a shield chooses to block a slashing strike.
The strike rolls 6 damage including bonuses.
Scenario 1: The shield (with a hardness of 5) blocks five damage. 1 point of damage goes to the shield's hit points, and 1 goes to the skeleton. Since the skeleton has a resistance 5 to slashing, the skeleton does not Reduce Hitpoints.
Scenario 2: The skeleton applies resistances first "Step 3" and the rest is applied to the shield block. Since the shield has a hardness of 5 the sheild and the skeleton both take zero damage.
Here is my quesion - Is "Reducing your hitpoints" the same as "taking damage"?
Those who favor scenario 2 say you don't take damage until step 4, but that is not what step 4 says. It states you do not REDUCE HIT POINTS until step 4.
In fact, according to step 3 (page 406 or player core) "Apply immunities, weaknesses, and resistances the subject has TO THE DAMAGE. So damage must have been taken, otherwise it can not be reduced.
Can someone official please put a pin in this ongoing debate. Is "taking damage" the same as "reducing hit points".
Specificly -
When does a shield take damage? Before or after step 3.