| blz |
When is damage applied when moving through hazardous terrain? and how does it interact with monster resistance?
In short do I count the damage (and therefore resistance) each and every time a monster moves into a 5 foot square of hazardous terrain, OR do I total the damage along the path and then apply the resistance only once to the total damage at the end?
Here are the specifics...
I DMed a character who cast the Coral Eruption spell (https://2e.aonprd.com/Spells.aspx?ID=887) in an area and then some Cyclops Zombies (https://2e.aonprd.com/Monsters.aspx?ID=2304) moved through that hazardous terrain.
From the Coral Eruption description in Archives of Nethys
"A creature that moves through the area takes 3 piercing damage for every square of that area it moves into."
(definition in Secrets of Magic pg 96 .. I don't have the book).
Page 92 of the GM Core Remastered.
"Hazardous terrain damages creatures whenever they move through it. For instance, an acid pool, a pit of burning embers, and a spike-filled passageway all constitute hazardous terrain. The amount and type of damage depend on the specific hazardous terrain."
The Monsters have "Resistances All 7 (except positive and critical hits);"
So in this case it's important when exactly the damage is applied. If the damage and resistance is applied for each square then the monsters take no damage in this case and a lot less damage for doing this kind of thing in general.
I ruled that the damage happens every time the monster enters a square. Needless to say the player wanted to argue the case for a bit... he got over it. I'm curious what other people's interpretations might be, because this spell does get used a fair bit and I don't want to penalize him for my poor understanding of the rules.
TY.