Magical weapons

[PandaGaki]

I'm having a problem with the rules regarding DR. Problem explanation by example:

A Barghest has 10/silver DR.
Does this mean that
a) A magical weapon (every +1 magic sword) and silver weapons overcome this DR
b) Only silver weapons, magical or non magical weapons overcome this DR.

Now I'm thinking that a is the solution, but if that's true, is there any reason at all to not just get a +1 magic sword instead of sometimes try to find the weapon you need to overcome the DR?

[Tatterdemalion]

Option (b) is correct. See here.

[TriOmegaZero]

There was an alternate rule put forth where +X weapons could overcome certain DR. Made it worthwhile to increase your bonus instead of adding special abilities. I think Monte Cook came up with it.

[Seldriss]

Something like this :
+1 weapon : DR5
+2 weapon : DR10
+3 weapon : DR15
?

[TriOmegaZero]

More like:

+1 = Magic
+2 = Silver/Cold Iron
+3 = Good/Evil
+4 = Adamantine
+5 = Holy/Unholy

[Seldriss]

TriOmegaZero wrote:

More like:

+1 = Magic
+2 = Silver/Cold Iron
+3 = Good/Evil
+4 = Adamantine
+5 = Holy/Unholy

Hmm...

+5 seems asking a lot for holy/unholy, no ?
Why not :
+1 = magic
+2 = silver/cold iron (or any special material except adamantine)
+3 = good/evil/holy/unholy
+4 = adamantine

[TriOmegaZero]

I made that up on the spot. Had no idea what a balanced one would be. I just said Holy would be the highest rank, or adamantine. Since Holy/Unholy causes negative levels when the wrong person picks it up. Which CAN kill a 1st level character, by the by. And I recall creatures with DR/(Un)Holy are usually high CR.

Edit: Found the reference. Here.

[Seldriss]

An holy or unholy weapon can cause negative levels ?!?
I learned something today. Thanks TOZ.

[TriOmegaZero]

The more you know. ^^

I actually asked Wizards if a holy sword picked up by a 1st level evil creature would kill the creature, even though the negative level disappears when the item is dropped. And yes, it would. It would die, drop the sword, and the negative level would go, but he'd still be left dead.

[Seldriss]

OK, now you are giving me ideas for some tricky weapons in my game.
My players are going to hate me for that :D

[TriOmegaZero]

Why Seldriss, don't tell me you're the type of DM who would put an unholy weapon in the hands of a 1st level party too?

I mean....uh.... *shifty eyes*

[Seldriss]

Naaaah... Of course, i would never do that !
[Bluff check 1d20+7]: 1+7=8

[Cato Novus]

Yeah, Holy/Unholy weapons place a temporary negative level on a character wielding it if he is of opposing alignment.

By the way, if you wanna be really sneaky, don't use a Holy/Unholy, as a Paladin can Detect Evil at will, even at first level. Use an Anarchic/Axiomatic weapon, as most characters won't be dealing with creatures whose DR(if they actually have any) is overcome by those that early on; and a lot of players don't pay as much attention to that axis of alignment. The party would never expect it.