The name is causing my head to explode!
There's a few ways of looking at it, particularly since the merciful language (pleasantly) leaves some room for DM decision making.
(1) Some would say the 1d6 from merciful is the only non-lethal damage. I think this mostly comes from not really *reading* the Merciful entry, but it's a reasonable interpretation.
(2) Others would say that the weapon damage (2d6+1d6+2+Str/etc) would be merciful, but other added dice would not.
(3) I'm actually of the opinion that it converts *all* damage to non-lethal, including flaming, frost, etc. However, I'd make an exception for Vicious, as that is pure destructive energy. Also even if I didn't make an exception for Vicious, I'd say the backlash damage is still lethal, for anyone trying to add those two together.
However, I could see *designing* such a weapon, with a nice backstory (like a berserker's axe, "cursed" by a peaceful cleric not to kill, or if geased not to kill). It's less cheesy from the DM :)
Hope that helps! (2) is probably the best choice. (merciful fire is an odd concept).
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There's a few ways of looking at it, particularly since the merciful language (pleasantly) leaves some room for DM decision making.
(1) Some would say the 1d6 from merciful is the only non-lethal damage. I think this mostly comes from not really *reading* the Merciful entry, but it's a reasonable interpretation.
(2) Others would say that the weapon damage (2d6+1d6+2+Str/etc) would be merciful, but other added dice would not.
(3) I'm actually of the opinion that it converts *all* damage to non-lethal, including flaming, frost, etc. However, I'd make an exception for Vicious, as that is pure destructive energy. Also even if I didn't make an exception for Vicious, I'd say the backlash damage is still lethal, for anyone trying to add those two together.
However, I could see *designing* such a weapon, with a nice backstory (like a berserker's axe, "cursed" by a peaceful cleric not to kill, or if geased not to kill). It's less cheesy from the DM :)
Hope that helps! (2) is probably the best choice. (merciful fire is an odd concept).
It's just hot enough to give 1st degree burns, but nothing worse?
So, if you have a Merciful Vicious Great Sword +2 it would do 5d6 +2 non-lethal damage and 1d6 non-lethal to the user?
yes, love this.