Same goes for other non-elemental weapon properties such as Axiomatic for Chaotic, Unholy for Good, etc...
Edit: Can you turn off this weapon property like a Flaming weapon?
That is a very good question. My gut tells me that energy damage can not be non-lethal, so in that case, the physical damage you do would be non-lethal, but the energy damage would be lethal. The mix would actually not be such a bad thing, if your goal is to knock them unconscious, once the non-lethal damage equals the remaining hit-points of the creature, the desired result will be achieved.
Technically yes, since it doesn't say anything specifically in the rules under nonlethal damage (as far as I have seen). Realistically, a lot of people could argue against it.
Mabven's point would be shared by a lot of posters. Me included.
Well, if you stick to the description, a flaming/frost/shock weapons are magic properties called "Upon command". (So they work under the same rules as command word items; uneffective unless they are called.) On the other hand, pretty much every other properties are considered like they were "Imbued" in the very weapon. I don't think it can be ignored.
So basically I would rule it like Mabven; The physical damage can be made non-lethal, but the magical property remains unchanged.
As posters have said, good question...and I don't think it's covered by RAW. I think I'd allow it in my game.
The damage dealt by aligned or axiomatic weapons is what GURPS calls "follow-on" damage that happens only if you hit and damage with the main weapon's main mode of employ. Since you're not using that weapon's cutting surface (or whatever else it normally deals damage through) in order to deal non-lethal damage I'd rule that you also don't deal the "follow-on" damage. Similar example: A target isn't poisoned when you deal non-lethal damage from a poisoned blade, right?
Thinking about this gets tricky though when you're talking about things that just are, like flaming blades. If the fire's on it should probably deal damage no matter whether you cut the target with the edge or flat him across the head.
Non-lethal damage is already pretty abstracted. I can understand how you deal N-L with the flat of a sword...but how do you do it with an earthbreaker? What part of that sledgehammer, exactly, are you using to deal non-lethal damage?
So, that's my mechanics argument...but here's my story argument. A player that does this is obviously trying to subdue the foe rather than kill him for some story-based reason (by taking a hefty penalty to hit and taking the long way around to disable his foe). Maybe he wants to "save" the evildoer and change his ways. Maybe he wants to question him and learn what he needs to save the kingdom.
If a player goes to all that trouble to create story in my game (as opposed to just trying to mow down enemies) I'm inclined to let all sorts of stuff not covered by RAW take place. YMMV, however.
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but how do you do it with an earthbreaker? What part of that sledgehammer, exactly, are you using to deal non-lethal damage?
Use the top of the hammer's head or the handle(which easily accounts for the -4 to hit) and thrust it into the enemy's solar plexus, knocking the wind out of him/her.
Now morningstars and spiked chains...that's trickier...
What about a non-lethal Smite Evil?
but how do you do it with an earthbreaker? What part of that sledgehammer, exactly, are you using to deal non-lethal damage?
Use the top of the hammer's head or the handle(which easily accounts for the -4 to hit) and thrust it into the enemy's solar plexus, knocking the wind out of him/her.
Now morningstars and spiked chains...that's trickier...
What about a non-lethal Smite Evil?
Sternly Lecture Evil (Su)