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Hey everybody,
I did a quick search and found very little quickly on the topic. When looking at smite evil, it says that, in addition to other vileness, that it defeats any DR that the subject may possess regardless of the target.
I have two questions about this however.
Firstly, the paragraph after says that if the target is not evil, the smite is wasted. But DR defeating happens regardless of the target. Which one is it? My inclination is to go with the 'smite evil is wasted on non evil' but it could be interpreted differently.
Secondly is trickier. What about DR gained via stoneskin, adamantine armor, etc. External sources in essence. In my opinion, the spirit of smite evil indicates that it is a holy strike that bypasses the essence of an evil creature, that essence which gives them immunity except against certain attack types. Smite evil ignores that protection in its attack against the evil creature. However, the writeup on smite evil just says it defeats DR that the target possesses. Do we split hairs over the wording of 'gaining DR' and possessing DR? Stoneskin states that the subject gains DR 10/Adamantine. Adamantine grants the wearer DR X/-. Does gaining, or being granted, differ sufficiently from possession?
Obviously it can be argued such, but it seems a weak argument for upholding these external DR if I'm forced to resort to splitting hairs over definitions.
Firstly it states that if the target isn't evil the smite attempt is not only waste, but wasted to no effect. So nothing happens if the target isn't evil.
Secondly it states that in the case that smite evil is effective then all DR of the subject is surpassed. Source doesn't matter, only the fact that it is DR.
Firstly it states that if the target isn't evil the smite attempt is not only waste, but wasted to no effect. So nothing happens if the target isn't evil.
Secondly it states that in the case that smite evil is effective then all DR of the subject is surpassed. Source doesn't matter, only the fact that it is DR.
To the best of my knowledge, smite evil is the only way to defeat DR X/-, providing the target is evil.
One way to look at it is spells like Stoneskin, rather than placing a protective coating around the target, actually modify the target. So when the Paladin smite the target, the goodness of the smite overcomes the targets tougher skin (or whatever change the spell made).
To the best of my knowledge, smite evil is the only way to defeat DR X/-, providing the target is evil.
Greater Penetrating Strike will defeat DR 5/-.