Nonlethal Damage and Magical Weapons

[spacecaboy]

When making a nonlethal attack with a magical weapon that does extra damage, is all the damage (including the magic portion) nonlethal or just the base weapon damage plus strength.

Ex.

I have a +1 Flaming Longsword and I intend to do nonlethal damage to a goblin. I hit the goblin (despite the -4 to my attack) and roll for damage.

Does the goblin take:

A) 1d8 + 1d6 + 1 points of nonlethal damage

or...

B) 1d8+1 points of nonlethal damage and 1d6 points of lethal (fire) damage.

If option B is the correct answer, then what happens when I have a magic weapon that does additional effects? Such as a vorpal sword? If I roll a natural 20 while trying to do nonlethal damage with a vorpal sword is the target's head cut off?

If the sword is a lifedrinker, will they take negative levels in addtion to their nonlethal damage?

[Allia Thren]

I would say the magical effect works normally and deals lethal damage. The enchantment bonus (the +1, +2..) would be nonlethal though.

As a reference see that Sneak Attack with a lethal weapon that's used to deal nonlethal damage is still lethal as well, unless you have the feat Bludgener from UC.

There's simply no such thing as nonlethal fire damage, or nonlethal decapitation :)

[Nightskies]

There is nonlethal 'fire' damage from persisting in a very hot environment per hour. Haven't heard of a FIRE that does nonlethal damage. But I agree otherwise, one can't do non-lethal damage with an enhancement that normally does lethal damage, such as flaming.

[Morgen]

Don't forget you can turn off those elemental powers upon command (standard action) and turn them back on again in a similar way.

[Raghart]

I would appeal to the GM of the campaing, normally weapon effects work well even when not trying to kill, but elemental damage should be considered Lethal, damage non-specified should be the same the weapon does, so non-lethal if it's what you want.

Personally, a lifedrinker weapon i'll only let it work if you are actually doing lethal damage, (Or make it recover only non-lethal damage you have instead of lethal one xD).

If you are trying to not-kill someone and cut his head off with a vorpal sword... well... you haven't chosen well your weapon.

[spacecaboy]

Thanks everyone. I'd assumed as much but just wanted to verify as I found no hard set rules on it.