(Ghoul) Paralysis and Touch Attacks / Spells


Rules Questions


Hi,
I have some questions about the monster ability paralysis:

1. Does the attack paired with the paralysis ability have to deal damage in order for it to work? (e.g. reduced by damage reduction)

2. If it doesn't have to deal damage, can the paralysis ability be used as a normal touch attack or as part of a touch spell? Could a Ghoul (paralysis with claws) Cleric for example deliver an inflict light wounds spell and force the victim to save against paralysis?

I THINK that the answer to question 1 is that the attack has to deal damage for special abilities to work, but I can't find the statement within the rules.

Thanks.


TheRipper wrote:

Hi,

I have some questions about the monster ability paralysis:

1. Does the attack paired with the paralysis ability have to deal damage in order for it to work? (e.g. reduced by damage reduction)

2. If it doesn't have to deal damage, can the paralysis ability be used as a normal touch attack or as part of a touch spell? Could a Ghoul (paralysis with claws) Cleric for example deliver an inflict light wounds spell and force the victim to save against paralysis?

I THINK that the answer to question 1 is that the attack has to deal damage for special abilities to work, but I can't find the statement within the rules.

Thanks.

Damage Reduction in the Core Rules Glossary

Whenever damage reduction completely negates the damage from an attack, it also negates most special effects that accompany the attack, such as injury poison, a monk's stunning, and injury-based disease. Damage reduction does not negate touch attacks, energy damage dealt along with an attack, or energy drains. Nor does it affect poisons or diseases delivered by inhalation, ingestion, or contact.

2. The paralysis doesn't function just on touch.


Thanks. I thought it was within the damage reduction rules, but I looked at the Universal Monster Rules, not the Glossary one...

But I'm still not sure about the attack to deal damage for the paralysis to function. Injury poisons and diseases make sense. Stunning fist explicitly states "a foe damaged by your unarmed attack" (not hit).
A Lich, Mohrg or Ooze just has to be in contact (touch) for their paralysis to function.

I guess it depends on the interpretation of the nature of the monster's paralysis ability. Whether it is based on great pain (must deal damage) or if it is more like a "life-sucking" supernatural ability or secretion (touch is sufficient and might be combined with touch spells).


TheRipper wrote:
But I'm still not sure about the attack to deal damage for the paralysis to function.

While this is not foolproof, look at the attack type:

If an attack cannot deal any physical damage at all, its special effect will kick in on a successful attack roll.
If it is a touch, or incorporeal touch attack, the attack usually does not need to deal damage to trigger the special effect.


And fouling up the mix is the undefined cause of the ghoul's paralysis that has been with D&D since it's birth.

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