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I play a "two-handed smiter" (Paladin-8 with a Greatsword), so I'm often in the thick of combat, without much AC (Except when Smite Evil happens to apply).
I've often thought about taking Shield of Swings, but never did so because I've always assumed that "reduce the damage by 1/2" means "(total damage after all bonuses)/2", and I get a *lot* of bonuses. However, since "double damage" often just means "roll the base dice twice" (as in Vital Strike), might "1/2 damage" really mean "cut the base dice damage in half, then add the usual bonuses"?
Thanks.
RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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However, since "double damage" often just means "roll the base dice twice" (as in Vital Strike),
When you say "often", do you really mean "just Vital Strike"? Because I'm not aware of any other mechanic in the game where it only refers to the dice, without saying so explicitly.
However, since "double damage" often just means "roll the base dice twice" (as in Vital Strike),When you say "often", do you really mean "just Vital Strike"? Because I'm not aware of any other mechanic in the game where it only refers to the dice, without saying so explicitly.
You may be correct. I've been reading a lot of threads about Vital Strike recently, and it may have colored my perceptions.
My understanding: It halves all damage from any source. (This is my RAW opinion.)
However, I can see a case being made that that is physical damage only. Energy type damage might not apply.
Rationale: Energy damage is not multiplied and therefore should not be halved unless something specifically halves energy damage.
The paladin in the group I GM for uses Shield of Swings in crunch times when she is taking too much damage and needs to slow it down. She combines it with fighting defensively (+3AC -4attack with 3 ranks in acrobatics) for a total of +7AC, -4attack, 1/2 damage. It still allows her to dish out damage while at the same time avoid dying (if she dies, everyone dies).
Her current damage is somewhere around 2d6+17 and 2d6+25 with smite (she is also 8th level).
- Gauss
RAW, any damage you do is reduced. I wouldn't suggest using it along with all your damage bumps at all (aka BBEG fights). It is more the type of feat I would use when surrounded by mooks that it is just a matter of time before taking out. You'd be pushing your AC up, which reduces the incoming damage on you from pure number of rolls ideally, while hacking away at the mooks.