I could use some guidance on how to handle a special attack please. Would DR bludgeoning be an appropriate defense to apply to a Whirlwind Blast or does it circumvent DR and Resistance?
Whirlwind Blast (Su)
When in wind form, a bralani can attack with a scouring blast of wind, dealing 3d6 points of damage in a 20-foot line (Reflex DC 17 half). The save DC is Constitution-based.
Thanks,
(SU) abilities are not subject to spell resistance or DR (unless it does a physical type like slashing as per a dev clarification.)
Elemental resistances still apply if it does say fire but that does not apply here.
That helps thanks.
I was trying to find a source that mentioned it bypassing DR but I couldn't find anything specific. I read the part about energy, spells, and spell like abilities ignoring DR but wasn't sure if the Whirlwind Blast counted as a non specific 'energy' or as a 'normal' attack that DR might apply to. Could you please clarify where the rules deal with this? This attack seems like one of those grey areas that is open to different interpretations.
Thanks,
Well looking at the SRD it is now gone. That line used to read "Spells, spell-like abilities, supernatural abilities and energy attacks (even non-magical fire) ignore damage reduction."
But then things like Sound Striker came up with a SU ability that does the users choice of physical type. It started an argument and a Dev clarified somewhere that SU abilities that do a physical type are subject to DR. Because of that is assume is why the SRD changed that line.
The thing is I am pretty sure the Dev said it is when it calls out a physical type so removing that line was bot the best way to do it. They should have added a note about SU doing slashing and so on.
Ahh took me while but I found the Dev post. He outright says if it does not list a damage type it is magic and bypasses DR.
Thank you!
That certainly helps. I appreciate the detective work finding the post :)