Is there any really good reason not to take the merciful enchantment? Like enemies can easily ignore nonlethal damage?
I have a level 9 barbarian who already has Vicious. The extra 1d6 is great, and dealing nonlethal makes a lot of sense for the character, and taking the damage from vicious as nonlethal would really help survivability.
The main reason NOT to take it is if you want another enhancement more. Since it's a +1, it will increase the cost of other enhancements. If you can't come up with another enhancement, though, then this doesn't really matter. (Though as a barbarian, you might look at the Furious enhancement first.)
Second reason I can think of is if it doesn't fit the character.
Is there any really good reason not to take the merciful enchantment? Like enemies can easily ignore nonlethal damage?
I have a level 9 barbarian who already has Vicious. The extra 1d6 is great, and dealing nonlethal makes a lot of sense for the character, and taking the damage from vicious as nonlethal would really help survivability.
If your entire group is not dealing non lethal to the same target then your effecively doubling the targets healing from magic spells.
When a spell or ability cures hit point damage, it also removes an equal amount of nonlethal damage.
And as stated Golems and Undead are immune to non lethal. Lastly, dead monsters cannot get back up later to hunt you down for revenge (usually).
Good to know about undead and constructs (constructs are not particularly rare in PFS).
The command to turn off merciful is a standard action?
If no other action is stated, it defaults to a standard action.
Command Word: If no activation method is suggested either in the magic item description or by the nature of the item, assume that a command word is needed to activate it. Command word activation means that a character speaks the word and the item activates. No other special knowledge is needed.
A command word can be a real word, but when this is the case, the holder of the item runs the risk of activating the item accidentally by speaking the word in normal conversation. More often, the command word is some seemingly nonsensical word, or a word or phrase from an ancient language no longer in common use. Activating a command word magic item is a standard action and does not provoke attacks of opportunity.
Is there any really good reason not to take the merciful enchantment? Like enemies can easily ignore nonlethal damage?
I have a level 9 barbarian who already has Vicious. The extra 1d6 is great, and dealing nonlethal makes a lot of sense for the character, and taking the damage from vicious as nonlethal would really help survivability.
What kind of weapon are you using?
Keep in mind that a +1d6 is only +3.5 average. Are you hitting everything you swing at? If not, a flat additional +1 will probably increase your average damage more by increasing your hitting frequency.
I asked about the weapon because for some weapon types there are alternatives to the Merciful special ability.
The Bludgeoner feat lets you deal non-lethal damage with any bludgeoning weapon with no penalty.
The Blade of Mercy religion trait lets you deal non-lethal damage with a slashing weapon with no penalty. And it gives you +1 for that non-lethal damage.
Gisher; the goal isn't necessarily to deal nonlethal damage, but to deal additional damage. The choice for me is between an elemental damage enchantment, or the Merciful weapon.
Oops. I thought the non-lethal was the point. Never mind.
The good reason to not take it is a +1 enchantment is better, helps you bypass DR and doesn't have any nonlethal woes.
If you have Courageous then you want at least a +4 weapon in order to get the full benefit.