Elemental Damage Prevalence

[*Thelith]

I know this may be hard to answer but if not here goes: Of the elemental types that can be resisted, fire, cold, etc. which is most commonly used against Pathfinders?

I am curious if there is a "best" element to have resistance to if one has a choice between several.

[BigNorseWolf]

Fire.

from pathfinder By pathfinders to pathfinders.., fire

[Ascalaphus]

I think electricity might be the second most common one, it also features in traps, shock arrows etcetera.

[Quentin Coldwater]

Fireball, Flame Strike, and Burning Hands are used a lot, so that's an obvious one. Magi are fond of Shocking Grasps, and indeed a lot of traps. The only damaging cold spell I can think of is Cone of Cold, and I've seen it once or twice. I believe I've seen acid spells/environmental effects even less than that.

[Partizanski]

In my experience, from most common to least common, its fire > electricity >> cold > acid.

The double chevron is not a typo. Fire and electricity very commonly hit the party via burning hands, lighting bolt, and fire ball. All spells that scale well for the level they come out, so be ready for them

Cold usually hits via things like cone of cold (so higher levels), environments (usually trivial unless its constant), and breath weapons (actually dangerous).

I have seen acid via acid arrow (not too dangerous), environments (same as above), and breath weapons (dangerous, but rarer than the other three).

So yeh, I would pick fire

[Gary Bush]

I have seen sonic used but I guess that is not an element....

[Quentin Coldwater]

Sonic, though, can be chosen with Resist Energy. Though, as someone in a Rappan Athuk game once said, "if they hit me with Sonic attacks, they deserve it." The only sonic attacks I can think of are Sound Burst, some environmental effects, and some very specific monsters.

[Ascalaphus]

Sound burst is rare but awful if you fail your save. Arguably, if you resist the damage completely you'd also be protected against the stun effect. Though I think that ruling was made late and doesn't always make sense.

[Nekome]

Kwinten Koëter wrote:

The only sonic attacks I can think of are Sound Burst, some environmental effects, and some very specific monsters.

Also the Battle Roar rage power.

[Xenocrat]

Nekome wrote:

Kwinten Koëter wrote:

The only sonic attacks I can think of are Sound Burst, some environmental effects, and some very specific monsters.

Also the Battle Roar rage power.

Shout spell, Ear Piercing Scream.

[andreww]

Wall of Sound appears in at least one 7-11 and can be rather dangerous depending on the tactics you use.

[*Thelith]

Sounds like fire resistance is the best option! Thank you, everyone, for your responses!!