Attacks That Deal Just Persistent Damage

[swordchucks]

Alternate title: Acid Flasks, how do they work?

So, I've been running the playtest for my group and have come across an odd bit of a question. In particular, when a player uses a weapon like an Acid Flask, which does 1d4 persistent damage, how is damage applied?

As near as I can tell, the player hits with the flask and this applies the Persistent Damage (1d4 Acid) effect to his target, but does no immediate damage. At the end of the target's next turn, they roll 1d4 acid damage and then roll the flat check to save against the acid as per the Persistent Damage effect. It seems to lead to a strange case where it is occasionally better to miss with the acid flask (so the target takes the immediate splash damage) instead of hitting.

Is that how it's supposed to work?

[Ssalarn]

Since the target is still within the area affected by splash damage, they take both the 1 point of acid splash damage immediately and the subsequent persistent damage, or at least that's my understanding.

[Zwordsman]

Currently yes, they only take the splash damage until the end of their next turn.

I DO however, think that they need to include a rule that states when via n attack, first applied, persistent damage's first tick is at the end of the attack that caused it.

Otherwise.. people could be covered in Acid for 6 whole seconds (if they go right before the alchemist) before it really bothers them much.
Which.. i guess the splash daamge is meant to convey the immediate burn.. but unless you're an Alch, its not gonna compere to the 2d4 effect.

This also applies to weirdness such as the Rogue's Twist the Knife. I stab and twist it. and pull the knife out.. you do't bleed for a while.

I do think it makes far more sense for an immediate application, then it continues on their turn only. Sort of like how poison works. (I think)