I don't see how you could apply radiation protections to that ability, without a radiation level classification, so I think it breaks down roughly as follows:
Is the character immune?
-No. Not from environmental protections, or similar effects. If they are entirely immune to radiation, I would say yes.
Does the character get a save bonus?
-Maybe. There's a very reasonable argument to be made here, but with the Hesper's touch working nothing like radiation exposure normally does, I suspect the answer may be intended to be no.
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No. Armor or other methods of protection vs radiation effects found on pg. 403 would not protect against a creature's special attack if said special attack does not create a radiation effect.
If you are somehow immune to radiation entirely, then maybe that bit of flavor text might win you an argument with your GM, but RAW: No you are not protected from a Hesper's mutating touch.
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No. Armor or other methods of protection vs radiation effects found on pg. 403 would not protect against a creature's special attack if said special attack does not create a radiation effect.
If you are somehow immune to radiation entirely, then maybe that bit of flavor text might win you an argument with your GM, but RAW: No you are not protected from a Hesper's mutating touch.
Considering *I AM* the GM :)
Thanks all!
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Starfinder has a persistent issue with calling things radiation that do not follow the basic radiation rules. A Solarion ability comes to mind, as do several challenges encountered in SFS modules. If you follow the straight radiation rules it's either transient, trivial, or deadly, depending on the level and your gear, so it's not conducive to good encounter design.
Raw I don't think there's an answer but as the mutation is mostly humorous and doesn't lead to the usual radiation double death spiral it doesn't matter that much.
Deny em the bonus and let em get their weird on.
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Starfinder can't seem to choose between radiation as in nuclear radiation, and "radiaaaaation" (spooky voice).
Proper nuclear radiation does a lot of Con drain and happens every round, so if you're not properly protected you basically can't operate in it. You'll probably perish in a minute. This region is off-limits to you. If you have the right gear, fine.
It doesn't get used much in adventures, because writers aren't sure if the PCs will be ready for it. If they're not, then it's super harsh. If they are, then they're walking through an area in which only a handful of enemies could have even survived.
You can use it as sort of "you need a key from elsewhere to enter here" plot point. You have to get the superior hazmat suit from the other part of the dungeon to proceed here.
The other sort of radiation that you run into is the fanciful kind. 50s mad scientist radiation that gives you big specific mutations and such. It probably won't deal Con drain every round, but give you a mutation every hour or so. Writers like this kind a lot more, but often come up with contrived reasons why your regular protections won't stop it. "It's both technological and magical" or some BS like that. Because you're not escaping the plot radiation so easily.
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So Hespers seem like the second kind.
If you remove the word "radiation" from the ability and replace it with "mutagen" the power should function exactly the same. In this case the Hesper's Touch ability isn't radiation as a game mechanic, but "radiation" as a descriptive term.
As a GM, I wouldn't let radiation protections from gear do anything against it.
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If you remove the word "radiation" from the ability and replace it with "mutagen" the power should function exactly the same. In this case the Hesper's Touch ability isn't radiation as a game mechanic, but "radiation" as a descriptive term.
As a GM, I wouldn't let radiation protections from gear do anything against it.
Well the thing is that Hespers are nuclear-themed. Otherwise I'd agree wholeheartedly with you.