You've pitted your PCs against a wereat in its humanoid form, and they have no idea its a wererat; it looks like a rather slovenly bandit. After poor attack rolls in the first two rounds, the fighter rolls a natural 20. (The player's excited; he's sure he's scored a hit.) At this point, I usually say something like "Your sword connects (slight dramatic pause) and passes through without doing any damage" or "your opponent seems to go ethereal for the split second your dagger was in his body., avoiding damage."
" .. you slash across the arm of the rat creature, causing it to hiss is pain, but you watch and the wound knits up again almost as fast as you dealt it ... "
" .. with a meaty thunk your crossbow bolt pierces it's shoulder - it snarls and reaches up, pulling the bolt free - and you watch as the wound puckers closed, and then smooths over, leaving no trace of the injury ... "
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Well - isn't Wolverine really just the Mutant version of a werewolf? ;)
Other immunity types for other creatures - Fire, Acid, Cold, etc. - I'd narrate as just having no effect:
" .. the fireball detonates with a titanic thunderclap, waves of flame billow to fill the cavern and wash over the Red Dragon , who doesn't even seem to notice as it's long serpentine neck lashes out at you, it's jaws closing down ferociously .. "
But Bludgeoning/Piercing/Slashing for a "fleshy" creature are easier to do that way IMO.
Something like a Stone Golem, the attacks would just bounce.
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" .. you slash across the arm of the rat creature, causing it to hiss is pain, but you watch and the wound knits up again almost as fast as you dealt it ... "
" .. with a meaty thunk your crossbow bolt pierces it's shoulder - it snarls and reaches up, pulling the bolt free - and you watch as the wound puckers closed, and then smooths over, leaving no trace of the injury ... "
That seems kind of confusing considering there's already a regenerating monsters.
For weapon attacks I say they land a clean hit but the weapon fails to cut/pierce/bruise.
Squishy tissue which has blows just bounce off doesnt seem realistic to me.
I guess wererat tissue might behave somewhat like a core of foam rubber wrapped in Kevlar? That'd work "realisticly", and wouldn't be confusable with regeneration.
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Squishy tissue which has blows just bounce off doesnt seem realistic to me.
It's not supposed to be realistic. It's a supernatural element inspired by folklore, and it's very specific to attacks. Lycanthropes can still suffer injuries from falling, or being crushed under rubble.
I guess I'm just attached to "physics still being physics" as much as possible.
I have no problem with there being supernatural root causes which violate physics as we know it - but I'd prefer them to violate only as much physics as is needed.
Creating abnormally strong molecular bonds ( Kevlar skin approach ), or instant tissue regeneration to the extent of that attack's damage only, seems less of a violation to me that "phasing out of reality", or violating the conservation of momentum.
But that's all personal interpretation :)
Ultimately, this is like trying to argue whether the Enterprise would win against a Star Destroyer or not - ultimately undecidable; use the approach that works for you. :)
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I've always reveled in the break from realism when it comes to lycanthropes. "You bring your sword down his shoulder the impact races up your arm like you just hit brick wall, he goes to brush your hand way as casually as one brushes away an errant butterfly. Only he suddenly recoils clutching his hand, a large boil appears on his finger where brushed against your ring. You feel what you think is disgust radiating from the otherwise mundane silver signet ring.
I think it would depend on the creature you're fighting. it's important to narrate that the attack definitely 'hits', so I wouldn't say 'passes through' - but deciding on how to narrate zero damage is the key. I'd do it like Spartanwhimp, so as not to confuse the immunity with regeneration. The weakness to silver is a nice touch too!
It's this sort of thing that makes the difference between a good player experience and an average player experience, I think, and I've always been dissatisfied with the how I convey such immunities, especially piercing/slashing/bludgeoning immunities. It's great to learn how others do it.
I appreciate all the input!
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Just curious:
You've pitted your PCs against a wereat in its humanoid form, and they have no idea its a wererat; it looks like a rather slovenly bandit. After poor attack rolls in the first two rounds, the fighter rolls a natural 20. (The player's excited; he's sure he's scored a hit.) At this point, I usually say something like "Your sword connects (slight dramatic pause) and passes through without doing any damage" or "your opponent seems to go ethereal for the split second your dagger was in his body., avoiding damage."
How do you do it?
Thanks.
Recently returned to D&D after 20+ years.
Unapologetic.
" .. you slash across the arm of the rat creature, causing it to hiss is pain, but you watch and the wound knits up again almost as fast as you dealt it ... "
" .. with a meaty thunk your crossbow bolt pierces it's shoulder - it snarls and reaches up, pulling the bolt free - and you watch as the wound puckers closed, and then smooths over, leaving no trace of the injury ... "
My DM Philosophy, as summed up by other people: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rN5w4-azTq3Kbn0Yvk9nfqQhwQ1R5by1/view
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
So you treat it as instant healing. I like that! Wolverine as lycanthrope. Very nice.
Recently returned to D&D after 20+ years.
Unapologetic.
Well - isn't Wolverine really just the Mutant version of a werewolf? ;)
Other immunity types for other creatures - Fire, Acid, Cold, etc. - I'd narrate as just having no effect:
" .. the fireball detonates with a titanic thunderclap, waves of flame billow to fill the cavern and wash over the Red Dragon , who doesn't even seem to notice as it's long serpentine neck lashes out at you, it's jaws closing down ferociously .. "
But Bludgeoning/Piercing/Slashing for a "fleshy" creature are easier to do that way IMO.
Something like a Stone Golem, the attacks would just bounce.
My DM Philosophy, as summed up by other people: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rN5w4-azTq3Kbn0Yvk9nfqQhwQ1R5by1/view
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
That seems kind of confusing considering there's already a regenerating monsters.
For weapon attacks I say they land a clean hit but the weapon fails to cut/pierce/bruise.
Yeah, there is room for confusion there.
Squishy tissue which has blows just bounce off doesnt seem realistic to me.
I guess wererat tissue might behave somewhat like a core of foam rubber wrapped in Kevlar? That'd work "realisticly", and wouldn't be confusable with regeneration.
My DM Philosophy, as summed up by other people: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rN5w4-azTq3Kbn0Yvk9nfqQhwQ1R5by1/view
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
It's not supposed to be realistic. It's a supernatural element inspired by folklore, and it's very specific to attacks. Lycanthropes can still suffer injuries from falling, or being crushed under rubble.
"Immunity to nonmagical weapons intentionally leaves the door open for a monster to take damage from falling, being crushed, etc."
"A lycanthrope's immunity is a supernatural resilience against the attacks of regular mortals. It's not about the damage types."
"The material is modeling folklore. Curses and blessings in legend are often specific, not universal laws."
"Regeneration has a different effect in world: many farmers could take out a werewolf with pitchforks. Not what we wanted."
"Yeah, I would emphasize that it's supernatural. It doesn't obey the physical laws of our world."
The kind of regeneration you're describing would be very appropriate for a monster like a troll though.
I guess I'm just attached to "physics still being physics" as much as possible.
I have no problem with there being supernatural root causes which violate physics as we know it - but I'd prefer them to violate only as much physics as is needed.
Creating abnormally strong molecular bonds ( Kevlar skin approach ), or instant tissue regeneration to the extent of that attack's damage only, seems less of a violation to me that "phasing out of reality", or violating the conservation of momentum.
But that's all personal interpretation :)
Ultimately, this is like trying to argue whether the Enterprise would win against a Star Destroyer or not - ultimately undecidable; use the approach that works for you. :)
Enterprise would totally win...
My DM Philosophy, as summed up by other people: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rN5w4-azTq3Kbn0Yvk9nfqQhwQ1R5by1/view
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
I've always reveled in the break from realism when it comes to lycanthropes. "You bring your sword down his shoulder the impact races up your arm like you just hit brick wall, he goes to brush your hand way as casually as one brushes away an errant butterfly. Only he suddenly recoils clutching his hand, a large boil appears on his finger where brushed against your ring. You feel what you think is disgust radiating from the otherwise mundane silver signet ring.
I think it would depend on the creature you're fighting. it's important to narrate that the attack definitely 'hits', so I wouldn't say 'passes through' - but deciding on how to narrate zero damage is the key. I'd do it like Spartanwhimp, so as not to confuse the immunity with regeneration. The weakness to silver is a nice touch too!
Great discussion.
It's this sort of thing that makes the difference between a good player experience and an average player experience, I think, and I've always been dissatisfied with the how I convey such immunities, especially piercing/slashing/bludgeoning immunities. It's great to learn how others do it.
I appreciate all the input!
Recently returned to D&D after 20+ years.
Unapologetic.