Hello all, sorry if this is a stupid question or already answered, but I really can't find a definitive answer in the PHB, or the forums.
When you cast a spell like Catapult, which causes bludgeoning damage, does that damage count as "magical?" At least in the sense that, let's say a monster, a Death Knight for example, has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects. (Taken verbatim from the monster's page). Basically, would a monster like a Death Knight have advantage against a spell that causes "physical" type damage (bludgeoning, slashing, piercing)? Follow up question, if a monster has resistance to physical damage, would the Catapult (or other spell which causes "physical" damage) ignore that resistance?
It's just a little confusing because I don't really see "spells that deal damage count as magical" anywhere, it's just sort of implied.
Anything a spell does is magical by definition. Basic Rules/Player's Handbook chapter 10 opens up with: "Magic permeates the worlds of D&D and most often appears in the form of a spell." And shortly afterwards: "A spell is a discrete magical effect, a single shaping of the magical energies that suffuse the multiverse into a specific, limited expression."
The example you gave is actually really clear-cut. Even if you skipped or forgot that text, the Magic Resistance trait reminds you it applies to spells in addition to other magical effects. Catapult is definitely a spell, therefore Magic Resistance applies to it. No guesswork needed. You only get into trouble if you start second-guessing what the rules say. In fact, the section on damage types reminds you that damage types have no special rules. Bludgeoning, piercing and slashing are no different from other damage types as far as the game's rules are concerned.
Follow up question, if a monster has resistance to physical damage, would the Catapult (or other spell which causes "physical" damage) ignore that resistance?
If a monster resists bludgeoning, piercing or slashing damage with no other caveats, then it unconditionally resists those damage types, no matter what the source of the damage is. For example, a treant resists the damage from Catapult.
When a monster has resistance to bludgeoning, piercing and slashing damage from nonmagical attacks, the resistance to those damage types is conditional; it only applies to damage coming from an attack that's also nonmagical. If the damage doesn't come from an attack (like Catapult, or falling damage) or the attack is magical, the conditions aren't met.
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Hello all, sorry if this is a stupid question or already answered, but I really can't find a definitive answer in the PHB, or the forums.
When you cast a spell like Catapult, which causes bludgeoning damage, does that damage count as "magical?" At least in the sense that, let's say a monster, a Death Knight for example, has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects. (Taken verbatim from the monster's page).
Basically, would a monster like a Death Knight have advantage against a spell that causes "physical" type damage (bludgeoning, slashing, piercing)?
Follow up question, if a monster has resistance to physical damage, would the Catapult (or other spell which causes "physical" damage) ignore that resistance?
Thanks!
Damage from spells and magic weapons are magical.
Creatures with a vulnerability/resistance/immunity to a damage type have that [whatever] to both mundane and magical damage unless specified.
The Death knight has advantage to saves against spells regardless of damage type.
Thank you!
It's just a little confusing because I don't really see "spells that deal damage count as magical" anywhere, it's just sort of implied.
I don't blame you. Its in the monster rules.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/monsters#MonsterStatistics
Anything a spell does is magical by definition. Basic Rules/Player's Handbook chapter 10 opens up with: "Magic permeates the worlds of D&D and most often appears in the form of a spell." And shortly afterwards: "A spell is a discrete magical effect, a single shaping of the magical energies that suffuse the multiverse into a specific, limited expression."
The example you gave is actually really clear-cut. Even if you skipped or forgot that text, the Magic Resistance trait reminds you it applies to spells in addition to other magical effects. Catapult is definitely a spell, therefore Magic Resistance applies to it. No guesswork needed. You only get into trouble if you start second-guessing what the rules say. In fact, the section on damage types reminds you that damage types have no special rules. Bludgeoning, piercing and slashing are no different from other damage types as far as the game's rules are concerned.
This is true, but it only covers magical attacks, not saving throws like Catapult or Fireball.
If a monster resists bludgeoning, piercing or slashing damage with no other caveats, then it unconditionally resists those damage types, no matter what the source of the damage is. For example, a treant resists the damage from Catapult.
When a monster has resistance to bludgeoning, piercing and slashing damage from nonmagical attacks, the resistance to those damage types is conditional; it only applies to damage coming from an attack that's also nonmagical. If the damage doesn't come from an attack (like Catapult, or falling damage) or the attack is magical, the conditions aren't met.