In a monk PvP, there's been a lot of deflected attacks, but the way I'm reading rules as written, it looks like an attack that hits, but is fully deflected for no damage, could still prompt a stunning strike. Am I reading that reasonably, or does deflecting the damage also deny a stunning strike?
“Stunning Strike” only requires that the blow hits its target and does not require it to cause damage. It can be assumed that the damage from the attack will be deflected, but “Stunning Strike” can be performed without any problems. The attack that causes damage and “Stunning Strike” should be viewed as two separate elements.
For information, “Deflect Attacks” only reduces and deflects the damage of the attack, and there is no mention of it canceling secondary effects.
For example, if a spellcaster casts the spell “Chill Touch,” the monk can reduce and deflect the damage, but the monk will still not be able to regain HP until the end of the spellcaster's next turn. This only applies if the effect is not directly related to damage.
Level 5: Stunning Strike
Once per turn when you hit a creature with a Monk weapon or an Unarmed Strike, you can expend 1 Focus Point to attempt a stunning strike. The target must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the target has the Stunned condition until the start of your next turn. On a successful save, the target’s Speed is halved until the start of your next turn, and the next attack roll made against the target before then has Advantage.
Level 3: Deflect Attacks
When an attack rollhits you and its damage includes Bludgeoning, Piercing, or Slashing damage, you can take a Reaction to reduce the attack’s total damage against you. The reduction equals 1d10 plus your Dexterity modifier and Monk level.
If you reduce the damage to 0, you can expend 1 Focus Point to redirect some of the attack’s force. If you do so, choose a creature you can see within 5 feet of yourself if the attack was a melee attack or a creature you can see within 60 feet of yourself that isn’t behind Total Cover if the attack was a ranged attack. That creature must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take damage equal to two rolls of your Martial Arts die plus your Dexterity modifier. The damage is the same type dealt by the attack.
Chill Touch
Level 0 Necromancy (Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard)
Casting Time: Action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous
Channeling the chill of the grave, make a melee spell attack against a target within reach. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 Necrotic damage, and it can't regain Hit Points until the end of your next turn. Cantrip Upgrade. The damage increases by 1d10 when you reach levels 5 (2d10), 11 (3d10), and 17 (4d10).
In a monk PvP, there's been a lot of deflected attacks, but the way I'm reading rules as written, it looks like an attack that hits, but is fully deflected for no damage, could still prompt a stunning strike. Am I reading that reasonably, or does deflecting the damage also deny a stunning strike?
“Stunning Strike” only requires that the blow hits its target and does not require it to cause damage. It can be assumed that the damage from the attack will be deflected, but “Stunning Strike” can be performed without any problems. The attack that causes damage and “Stunning Strike” should be viewed as two separate elements.
For information, “Deflect Attacks” only reduces and deflects the damage of the attack, and there is no mention of it canceling secondary effects.
For example, if a spellcaster casts the spell “Chill Touch,” the monk can reduce and deflect the damage, but the monk will still not be able to regain HP until the end of the spellcaster's next turn. This only applies if the effect is not directly related to damage.