Damage Types

Glossary

Glossary term

Attacks and other harmful effects deal different types of damage. Damage types have no rules of their own, but other rules, such as Resistance, rely on the types. The Damage Types table offers examples to help a GM assign a type to a new effect.

Damage Types

Type Examples
Acid Corrosive liquids, digestive enzymes
Bludgeoning Blunt objects, constriction, falling
Cold Freezing water, icy blasts
Fire Flames, unbearable heat
Force Pure magical energy
Lightning Electricity
Necrotic Life-draining energy
Piercing Fangs, puncturing objects
Poison Toxic gas, venom
Psychic Mind-rending energy
Radiant Holy energy, searing radiation
Slashing Claws, cutting objects
Thunder Concussive sound

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This work includes material from the System Reference Document 5.2.1 ("SRD 5.2.1") by Wizards of the Coast LLC, available at https://www.dndbeyond.com/srd. The SRD 5.2.1 is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, available at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode.

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