[RPG] How does damage resistance work with same typed damage from multiple sources

damage-resistancednd-4e

A scenario from our game last night.

We are facing monsters with an Aura 2 that causes 5 cold damage and stacks (enter or start turn in aura). These guys also have an attack that immobilizes and does ongoing 5 cold damage.

Our rogue has the Crown of the Winter King on (resist 5 cold).

During the round one of the monsters attacks her and she is immobilized and has ongoing 5 cold. She is also in the aura of 2 of the monsters.

How much cold damage does she take at the start of her turn?

  • 10 because she takes 15 and only has resist 5

    or

  • 5 because she resists both the save ends damage and half of the aura damage?

Best Answer

The character takes 0 damage.

Being subjected to 3 instances of 5 cold damage does not stack, and each is resisted.

Note - I'm assuming you are referring to the Chillborn Zombie DDI as it appears to match your description.

The Chillborn Zombie was created when the rule was that a creature was only subjected to one instance of damage from overlapping auras. That rule was changed in May 2010. When created, the zombie needed an exception noted in it's aura. It isn't needed since the rule change, and there is no need to grant it a further exception.

This change removes the rule that prevents stacking in damage auras, ensuring that monsters are achieving correct damage output

There is a discussion of this change on the wizards boards, with clarification from customer service.

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