TOPIC: Draco-Lich Claw Charm errata question

Having noticed, in another thread, that the Claw Charm has been 'changed', I thought I might ask a question in regards to that, and maybe elicit more questions to follow.

tokendb.com/token/draco-lich-claw-charm/

I noticed something in regards to another token that does Darkrift damage, the Darkrift Arrow.

tokendb.com/token/darkrift-arrow/

I point out the line "Note: Energy-draining undead (vampire, lich, etc.) are immune to Darkrift energy, but other undead take normal damage from it."

My question is whether or not there are any other exceptions to monsters being damaged by Darkrift? This extra damage was originally just +2 'generic' damage, I believe, but If there are going to be multiple monsters that could avoid the extra +2 damage, I may consider another charm.

Is it a change that this doesn't add damage to spells? I'd thought that "ranged" had been defined fairly recently to include Spells, but I could be mistaken on that.

Mike Steele wrote: Is it a change that this doesn't add damage to spells? I'd thought that "ranged" had been defined fairly recently to include Spells, but I could be mistaken on that.

Pretty sure you're correct on that: Ranged was defined as meaning "any attack at range" - which would include spells.

For comparison, look at Bracers of Supreme Archery which states:

Adds +2 To Hit to all ranged attacks (physical as well as spells cast from the character card which require an attack slide) and +2 Damage to all ranged attacks made with physical weapons.

There, it is careful to clarify that the +2 Damage is only added to physical ranged attacks, since the "ranged attacks" which get +2 to hit clearly include Spells.

(I know it says, "to spells which require an attack slide" but that makes sense, since the +2 is only relevant for slider attacks, and wouldn't affect non-slider)

Mike Steele wrote: Is it a change that this doesn't add damage to spells? I'd thought that "ranged" had been defined fairly recently to include Spells, but I could be mistaken on that.

Ever since 2011, DLCC never added damage to spells. According to some schools of thought, whether or not it should may no longer be debated.

Brad Mortensen wrote:

Mike Steele wrote: Is it a change that this doesn't add damage to spells? I'd thought that "ranged" had been defined fairly recently to include Spells, but I could be mistaken on that.

Ever since 2011, DLCC never added damage to spells. According to some schools of thought, whether or not it should may no longer be debated.

I never thought DLCC boosted spells.

I'm pretty sure it never has, and doesn't now.

I think the confusion was introduced because of an announcement during token 2017 token design that Bardsong modifies spell ranged attack damage.

I find this area super confusing.

My best understanding is that:

1. Spells that require a slide (and only spells that require a slide) are ranged attacks, and have been for a very long time.

1a. Note that any spell cast with a scroll or "as a scroll" is unmodifiable except by things that specifically modify scrolls.

1b. I believe, based on wording on page 7 of the Dungeon Master's Guide in the Ranged Attack Spells section: ...Damage bonuses - unless specifically mentioned - do not affect spells."

www.truedungeon.com/newsletter/dmg.pdf

2. It was ruled / clarified during 2017 token design that Bardsong adds it's damage bonus to ranged attack spells (e.g. ones that require a slide), and which can be modified (e.g. ones not cast "as a scroll").

For example, the Pixie Lyre grants +1 to the party's Melee and Ranged attacks, and Jeff very clearly expressed that 4th level Bardsong grants +1 damage to ranged spells, and Pixie Lyre grants another +1.

truedungeon.com/forum?view=topic&catid=594&id=244037&start=24#267850


Indeed the Earcuff of Inspiration now says:

"Spells that require an attack slide gain no additional benefit from Earcuff of Inspiration because bardsong already modifies slide spells–no other token required."

tokendb.com/token/earcuff-of-inspiration/



But now I find myself wondering whether:

"+X damage to ranged attacks" doesn't affect ranged attack spells unless it specifically mentions them (as per DMG) and Bardsong is special.

Or:

Bardsong is not special - anything that gives +damage to ranged attacks benefits slide spells:

This errata does not affect Rybak the Dwarf at all. I'll be keeping mine.

Maybe I was just confused about the issue. Maybe the change recently was that Ranged affected Spells for "To Hit" bonuses, but not for damage.

Spells that require slides are "ranged attack spells." That's why Sniper Specs and bardsong both affect sliding attacks spells.