TOPIC: Destruction of Ioun Stones - SPOILER

So - if it takes 40 points of damage to destroy a Black Pearl Ioun Stone - does that mean that when Smoak does a 60 point fire breath area attack, that all of our Ioun Stones will shatter into a million pieces?  I sure hope not! 

My assumption is if you take 60 points of damage you die and take your precious stones with you to the grave.  Otherwise three will be a lot of unhappy people.<br />  This whole - hit the stone thing is confusing and I hope Jeff returns soon to explain the mechanics of what works and what doesn't against the ioun stone and does it work both ways (vs. PCs as well as monsters).<br />Right now everything is speculation.

That's not the way it works in standard D&D, AoE attacks do not effect items on the wearer unless specifically stated (like certain sonic attacks affecting crystal/glass items).  And even then, the items generally get a save as well.<br /><br />I would guess (hope) that to speed combat along and avoid further annoying the players, TD will work the same way.

Mmm, then that might have an impact on what spells will work vs. Smoaks Pearl.<br /><br />So spells that direct target (so magic missile, melf's acid arrow, scorching rays, chain lightning (as it sends a bolt to each monster in the room), call lightning would work)  But burst attacks (which at this point I only know of Burning Hands) would not?

There are also a few other items that may damage the stone if it is treated as a monster: the Pilum (sp?) of Lightning, the uncommon fire berry-thingy from last year, and the Soundburst scroll.  I don't recall if there are any other "affects multiple monsters" items out there.<br /><br />I'm also curious to know if the Thunder Stone or +1 Staff of Striking might do extra damage to the Ioun Stone.

True, but those items require slides to hit, and they typically were vs. the monsters AC on the board.  Here the Ioun stone is a physical spot on the board without a printed AC, so my guess is those items (so all those thrown things from Orb of Pelor to Pilum of Lightning to Orb of Acid) would need to hit that spot, which is why spells may be the answer - hence Jeffs comments about wizards having value for the team.

From the man himself - Jeff posted the following on the lore board<br />

<br />More Info on Ioun Stones<br /><br />Smoak's Spell Resistance does not work any Ioun Stone.<br /><br />Only these tokens (and spell) automatically hit an Ioun Stone:<br /><br />1) Magic Missile (spell, scroll and wand)<br />2) Ring of the Ram<br /><br />No other magic effect will damage an Ioun Stone as they are highly resistant to magic (other than "force damage").<br /><br /><br />Attacks Against Ioun Stones<br /><br />Because Ioun Stones move so fast, it is impossible for a character to grab a stone with their hand or any other device (like a Mage Hand).  It can only be struck with a weapon that lands touching the Ioun Stone area.  No "to hit" bonuses affect this slide.  You must land on the Ioun Stone to damage it.  <br />

<br />There are also a few other items that may damage the stone if it is treated as a monster: the Pilum (sp?) of Lightning, the uncommon fire berry-thingy from last year, and the Soundburst scroll.  I don't recall if there are any other "affects multiple monsters" items out there.<br /><br />I'm also curious to know if the Thunder Stone or +1 Staff of Striking might do extra damage to the Ioun Stone.<br />

<br /><br />Affect multiple monsters may be key if that works on the IOUN and others...<br /><br />And what about SONIC attacks...?  Would that have a chance at shattering the IOUN?

I had wondered about sonic attacks and if they would work.

<br />

<br />There are also a few other items that may damage the stone if it is treated as a monster: the Pilum (sp?) of Lightning, the uncommon fire berry-thingy from last year, and the Soundburst scroll.  I don't recall if there are any other "affects multiple monsters" items out there.<br /><br />I'm also curious to know if the Thunder Stone or +1 Staff of Striking might do extra damage to the Ioun Stone.<br />

<br /><br />Affect multiple monsters may be key if that works on the IOUN and others...<br /><br />And what about SONIC attacks...?  Would that have a chance at shattering the IOUN?<br />

<br /><br />Based on Jeffs response in the lore thread, only FORCE spells have any impact on the Pearl

But isn't sound a force in a way?

It has no mass. Thus, it cannot have a force.