Damage mechanics

A single attack, spell, trap, or other harmful effect can often result in multiple Damage Rolls. Determining the resulting damage from these various rolls can be difficult due to hidden mechanics which are commonly referred to by the community as damage "sources" and damage "riders". The term damage "instances" is sometimes used in place of damage "sources," but for the purpose of this page the only terms to be used are damage source(s) and damage rider(s). The game does not inform players what is a damage source vs. what is a damage rider, or how these two interact with each other. This page describes the mechanical differences between damage sources and damage riders, how they interact, and lists which effects and abilities fall into each category.

Damage Sources (DS) vs. Damage Riders (DR)

A damage source could be described as what initializes the damage. Examples include striking a target with your weapon, a spell, or thrown items such as an Alchemist's Fire. Damage sources often require the use of an action (e.g. throwing an object such as a grenade), bonus action (e.g. making an attack with your offhand weapon while dual wielding), or reaction (e.g. the  Hellish Rebuke spell).

A damage rider is something which adds additional damage onto the damage source. It can only be present in the event there is an applicable damage source for it to "ride along" with, hence the name of a damage rider. Examples of damage riders include the  Hex spell adding damage to the damage from a Warlock's  Eldritch Blast or weapon attacks, coatings applied to weapons providing additional damage to a weapon attack, a 6th level  Draconic Bloodline applying their elemental affinity to a spell of the appropriate damage type, or a raging 25 adding rage damage to their weapon attacks. Many damage riders are gained from passives or other forms of buffs. Any eligible damage riders from a damaging effect will be applied to a damage source which is a part of that damaging effect.

Damage Riders treated as Damage Sources (DRS)

There are some damage riders which defy the typical trends described above. They still must "ride along" with a damage source in order to be applied, but when the damage is calculated they are treated as damage sources instead of damage riders. This means that these "damage riders which are treated as damage sources" can then cause normal damage riders to be applied once again as part of the same ability (e.g. attack or spell) which caused the damage.

Example Calculation

A character with 18 Strength, the Tavern Brawler Feat,  Lightning Charges (Condition), and the Ring of Flinging uses the Returning Pike to make a thrown weapon attack against a target which is affected by  Hex.

Damage Sources (DS):

• Thrown weapon attack using the Returning Pike applies 1d10 (damage die) + 1 (weapon enchantment) + 4 (Strength modifier) piercing damage

Damage Riders (DR):

•  Lightning Charges (Condition) add +1 Lightning Damage to each damage source
• The Ring of Flinging adds 1d4 damage which is of the same type as the weapon used (piercing in this example) to each damage source.
•  Hex adds 1d6 necrotic damage to each damage source.

Damage Riders treated as Damage Sources (DRS):

• The Tavern Brawler feat allows characters to add their Strength modifier an additional time to damage rolls when using unarmed strikes, improvised weapons, or thrown weapons. When applied to melee attacks this damage bonus is treated as a damage rider. But as of Patch 3 with thrown weapons, this +4 piercing damage from the character's strength score being applied a second time due to the tavern brawler feat being treated as a damage source.

Calculating total damage:

To determine the total damage applied take each DS and DRS. Then apply the damage riders onto each of these. In this example that means one should evaluate the pike damage source plus all damage riders, followed by the Tavern Brawler damage source and all damage riders applied again.

Tavern Brawler on thrown weapon attacks is a DRS, meaning the damage roll in the above scenario would on average yield 28.5 total damage (ignoring resistances) calculated as follows:

• 1d10 (5.5 avg) (weapon damage die) + 1 (weapon enchantment) + 4 (Strength modifier) Piercing from the Returning Pike thrown weapon attack, [DS]
  • +1d4 (2.5 avg) Piercing damage from the Ring of Flinging, [DR]
  • +1 Lightning damage from  Lightning Charges (Condition), [DR]
  • +1d6 (3.5 avg) Necrotic damage from  Hex, [DR]

• +4 Piercing damage from Tavern Brawler, [DRS]
  • +1d4 (2.5 avg) Piercing damage from the Ring of Flinging being applied to Tavern Brawler damage source, [DR]
  • +1 Lightning damage from  Lightning Charges (Condition) being applied to Tavern Brawler damage source, [DR]
  • +1d6 (3.5 avg) Necrotic damage from  Hex being applied to Tavern Brawler damage source [DR]

As a hypothetical scenario to show the impact that this minor detail can have, instead imagine Tavern Brawler were to be treated as a DR in the above scenairo. In this hypothetical scenario the above damage roll would yield 21.5 total damage on average (ignoring resistances) calculated as follows:

• 1d10 (5.5 avg) (weapon damage die) + 1 (weapon enchantment) + 4 (Strength modifier) Piercing from the Returning Pike thrown weapon attack, [DS]
  • +1d4 (2.5 avg) Piercing damage from the Ring of Flinging, [DR]
  • +1 Lightning damage from  Lightning Charges (Condition), [DR]
  • +1d6 (3.5 avg) Necrotic damage from  Hex, [DR]
  • +4 Piercing damage from Tavern Brawler, [If Tavern Brawler were to hypothetically be treated as a DR with thrown weapon attacks]

DRS effects

The following are a list of items and abilities which have DRS effects, and what the relevant DRS effect is.

Weapons

Item	Act Found	Relevant Effect	Notes
Arrow of Acid	All	Deals Weapon Damage + 2d4Acid (Dexterity Save to negate). Creates a permanent Acid Surface.	N/a
Arrow of Fire	All	Deals weapon damage + 2d4Fire (Dexterity Save to negate). Creates a Fire Surface for 2 turns.	N/a
Arrow of Ice	All	Deals weapon damage + 2d4Cold (Dexterity Save to negate). Creates an Ice Surface for 2 turns.	N/a
Arrow of Lightning	All	Deals weapon damage + 2d4Lightning (Dexterity Save to negate).	N/a
Prepared (Condition)	All	Spend 6 m / 20 ft of your movement to deal additional physical damage (minimum 1) on each successful weapon attack for the rest of the turn.	Weapon Action available to all Greataxes. Recharges on Short Rest
Assassin's Touch	One	Deathly Slumber: Deals an additional 1d4 Necrotic damage to creatures that are   Knocked Out or  Sleeping .	N/a
Deep Delver: Dig Deep	One	Inflicts Shattered on hit. When attacking a Shattered target, deal an additional 1d4Piercing damage.	N/a
Dragon's Grasp: Burned Alive	One	Deals an additional 1d4Slashing damage to  Burning targets.	Can apply multiple times.
Exterminator's Axe: Scourge of Pets	One	Deals an additional 1d6Fire damage to Plants, Insects or Small creatures.	N/a
Firestoker: Burned Alive	One	Deals an additional 1d4Piercing damage to  Burning targets.	Can apply multiple times.
Hoppy: Revitalising Strike	One	Revitalising Strike: Smash into a foe, wounding them and healing your own injuries. On a hit, heal 1d6hit points. You deal additional  Necrotic damage equal to your Proficiency Bonus.	This is a weapon action specific to this weapon. As with all weapon actions, it recharges on a short rest.
Loviatar's Scourge: Willing Whip	One	Willing Whip: Grants Resistance to Necrotic damage. Deals an additional 1d6Necrotic damage to nearby targets, including the wielder.	This damage does not benefit from many damage riders that are applied to the base weapon attack. For instance when used as part of a smite attack, bonus damage applied to spells is not applied to the damage caused by the willing whip ability.
Ritual Dagger: Blood Sacrifice	One	Blood Sacrifice: Pain is a path to power. Take 1d4Slashing damage to receive a +1d4 bonus to Attack Rolls and Saving Throws.	Damage riders are applied to the self inflicted damage.
Shortsword of First Blood	One	Break the Unbroken: Deal an additional 1d8Piercing damage to targets that still have all their hitpoints.	The target must be at full health.
The Blast Pendant: Lightning Blast	One	Lightning Blast: Once per Long Rest you may focus the electricity in your veins as a bonus action. Your next lightning spell or cantrip deals additional Lightning Lightning damage equal to your remaining  Lightning Charges. On a hit, all of your Lightning Charges are consumed.	This is a usable once per long rest and only applies to Lightning Spells or cantrips.
Very Heavy Greataxe: Gargantuan Cleave	One or Two	Gargantuan Cleave: Swing your weapon with all your might. You can attack multiple targets, but become  Off Balance.	This is a weapon action specific to this weapon. As with all weapon actions, it recharges on a short rest.
Blooded Greataxe: Relentless Revenge	One	When the wielder has 50% hit points or less, they deal an additional 1d4Slashing damage.	N/a
Phalar Aluve: Shriek	One	All enemies within 6m of range have a 1d4 penalty to Charisma, Wisdom and Intelligence Saving Throws. Affected creatures receive an extra 1d4Thunder damage. The sword will stop Shrieking if unequipped.	This is a weapon action specific to this weapon. As with all weapon actions, it recharges on a short rest.
Soulbreaker Greatsword: Soulbreaker	One	Soulbreaker: Rend the enemy's body and soul, dealing an additional 4Psychic damage, and possibly  Stun them.	This is a weapon action specific to this weapon. As with all weapon actions, it recharges on a short rest.
Lightning Jabber	Two	Throwing: Lighting Damage: When launched at a target, deal an additional 1d4Lightning damage.	This is only works when thrown.
Render of Mind and Body: Psychic Steel Virtuoso	Two	When the wielder attacks with Advantage, they deal an additional 1d8Psychic damage	Only applies to attacks made with the weapon itself.
Moonlight Glaive: Moonlight Butterflies	Two	Moonlight Butterflies: Strike a foe, conjuring an illusory swarm of moon-pale butterflies, gaining Advantage on attacks against the target. Deal additional Psychic damage equal to your Proficiency Bonus. When the target moves away from your illusion, it takes 1d6Psychic damage.	This is a weapon action specific to this weapon. As with all weapon actions, it recharges on a short rest.
Punch-Drunk Bastard	Two	Tippler's Rage: When you have the  Alcohol condition, you have Advantage on Attack Rolls. You also create a blast with each attack, dealing 1d4Thunder damage for 3m / 10ft.	This damage does not benefit from many damage riders that are applied to the base weapon attack. For instance when used as part of a smite attack, bonus damage applied to spells is not applied to the damage caused by the Tippler's Rage ability.
Justiciar's Scimitar: Shadowsoaked Blow	Two	Shadowsoaked Blow: Strike an enemy, adding your Proficiency Bonus to the damage. Moreover, if the attack hits, it also deals an additional 1d6Psychic damage. This attack doesn't break concealment.	This is a weapon action specific to this weapon. As with all weapon actions, it recharges on a short rest.
Sword of Life Stealing	Two	On a Critical Hit, the target takes an extra 10Necrotic damage as long as it isn't a construct or an undead. You also gain 10 temporary hit points.	N/a
The Undead Bane: Profane Scourge	Three	Profane Scourge: Strike with subjugating fury, adding your Proficiency Bonus to the damage roll. If you hit a Fiend or Undead creature, deal an additional 2d6Slashing damage and possibly  Bane it. Undead and Constructs can't  Bleed.	This is a weapon action specific to this weapon. As with all weapon actions, it recharges on a short rest. This weapons special bonus damage vs undead and fiends is applied to both the weapons base damage and the damage applied by the Profane Scourge weapon action.
Craterflesh Gloves: Craterous Wounds	Three	Whenever you score a Critical Hit, deal an additional 1d6Force damage.	N/a
Stalker Gloves: Skullduggery Attack	Three	Your   Sneak Attack deals an additional 1d4Force damage	N/a
Hellfire Greataxe: Hellflame Cleave	Three	Hellflame Cleave: Spew hellish flames and strike your foes. On Save: Targets still take half damage. Hellfire ignores Resistance and Immunity to Fire damage.	This is a weapon action specific to this weapon. As with all weapon actions, it recharges on a short rest. This weapon action counts as a spell for effects that add bonus damage to spells. Bonus damage is applied to the base weapon damage and to the bonus fire damage separately.
The Sacred Star: Dawnburst Strike	Three	Dawnburst Strike: Deal additional Radiant damage equal to your Proficiency Bonus. On a hit, light erupts around you in a 3m / 10ft area. Enemies in the light must succeed a DC 13 Constitution Saving Throw or be  Blinded.	This is a weapon action specific to this weapon. As with all weapon actions, it recharges on a short rest.
Balduran's Giantslayer: Topple the Big Folk	Three	Deal additional damage equal to your Proficiency Bonus. On a hit, Large, Huge, or Gargantuan creatures take an additional 2d6Slashing damage and must suceed a Strength Saving Throw or fall Prone.	This is a weapon action specific to this weapon. As with all weapon actions, it recharges on a short rest.
Crimson Mischief: Redvein Savagery	Three	(Only when wielded in main hand) When you make an attack with Advantage, the target takes an additional 7Piercing damage.	This applies for most damage sources in the base attack, It does not apply on some DRSs eg the ranger colossus slayer ability.
Duelist's Prerogative: Withering Cut	Three	(Only when wielded in main hand) On a hit with a melee weapon, use a reaction to deal additional Necrotic damage equal to your Proficiency Bonus.	N/a
Nyrulna: Zephyr Connection	Three	Zephyr Connection: This weapon will return to your hand when thrown. You cannot be forced to drop the trident. When thrown, the weapon creates an explosion that deals 3d4Thunder damage in a 6m/20ft blast centered on the target.	This is only works when thrown. This damage does not benefit from many damage riders that are applied to the base weapon attack.
Silver Sword of the Astral Plane: Soulbreaker	One or Three	Soulbreaker: Rend the enemy's body and soul, dealing an additional 4Psychic damage, and possibly  Stun them.	This is a weapon action specific to this weapon. As with all weapon actions, it recharges on a short rest.

Class Abilities

Class	Level Obtained	Relevant Effect	Notes
Rogue	1	Sneak Attack: Deal an extra 1d6 damage to a foe you have Advantage against. You can also use Sneak Attack if you have an ally within 1.5m / 5ft of the target and you don't have Disadvantage.	Sneak Attack is only treated as a damage source if you use the automatic reaction. Using the Sneak Attack action is instead treated as a damage rider.
Paladin	2	Divine Smite: Your weapon emanates divine might as you strike, dealing an additional 2d8Radiant damage. Deals an additional 1d8Radiant damage to Fiends and Undead.	N/a
Hunter	3	Colossus Slayer: Once per turn, your weapon attack deals an extra 1d8Physical damage if the target is below its hit point maximum	This can be applied multiple times for each damage source in the portion of the attack that triggers it. This could include the entire attack or just portions of it.
Cleric	8	Divine Strike: Once per turn, deal 1d8 damage (damage type depends on Cleric Domain) in addition to your weapon's damage.	The 1d8Physical variant from  War Domain is treated as a damage source only when triggered as a reaction. All other variants of  Divine Strike work as damage sources either when used as a reaction or when used directly.
Way of Shadow	11	Shadow Strike: Teleport to a foe from a hidden position, striking them with the creeping, psychic ferocity of the shadows themselves, dealing an additional 3d8Psychic damage.	N/a
Warlock	12	Lifedrinker: Your melee attacks deal additional Necrotic equal to your Charisma modifier.	N/a

Spells

Ability	Ability Type	Relevant Effect	Notes
Eldritch Blast	Cantrip	Conjure a beam of crackling energy. Deals 1d10Force damage to a target. This cantrip fires an additional beam at level 5 and 10.	Has a damage source per beam fired.
Ensnaring Strike (Melee) and  Ensnaring Strike (Ranged)	1st Level Spell	Your attack summons thorny vines, dealing Weapon Damage and possibly  Ensnaring your target. Ensnared creatures cannot move and take 1d6Piercing damage at the start of each turn. An ally can use their Help Action to try and tear away the vines.	Ensnaring Strike allows spell based bonus damage to ride along with weapon based damage riders as sources. Most damage riders do not apply to the ongoing damage.
Hail of Thorns	1st Level Spell	Shoot a volley of thorns. They deal weapon damagePhysical and explode, dealing an additional 1d10Piercing damage to the target and surrounding creatures.	The initial hit and explosion are separate damage sources.
Ice Knife	1st Level Spell	Throw a shard of ice that deals 1d10Piercing damage. It explodes and deals 2d6Cold damage to anyone nearby. It leaves an Ice Surface. On miss, the shard of ice still explodes.	The Piercing and Cold Damage are separate damage sources.
Magic Missile	1st Level Spell	Create three darts of magical force, each dealing 1d4 + 1Force damage to its target. The darts always hit their target, and can each be targeted individually.	Each dart fired is a separate damage sources.
Searing Smite	1st Level Spell	Your weapon flares with white-hot intensity. It deals, on top of weapon damage, an extra 1d6Fire damage and marks the target with  Searing Smite. A target with Searing Smite takes 1d6Fire damage every turn, until it succeeds on a Constitution Saving throw.	The weapon damage and extra fire damage are separate damage sources. Searing Smite allows spell based bonus damage to ride along with weapon based damage riders as sources. Most damage riders do not apply to the ongoing damage.
Thunderous Smite	1st Level Spell	Your weapon rings with thunder as you strike, pushing your target 3 m / 10 ft away and possibly knocking them  Prone. In addition, your weapon deals an additional 2d6Thunder damage.	The weapon damage and extra thunder damage are separate damage sources. Thunderous Smite allows spell based bonus damage to ride along with weapon based damage riders as sources.
Witch Bolt	1st Level Spell	Link yourself to a target with a bolt of lightning. Deal an additional 1d12Lightning each turn by activating it.	The additional activations apply most damage riders and are a separate damage source.
Wrathful Smite	1st Level Spell	Your weapon absorbs your wrath as you strike, possibly  Frightening your target. In addition, your weapon deals an additional 1d6Psychic damage.	The weapon damage and extra psychic damage are separate damage sources. Wrathful Smite allows spell based bonus damage to ride along with weapon based damage riders as sources.
Branding Smite	2nd Level Spell	Your weapon gleams with astral radiance as you strike and possibly mark your targets with light, preventing it from turning  Invisible. In addition, your weapon deals an additional 2d6Radiant damage.	The weapon damage and extra radiant damage are separate damage sources. Branding Smite allows spell based bonus damage to ride along with weapon based damage riders as sources.
Heat Metal	2nd Level Spell	Cause a metal Weapon or Armour to glow red-hot and force the creature touching it to let go or receive Disadvantage on Attack rolls and Ability Checks. If the creature is only wearing metal armour, it always receives Disadvantage. If the creature is still touching the metal, you can use a Bonus Action on subsequent turns to  Reapply Heat Metal to deal another 2d8Fire damage and force the creature to let go or receive Disadvantage.	The additional activations apply most damage riders and are a separate damage source.
Scorching Ray	2nd Level Spell	Hurl 3 rays of fire. Each ray deals 2d6Fire damage.	Each ray is a separate damage source.
Blinding Smite	3rd Level Spell	Evoke a heavenly flare and possibly Blind your target. In addition, your weapon deals an additional 3d8Radiant damage.	The weapon damage and extra radiant damage are separate damage sources. Blinding Smite allows spell based bonus damage to ride along with weapon based damage riders as sources.
Call Lightning	3rd Level Spell	Call down lightning to hit all targets within range and its area of effect for 3d10Lightning damage.	The additional activations apply most damage riders and are a separate damage source.
Lightning Arrow	3rd Level Spell	This spell allows spellcasters to fire an arrow of electricity that bursts on impact, dealing additional Lightning damage to creatures in the vicinity.	The initial hit and explosion are separate damage sources.
Ice Storm	4th Level Spell	Impel a storm of hail and ice to crash from the sky, covering the ground and striking all objects and creatures within range, dealing Bludgeoning and Cold damage. It also creates an Ice Surface that lasts 2 turns.	The Bludgeoning and Cold damage are separate damage sources.
Curriculum of Strategy: Artistry of War	5th Level Spell	Summon the apparitions of 6 master strategists. Each apparition strikes a target of your choosing, dealing 2d6 + 6Force damage (for a total of 12d6 + 36Force).	Each of the six apparitions is a separate damage source.
Destructive Wave	5th Level Spell	Create a shockwave of either divine or malevolent thunder that damages nearby creatures and possibly knocks them  Prone. This spell deals 5d6 Thunder damage and 5d6 Radiant or 5d6 Necrotic damage.	The Thunder and Radiant or Necrotic damage are separate damage sources.
Flame Strike	5th Level Spell	This spells allows the caster to make a pillar of divine flame at a chosen location dealing 5d6 Fire damage and 5d6 Radiant damage.	The Fire and Radiant damage are separate damage sources.
Sunbeam	6th Level Spell	This spell allows spellcasters to project a beam of light, Blinding and dealing 6d8 Radiant damage to everything in its path. You can then use  Recast Sunbeam on subsequent turns without expending a Spell Slot.	The additional activations apply most damage riders and are a separate damage source.

Other Abilities

Ability	Ability Type	Relevant Effect	Notes
Hunter's Mark	1st Level Spell	Mark a creature as your quarry to deal an additional 1d6Physical damage whenever you hit it with a weapon attack.	Only when used with thrown weapon attacks.
Tavern Brawler	Feat	When you make an unarmed attack, use an improvised weapon, or throw something, your strength modifier is added twice to the damage and Attack Roll	Only when used with thrown weapon attacks.

Technical details

The scripts defining all the effects in the game are found in .txt files inside Gustav.pak and Shared.pak. (See Modding:Unpacking and converting files). In these scripts, damage rider effects are implemented with one of several damage functions. These are:

• WeaponDamage(), CharacterWeaponDamage(), and CharacterUnarmedDamage():
  The basic, well-behaved damage bonuses are implemented with this function. The bonus will apply only to the triggering attack, and nothing else.
  Example effect: 2Acid from Caustic Band.
• DamageBonus():
  Damage riders using this function will apply their bonus damage to each independent damage instance. When combined with damage riders using DealDamage() (see below), a single attack can create numerous independent damage instances. In these cases, DamageBonus() will apply its bonus damage multiple times, but WeaponDamage() only once.
  Example effect: 2Radiant from Callous Glow Ring.
• DealDamage():
  This function is used by all damaging attacks, spells, and status effects to apply their damage. It is also used by "damage riders treated as damage sources" to apply their bonus damage. It creates a separate damage instance that can be independently boosted by applicable DamageBonus() effects. Furthermore, damage riders using DealDamage() can trigger each other in some cases, creating far more damage instances than might be expected.
  Example effect: 1d8Physical from Colossus Slayer.

Each of these functions can optionally specify the damage type. If not specified, the damage type will be inherited from the triggering DealDamage() instance.

Potential bugs

The following items compose a non-exhaustive list which indicates that the "Damage Riders" as compared to "Damage Riders treated as Damage Sources" may include several bugs and therefore many of these abilities may change in future patches:

• Patch 3 changed Lightning Charges from a "Damage Rider treated as a Damage Source" to a "Damage Rider."
• Tavern Brawler is treated as a Damage Rider with unarmed attacks and improvised weapon attacks, but as a "Damage Rider treated as a Damage Source" when it comes to thrown weapon attacks.
• Sneak Attack is treated as a Damage Rider when a character uses the Sneak Attack action, but as a "Damage Rider treated as a Damage Source" when Sneak Attack is applied by the automatic reaction system.