Damage type/sandbox

Weapons and spells inflict damage of various types.

Elemental energy types
Elemental energy is broadly interpreted to include a wide variety of energy types. Various monsters may be vulnerable, resistant, immune, or even healed by each of these types. Most of the classical elements have sub-types, subject to most of the same modifiers. Types and sub-types are as follows.


 * Air
 * Electricity
 * Earth
 * Acid
 * Fire
 * Force
 * Light
 * Poison
 * Sonic
 * Water
 * Cold
 * Negative energy
 * Positive energy

Alignment types
The four alignment types are:
 * Chaotic
 * Evil
 * Good
 * Lawful

Except where stated otherwise, alignment damage affects all targets equally. Exceptions include:
 * Some alignment-based spells indicate exceptions in their descriptions.
 * Some creatures have damage reduction (DR) that can be bypassed by alignment damage.
 * Golems are the only creature type resistant to alignment damage.
 * Certain weapon and item enchantments inflict negative levels on wielders of incompatible alignment.

See also:
 * Alignment damage (weapon)
 * Alignment damage (spells)

Untyped damage
Untyped damage is inflicted by bane weapons and certain spells, such as Finger of Death. Such damage cannot be resisted. Most untyped spells are affected by Force spell power modifiers.

Physical damage types
Some creatures have DR that is bypassed by one or more types of physical damage.
 * Bludgeoning
 * Piercing
 * Slashing

Material types
Some creatures have DR that is bypassed by one or more weapon materials.
 * Adamantine
 * Byeshk
 * Cold iron
 * Crystal
 * Mithral
 * Silver

Ability damage
Certain creatures and magical effects can cause temporary ability damage (a reduction to an ability score). This damage is specific to one (or more) Abilities. In some cases this reduction disappears over time, but usually it requires visiting a shrine or tavern to remove the penalty.

Instant death
A few spells, such as Finger of Death, produce an instant death (a.k.a. instakill) effect, which instantly destroys any foe that succumbs. Red- and purple-named bosses are immune. Typically, so are non-living monster types, as indicated in the effect description. Deathblock items and the Death Ward spell provide temporary immunity.

Misc damage
A few classes and monsters have access to a unique source of damage which is not listed above. Examples include a ranger's bonus against favored enemies, a rogue's sneak attack, and a monk's Quivering Palm.