Damage Types

Blunt force attacks — hammers, falling, constriction — that deal bludgeoning damage. Skeletons are typically vulnerable, while many oozes resist it.

Puncture and stab attacks — arrows, spears, and bites — that penetrate the target. Effective against unarmored foes, resisted by some constructs.

Cutting attacks — swords, axes, and claws — that slice through flesh and armor. The most common melee damage type alongside piercing.

Flames, explosions, and searing heat that burn the target. Fire damage ignites flammable objects and is resisted by many fiends and red dragons.

Freezing blasts, icy winds, and bitter chill that slow and shatter. Cold damage is resisted by white dragons and many undead creatures.

Electric shocks and crackling bolts that surge through the target. Lightning damage is resisted by blue dragons and some elementals.

Corrosive substances that dissolve flesh, metal, and stone. Acid damage is resisted by black dragons and certain oozes.

Toxic substances and venomous attacks that corrupt the body. Poison damage is the most commonly resisted or immunized damage type among monsters.

Concussive bursts of sound and shockwaves that batter the target. Thunder damage can shatter objects and is relatively rarely resisted.

Mental assaults that attack the mind directly, bypassing physical defenses. Psychic damage is rarely resisted, making it particularly potent.

Dark energy that withers matter and drains life force. Necrotic damage is dealt by undead creatures and necromancy spells, and can reduce hit point maximums.

Holy light and divine energy that sears evil creatures. Radiant damage is especially effective against undead and fiends.

Pure magical energy formed into a damaging force. Force damage — like Magic Missile — is the rarest and least resisted damage type in the game.