Stumped on how damage is being calculated (I know how Thaco and AC works) (Solved)

thedane

So I really can't figure out how damage is being handled. I have been reading various posts and articles about damage calculation and none of them mention anything about what I am experiencing. Basically during a fight what I will see in the combat log is this:

Khalid-Attacks Skeleton
Khalid-Attack Roll 13+1=14: Hit
Khalid did 4 damage to skeleton (8-4)

So what is happening on that last line? My roll hits and I roll my dmg die, which in this case is an 8. Why is the skeleton getting 4 dmg reduced from the dmg roll? If I understand AC correctly armor is just to determine if a roll hits and doesnt have anything to do with mitigation. Can someone explain this to me? I cant find anything about this online.

Mitchfork

Bones undead, and certain other enemy types, have Damage Resistance, which is a separate attribute from their normal Armor Class. Skeletons specifically have a 50% resistance to piercing and slashing, so any damage they take from weapons of those types (arrows, long sword, etc.) gets reduced by 50%, which is what that line is telling you.

EDIT: Forgot that skellies also have missile resistance of 90% as Noon pointed out, so you're doing even less damage with arrows.

Noon

Skeletons have a damage resistance (which has nothing to do with AC) of 50% against slashing and piercing weapons and 90% against missile (=distance) weapons. Khalid did 4 dmg because half was absorbed by the resistance.
Skeletons weakness are blunt weapons btw.

thedane

OHHHHHH that makes so much sense. Now I can get back to playing. Thanks guys!

AstroBryGuy

Try a staff, mace, hammer, etc... Skeletons don't have any resistance to crushing weapons.