What It Is

Piercing is a damage type. Damage types label what kind of harm an attack, spell, hazard, or feature deals.

This page is a compact play reference. If a spell, feature, monster, item, or DM ruling gives a more specific instruction, use that specific instruction.

How To Use It

Use piercing when applying damage, resistance, immunity, vulnerability, or features that care about that damage type.

Limits And Rolls

  • A damage type does not decide the damage dice by itself; the attack, spell, feature, or hazard gives the dice.
  • Resistance usually halves damage of that type; vulnerability usually doubles it; immunity prevents it.
  • If an effect changes the damage type, use the new type for resistance, immunity, vulnerability, and related features.
  • Roll the damage dice given by the source of the damage.

FAQ

What is Piercing in D&D?

Piercing is a rules reference that explains one part of character creation, exploration, combat, or spellcasting.

Read more: Piercing A stylized pointed impact icon representing piercing damage. D&D Portal - Piercing Damage type Piercing is a damage type used by attacks, spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/piercing/

How does Piercing work?

The Piercing page explains the rule, its requirements, and the result during play.

Read more: Piercing A stylized pointed impact icon representing piercing damage. D&D Portal - Piercing Damage type Piercing is a damage type used by attacks, spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/piercing/

How do you use Piercing during play?

Use the Piercing rules when the situation described on the page occurs during a game.

Read more: Piercing A stylized pointed impact icon representing piercing damage. D&D Portal - Piercing Damage type Piercing is a damage type used by attacks, spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/piercing/