If someone casts Vampiric Touch on a creature with necrotic absorption, does the caster take damage?












4














Leaving aside the question of if there's any way in the manual for anyone to have necrotic absorption in 5e (which as far as I know isn't the case), and given the text of Vampiric Touch as follows, would attacking a creature that heals from Vampiric Touch do damage to the caster?
Vampiric Touch:




Make a melee spell attack against a creature within your reach. On a hit, the target takes 3d6 necrotic damage, and you regain hit points equal to half the amount of necrotic damage dealt. Until the spell ends, you can make the attack again on each of your turns as an action.




It has been brought to my attention that damage absorption is not actually a keyword. The following explanation is sourced from The Rise of Tiamat (aka Tyranny of Dragons) campaign, attached to the dragon masks.




Damage Absorption. [...]whenever you are subjected to damage of that type, you take none of that damage and regain a number of hit points equal to half the damage dealt of that type.











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  • If, as you say, a creature has necrotic absorption, how that functions is homebrew. Please clarify the question so it can be answered in this way.
    – L0neGamer
    4 hours ago






  • 1




    @L0neGamer whoops. Added source.
    – Stackstuck
    3 hours ago
















4














Leaving aside the question of if there's any way in the manual for anyone to have necrotic absorption in 5e (which as far as I know isn't the case), and given the text of Vampiric Touch as follows, would attacking a creature that heals from Vampiric Touch do damage to the caster?
Vampiric Touch:




Make a melee spell attack against a creature within your reach. On a hit, the target takes 3d6 necrotic damage, and you regain hit points equal to half the amount of necrotic damage dealt. Until the spell ends, you can make the attack again on each of your turns as an action.




It has been brought to my attention that damage absorption is not actually a keyword. The following explanation is sourced from The Rise of Tiamat (aka Tyranny of Dragons) campaign, attached to the dragon masks.




Damage Absorption. [...]whenever you are subjected to damage of that type, you take none of that damage and regain a number of hit points equal to half the damage dealt of that type.











share|improve this question
























  • If, as you say, a creature has necrotic absorption, how that functions is homebrew. Please clarify the question so it can be answered in this way.
    – L0neGamer
    4 hours ago






  • 1




    @L0neGamer whoops. Added source.
    – Stackstuck
    3 hours ago














4












4








4







Leaving aside the question of if there's any way in the manual for anyone to have necrotic absorption in 5e (which as far as I know isn't the case), and given the text of Vampiric Touch as follows, would attacking a creature that heals from Vampiric Touch do damage to the caster?
Vampiric Touch:




Make a melee spell attack against a creature within your reach. On a hit, the target takes 3d6 necrotic damage, and you regain hit points equal to half the amount of necrotic damage dealt. Until the spell ends, you can make the attack again on each of your turns as an action.




It has been brought to my attention that damage absorption is not actually a keyword. The following explanation is sourced from The Rise of Tiamat (aka Tyranny of Dragons) campaign, attached to the dragon masks.




Damage Absorption. [...]whenever you are subjected to damage of that type, you take none of that damage and regain a number of hit points equal to half the damage dealt of that type.











share|improve this question















Leaving aside the question of if there's any way in the manual for anyone to have necrotic absorption in 5e (which as far as I know isn't the case), and given the text of Vampiric Touch as follows, would attacking a creature that heals from Vampiric Touch do damage to the caster?
Vampiric Touch:




Make a melee spell attack against a creature within your reach. On a hit, the target takes 3d6 necrotic damage, and you regain hit points equal to half the amount of necrotic damage dealt. Until the spell ends, you can make the attack again on each of your turns as an action.




It has been brought to my attention that damage absorption is not actually a keyword. The following explanation is sourced from The Rise of Tiamat (aka Tyranny of Dragons) campaign, attached to the dragon masks.




Damage Absorption. [...]whenever you are subjected to damage of that type, you take none of that damage and regain a number of hit points equal to half the damage dealt of that type.








dnd-5e spells damage-resistance






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share|improve this question













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share|improve this question








edited 3 hours ago

























asked 4 hours ago









Stackstuck

35117




35117












  • If, as you say, a creature has necrotic absorption, how that functions is homebrew. Please clarify the question so it can be answered in this way.
    – L0neGamer
    4 hours ago






  • 1




    @L0neGamer whoops. Added source.
    – Stackstuck
    3 hours ago


















  • If, as you say, a creature has necrotic absorption, how that functions is homebrew. Please clarify the question so it can be answered in this way.
    – L0neGamer
    4 hours ago






  • 1




    @L0neGamer whoops. Added source.
    – Stackstuck
    3 hours ago
















If, as you say, a creature has necrotic absorption, how that functions is homebrew. Please clarify the question so it can be answered in this way.
– L0neGamer
4 hours ago




If, as you say, a creature has necrotic absorption, how that functions is homebrew. Please clarify the question so it can be answered in this way.
– L0neGamer
4 hours ago




1




1




@L0neGamer whoops. Added source.
– Stackstuck
3 hours ago




@L0neGamer whoops. Added source.
– Stackstuck
3 hours ago










2 Answers
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5














No, the caster won't take any damage.




Damage Absorption. [...] whenever you are subjected to damage of that type, you take none of that damage and regain a number of hit points equal to half the damage dealt of that type.




The number of hit points you regain from damage absorption depends on the damage you took, but it is otherwise disconnected from the damage. The regenerated HP are, therefore, not "negative damage" that would be reflected as "reversed negative damage" (i.e. regular damage) onto the caster of Necrotic Touch. However, since the target didn't take any damage, the caster won't heal either.



End result: the caster's hit points remain unaffected, while the target regains hit points equal to half the damage roll.





Regardless of the above, both spells use the term "regain". Looking at the definition and using common sense, it's obvious that "regain" can't refer to stealing something from you (in the case of your example, hit points). Since D&D 5e makes heavy use of regular English language (instead of tons of game terms, even though there are some of those in 5e), it's clear that the spell is not meant to deal damage, even if the spell or absorption would be worded in a way that would render the first section of this answer useless.



Definition of "regain":




to take or get possession of something again







share|improve this answer





























    3














    Spells and features only do what they say they do, so both the caster and the creature will be healed for the damage "dealt"



    Following from this answer, wherein it was discussed that features only do what they have explicitly spelled out, we can see that since neither the absorption feature nor the vampiric touch spell mention a "backflow" affect, the caster would not be damaged by the usage of this spell on a creature with the absorption feature.



    Interestingly, since the damage "dealt" is not completely negated, both the caster and the creature with the feature will heal for half of the necrotic damage "dealt".



    If you wish to rule otherwise, you are, of course, welcome to.






    share|improve this answer





















    • you state "the damage "dealt" is not completely negated", but the quote in the question states "you take none of that damage". Why do you say "not completely negated", then?
      – PixelMaster
      8 mins ago











    Your Answer





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    2 Answers
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    2 Answers
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    active

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    5














    No, the caster won't take any damage.




    Damage Absorption. [...] whenever you are subjected to damage of that type, you take none of that damage and regain a number of hit points equal to half the damage dealt of that type.




    The number of hit points you regain from damage absorption depends on the damage you took, but it is otherwise disconnected from the damage. The regenerated HP are, therefore, not "negative damage" that would be reflected as "reversed negative damage" (i.e. regular damage) onto the caster of Necrotic Touch. However, since the target didn't take any damage, the caster won't heal either.



    End result: the caster's hit points remain unaffected, while the target regains hit points equal to half the damage roll.





    Regardless of the above, both spells use the term "regain". Looking at the definition and using common sense, it's obvious that "regain" can't refer to stealing something from you (in the case of your example, hit points). Since D&D 5e makes heavy use of regular English language (instead of tons of game terms, even though there are some of those in 5e), it's clear that the spell is not meant to deal damage, even if the spell or absorption would be worded in a way that would render the first section of this answer useless.



    Definition of "regain":




    to take or get possession of something again







    share|improve this answer


























      5














      No, the caster won't take any damage.




      Damage Absorption. [...] whenever you are subjected to damage of that type, you take none of that damage and regain a number of hit points equal to half the damage dealt of that type.




      The number of hit points you regain from damage absorption depends on the damage you took, but it is otherwise disconnected from the damage. The regenerated HP are, therefore, not "negative damage" that would be reflected as "reversed negative damage" (i.e. regular damage) onto the caster of Necrotic Touch. However, since the target didn't take any damage, the caster won't heal either.



      End result: the caster's hit points remain unaffected, while the target regains hit points equal to half the damage roll.





      Regardless of the above, both spells use the term "regain". Looking at the definition and using common sense, it's obvious that "regain" can't refer to stealing something from you (in the case of your example, hit points). Since D&D 5e makes heavy use of regular English language (instead of tons of game terms, even though there are some of those in 5e), it's clear that the spell is not meant to deal damage, even if the spell or absorption would be worded in a way that would render the first section of this answer useless.



      Definition of "regain":




      to take or get possession of something again







      share|improve this answer
























        5












        5








        5






        No, the caster won't take any damage.




        Damage Absorption. [...] whenever you are subjected to damage of that type, you take none of that damage and regain a number of hit points equal to half the damage dealt of that type.




        The number of hit points you regain from damage absorption depends on the damage you took, but it is otherwise disconnected from the damage. The regenerated HP are, therefore, not "negative damage" that would be reflected as "reversed negative damage" (i.e. regular damage) onto the caster of Necrotic Touch. However, since the target didn't take any damage, the caster won't heal either.



        End result: the caster's hit points remain unaffected, while the target regains hit points equal to half the damage roll.





        Regardless of the above, both spells use the term "regain". Looking at the definition and using common sense, it's obvious that "regain" can't refer to stealing something from you (in the case of your example, hit points). Since D&D 5e makes heavy use of regular English language (instead of tons of game terms, even though there are some of those in 5e), it's clear that the spell is not meant to deal damage, even if the spell or absorption would be worded in a way that would render the first section of this answer useless.



        Definition of "regain":




        to take or get possession of something again







        share|improve this answer












        No, the caster won't take any damage.




        Damage Absorption. [...] whenever you are subjected to damage of that type, you take none of that damage and regain a number of hit points equal to half the damage dealt of that type.




        The number of hit points you regain from damage absorption depends on the damage you took, but it is otherwise disconnected from the damage. The regenerated HP are, therefore, not "negative damage" that would be reflected as "reversed negative damage" (i.e. regular damage) onto the caster of Necrotic Touch. However, since the target didn't take any damage, the caster won't heal either.



        End result: the caster's hit points remain unaffected, while the target regains hit points equal to half the damage roll.





        Regardless of the above, both spells use the term "regain". Looking at the definition and using common sense, it's obvious that "regain" can't refer to stealing something from you (in the case of your example, hit points). Since D&D 5e makes heavy use of regular English language (instead of tons of game terms, even though there are some of those in 5e), it's clear that the spell is not meant to deal damage, even if the spell or absorption would be worded in a way that would render the first section of this answer useless.



        Definition of "regain":




        to take or get possession of something again








        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered 3 hours ago









        PixelMaster

        8,5603193




        8,5603193

























            3














            Spells and features only do what they say they do, so both the caster and the creature will be healed for the damage "dealt"



            Following from this answer, wherein it was discussed that features only do what they have explicitly spelled out, we can see that since neither the absorption feature nor the vampiric touch spell mention a "backflow" affect, the caster would not be damaged by the usage of this spell on a creature with the absorption feature.



            Interestingly, since the damage "dealt" is not completely negated, both the caster and the creature with the feature will heal for half of the necrotic damage "dealt".



            If you wish to rule otherwise, you are, of course, welcome to.






            share|improve this answer





















            • you state "the damage "dealt" is not completely negated", but the quote in the question states "you take none of that damage". Why do you say "not completely negated", then?
              – PixelMaster
              8 mins ago
















            3














            Spells and features only do what they say they do, so both the caster and the creature will be healed for the damage "dealt"



            Following from this answer, wherein it was discussed that features only do what they have explicitly spelled out, we can see that since neither the absorption feature nor the vampiric touch spell mention a "backflow" affect, the caster would not be damaged by the usage of this spell on a creature with the absorption feature.



            Interestingly, since the damage "dealt" is not completely negated, both the caster and the creature with the feature will heal for half of the necrotic damage "dealt".



            If you wish to rule otherwise, you are, of course, welcome to.






            share|improve this answer





















            • you state "the damage "dealt" is not completely negated", but the quote in the question states "you take none of that damage". Why do you say "not completely negated", then?
              – PixelMaster
              8 mins ago














            3












            3








            3






            Spells and features only do what they say they do, so both the caster and the creature will be healed for the damage "dealt"



            Following from this answer, wherein it was discussed that features only do what they have explicitly spelled out, we can see that since neither the absorption feature nor the vampiric touch spell mention a "backflow" affect, the caster would not be damaged by the usage of this spell on a creature with the absorption feature.



            Interestingly, since the damage "dealt" is not completely negated, both the caster and the creature with the feature will heal for half of the necrotic damage "dealt".



            If you wish to rule otherwise, you are, of course, welcome to.






            share|improve this answer












            Spells and features only do what they say they do, so both the caster and the creature will be healed for the damage "dealt"



            Following from this answer, wherein it was discussed that features only do what they have explicitly spelled out, we can see that since neither the absorption feature nor the vampiric touch spell mention a "backflow" affect, the caster would not be damaged by the usage of this spell on a creature with the absorption feature.



            Interestingly, since the damage "dealt" is not completely negated, both the caster and the creature with the feature will heal for half of the necrotic damage "dealt".



            If you wish to rule otherwise, you are, of course, welcome to.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 3 hours ago









            L0neGamer

            717212




            717212












            • you state "the damage "dealt" is not completely negated", but the quote in the question states "you take none of that damage". Why do you say "not completely negated", then?
              – PixelMaster
              8 mins ago


















            • you state "the damage "dealt" is not completely negated", but the quote in the question states "you take none of that damage". Why do you say "not completely negated", then?
              – PixelMaster
              8 mins ago
















            you state "the damage "dealt" is not completely negated", but the quote in the question states "you take none of that damage". Why do you say "not completely negated", then?
            – PixelMaster
            8 mins ago




            you state "the damage "dealt" is not completely negated", but the quote in the question states "you take none of that damage". Why do you say "not completely negated", then?
            – PixelMaster
            8 mins ago


















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