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I am under the impression that Reverse Gravity bypasses resistance to bludgeoning damage as the only ones I am aware of specify that it is bludgeoning damage from weapons.

Are there any resistances possessed by monsters or granted by classes or feats, that could apply to the Reverse Gravity spell damage? If so, what are they?

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Since Reverse Gravity causes "falling damage", would your question better be reflected by addressing that in general instead of just this spell? \$\endgroup\$ – Netzach Sephira Apr 13 '18 at 17:55
  • \$\begingroup\$ Not necessarily. Are there any abilities that grant a creature resistance to spell damage? That is a valuable distinction I believe. \$\endgroup\$ – Joshu's Mu Apr 13 '18 at 17:59
  • \$\begingroup\$ Where does it say that Reverse Gravity bypasses resistance to Bludgeoning damage? \$\endgroup\$ – NautArch Apr 13 '18 at 18:01
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    \$\begingroup\$ I don't think that the damage caused by Reverse Gravity counts as spell damage. The spell only states that "If some solid object is encountered in this fall, falling objects and creatures strike it just as they would during a normal downward fall", leading me to believe that this damage just counts as "falling damage" \$\endgroup\$ – Netzach Sephira Apr 13 '18 at 18:01
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    \$\begingroup\$ Would it be better to separate this question into two questions: Is there any way to resist damage from falling? and: Does falling damage from Reverse Gravity count as spell damage? \$\endgroup\$ – Joshu's Mu Apr 13 '18 at 19:15
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Resistance to Bludgeoning is all that's required

Resistance is active if a:

...creature or an object has resistance to a damage type,[then] damage of that type is halved against it.

In the case of Reverse Gravity, the damage is described as (with my emphasis):

If some solid object (such as a ceiling) is encountered in this fall, falling objects and creatures strike it just as they would during a normal downward fall.

Falling Damage is non-magical and therefore any and all sources of resistance to Bludgeoning damage are covered with this.

Some creatures may have a more specific resistance like "non-magical bludgeoning", but the umbrella "Bludgeoning" covers all sources.

Some Sources of Bludgeoning Resistance

  • Barbarian Rage
  • Natural resistance by a Monster
    • Non-module specific monsters include Awakened Trees, Swarm of Bats, Swarm of Insects, Swarm of poisonous snakes, Swarm of Kippers, Swarm of Rats, Swarm of Ravens, Treant, Wood woad.
  • Stoneskin spell (non-magical only)

Jeremy Crawford supports this logic:

Rage gives you resistance to bludgeoning damage. If you take bludgeoning damage from a fall, you resist it

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    \$\begingroup\$ Immunity to bludgeoning damage doesn't render a creature immune to damage from falls. Similarly, why would resistance to bludgeoning damage reduce the damage from falls? \$\endgroup\$ – Hey I Can Chan Apr 13 '18 at 18:45
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    \$\begingroup\$ @HeyICanChan that ruling talks about a creature with immunity to bludge. damage from weapons. Since the floor isn't a weapon that is why they still take damage. I don't see any way that negates the answer here. \$\endgroup\$ – Rubiksmoose♦ Apr 13 '18 at 18:49
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    \$\begingroup\$ In fact, this ruling directly confirms this answer: "Rage gives you resistance to bludgeoning damage. If you take bludgeoning damage from a fall, you resist it." \$\endgroup\$ – Rubiksmoose♦ Apr 13 '18 at 18:51
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Rubiksmoose So it is! I'm on board! Then if the land spot's in lava, covered in punji sticks, or surrounded by scything blades, all bets are off? (I mean, it seems overly broad to rule that falling damage is always bludgeoning damage, when it's landing damage that should matter!) \$\endgroup\$ – Hey I Can Chan Apr 13 '18 at 18:57
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    \$\begingroup\$ This answer should make the point that resistance or immunity to bludgeoning weapon damage does not help with falling. That's non-obvious, because where do you draw the line between getting hit with a huge club vs. falling into an object with much larger mass than yourself. But apparently in D&D it's the intent that matters- if it's wielded as a weapon by anything, your resistance works. Are there creatures that are resistant/immune to falling damage? \$\endgroup\$ – Peter Cordes Dec 2 '18 at 6:09

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