There is no difference in criticals, types of armor (unless magical), and so on. Other than that, damage types don't really DO anything. There are some flavorful choices - storm giants being immune to thunder and lighting, for example - but also weird distinctions, like skeletons being especially susceptible to maces but not thunderwave, "spiritual maces" or grenades. Some creatures are resistant to thunder damage, but most of these are ALSO resistant to bludgeoning for non-magical weapons. there are not many monsters that are susceptible or resistant to bludgeoning or force. "Sonic" damage might be a better choice.Īs for monsters.
In addition, people might find the thunder/lighting separation confusing (here is one example). Maybe the distinction would make sense in real life, but in 5e thunder damage doesn't hurt your eardrums, and even a grenade does not cause thunder damage. It deals "concussive" damage - like a mace, but more diffuse I'd guess - but this damage is caused by a burst of sound. Likewise, the impact of a "spiritual mace" would be the similar to a regular mace (even if stronger).Īnd "thunder" damage is specially weird. I assume most people picture the impact of a magic missile to be akin to an invisible rock. These three are so similar in my mind that they could all be described as "bludgeoning".