Are you looking to add some deadly flair to your poison attack descriptions in combat? Look no further, because today we're diving into the world of poison damage (although if I had my way it would be called venom damage).
Although the poison is one of the weaker (if not the weakest) damage types in the game mechanically, it can add a lot of flair to combat if described evocatively. In this post, we'll go over 1d10 descriptions of poison damage to help you make your combat descriptions as engaging as possible. Whether you're aiming to create a sense of fear and danger or just add some extra zest to your battles, these descriptions will help you create a more immersive and unforgettable experience for your players. So, make sure to bookmark this page and let's explore how you can make poison damage a memorable part of your game in Damage Descriptions Part 4: Poison!
Since there are a lot of different ways to dish out poison damage, I have broken it out into two different tables, one for weapon effects and the other for spells.
Weapon Damage Table:
Roll | Description |
1 | Your weapon bites into the enemy's flesh, injecting a lethal dose of venom. They stumble backwards, gasping for air as the poison begins to take effect. |
2 | You strike the enemy with your weapon, and a sickly green fluid spurts out from the wound. They clutch at the site of the injury as the poison spreads through their body. |
3 | The enemy howls in pain as your weapon connects, releasing a cloud of poisonous particles. They begin to cough and wheeze as the toxic dust fills their lungs. |
4 | You slash the enemy with your weapon, leaving a trail of poison in your wake. Their armor starts to blacken as the toxic liquid begins to corrode the metal. |
5 | Your weapon strikes the enemy with a sickening thud, injecting a potent venom into their bloodstream. They reel backwards, their movements becoming sluggish and uncoordinated as the poison takes hold. |
6 | The enemy recoils as your weapon connects, leaving a trail of poison in its wake. Their flesh begins to atrophy as the poison eats away at their body. |
7 | Your weapon bites deep into the enemy's flesh, injecting a potent neurotoxin into their bloodstream. Their limbs start to twitch and spasm uncontrollably as the poison attacks their nervous system. |
8 | The enemy screams in agony as your weapon connects, leaving a trail of caustic poison in its wake. Their skin starts to blister with strange and ugly sores as the poison takes hold. |
9 | You strike the enemy with your weapon, and a thick, oily substance oozes out from the wound. They struggle to maintain their composure as the ooze coagulates in their veins. |
10 | Your weapon connects with the enemy, releasing a burst of venomous energy that spreads through their body like wildfire. They scream in pain as the poison ravages their organs and muscles. |
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Spell Damage Table:
Even if you only use Wizards of the Coast materials, there are A LOT of different spells in the game. I have tried to make things as generic as possible but if these just aren't working, consider asking your player to describe the effects of their spell on the target.
Roll | Description |
1 | As you unleash the spell, a sickly green haze emanates from your hand and engulfs the enemy. They immediately clutch at their throat, gasping for air as the poison courses through their body. |
2 | Your spell hits the enemy with a flash of poisonous energy, and their skin turns a sickly shade of green. They stagger backwards, clearly weakened by the venomous attack. |
3 | You cast your spell and a haze of toxicity bubbles like biting insects emerges from your hand and descends upon the enemy. They flail about wildly, unable to escape the poisonous bites. |
4 | A thick cloud of noxious gas erupts from your spell, enveloping the enemy in poisonous fumes. They cough and sputter as the poison takes hold. |
5 | The enemy reels as your spell strikes them, and their vision blurs as the poison takes effect. They struggle to maintain their balance, unable to focus on their surroundings. |
6 | Your spell hits the enemy with a burst of venomous energy, and their muscles begin to spasm uncontrollably. They stagger back in pain. |
7 | The enemy's skin starts to grow grey and as your spell hits them with an almost caustic poison. They scream in agony, clutching at their face as the poison eats away at their blood. |
8 | You unleash a blast of poisonous particulates that coat the enemy's armor and weapons. They begin to cough and wheeze as the toxic particles fill their lungs. |
9 | The enemy recoils in horror as your spell hits them with a burst of poisonous energy. Their skin turns black as the poison eats away at their flesh. |
10 | A wave of venomous energy washes over the enemy as your spell connects, leaving them writhing in agony. Their blood turns to poison as the spell takes hold, making every wound that much more deadly. |
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