Lack of Weakness (LOW) is a property of Protection (PROT) that indicates whether it applies to critical or grievous hits as well. For example, if a monster has a protection of 6, and 3 points of Lack of Weakness, then they have a protection of 6 normally, and a protection of 3 when hit with a critical or grievous hit.
Lack of Weakness is a rare property that most monsters do not have. If hit with a critical or grievous hit, they gain no protection. However, some monsters, particularly undead and golems, have some Lack of Weakness. Some magic items, notably a Cloak of Protection, grants Lack of Weakness. Some armor also grants Lack of Weakness:
- Chain mail - 1 point LOW
- Plate mail - 2 points LOW
- Plate armor - 3 points LOW
Magic armor also provides LOW. Each "plus" of the armor grants 1 point of LOW. Thus, +1 Plate Armor would grant a total of 3 points of LOW, 2 for being plate armor and 1 more for the +1.
Note that Lack of Weakness is applied prior to gaining the additional benefits of a critical or grievous hit, notably the doubling of damage.
Lack of Weakness does not "stack". If the character is wearing two items that grant LOW, he gains the benefit of the better of the two, but not both.
Example: An orc hits Delana with a critical hit for 7 damage. Delana is wearing a +2 Cloak of Protection, which grants 2 points of Lack of Weakness. The 7 damage is reduced by the 2 points and then doubled. Delana takes 10 damage from the critical hit.
Lack of Weakness also affects the Find Weakness skill. Skill rolls are reduced by 5% per point of Lack of Weakness. |