Skip to main content

Holy Water

Holy Water

Category: Consumables & Thrown Items
Weight: 1 lb.
Cost: 25 GP
Special Properties: Attack: 2d8 Radiant vs. Fiends/Undead

Description​

Holy water is ordinary water that has been blessed by a cleric or paladin through sacred rituals. This consecrated liquid is imbued with divine energy that makes it particularly effective against fiends and undead creatures. It is typically stored in small glass vials or flasks.

Mechanical Effects​

Combat Application:

  • Can be thrown as an improvised weapon (range 20/60 feet)
  • Deals 2d8 radiant damage to fiends and undead on hit
  • No damage to other creature types
  • Single-use consumable item
  • Requires an attack roll to hit target

Splash Effect:

  • Affects only the target creature hit
  • Does not create area of effect damage
  • Multiple vials can target the same creature
  • No friendly fire concerns for non-fiends/undead

Tactical Applications​

Anti-Undead Warfare:

  • Highly effective against zombies, skeletons, and ghosts
  • Excellent backup weapon for non-divine casters
  • Reliable damage source that bypasses many resistances
  • Can be used by any party member regardless of class

Fiend Combat:

  • Effective against demons, devils, and other fiends
  • Provides radiant damage which many fiends are vulnerable to
  • Useful when magical weapons are unavailable
  • Can surprise fiends who expect only physical attacks

Strategic Considerations​

Resource Management:

  • Expensive at 25 GP per vial
  • Single-use nature requires careful planning
  • Consider stockpiling for undead-heavy campaigns
  • Balance cost against potential damage output

Party Coordination:

  • Distribute among party members for maximum utility
  • Coordinate use to maximize damage potential
  • Consider who has best attack bonuses for throwing
  • Plan for situations where divine magic is unavailable

Alternative Uses​

Ritual and Ceremonial:

  • Required component for certain religious ceremonies
  • Used in blessing rituals and consecrations
  • Essential for some divine magic preparations
  • Symbol of faith and divine protection

Protective Applications:

  • May provide protection against undead detection
  • Could be used to consecrate areas or objects
  • Might offer comfort to those afraid of undead
  • Potential component in protective circles or wards

Acquisition Methods​

Religious Sources:

  • Temples and shrines of good-aligned deities
  • Clerics and paladins can create holy water
  • Religious festivals may offer blessed water
  • Pilgrimage sites often have holy water available

Creation Process:

  • Requires a cleric or paladin to perform the blessing
  • Takes 1 hour of ritual prayer and ceremony
  • Costs 25 GP in silver dust and other materials
  • Must be performed at a consecrated location

Storage and Preservation​

Proper Handling:

  • Store in blessed or consecrated containers
  • Protect from contamination by unholy influences
  • Keep in cool, dark places to maintain potency
  • Handle with reverence appropriate to sacred nature

Shelf Life:

  • Retains potency indefinitely if properly stored
  • May lose blessing if exposed to desecration
  • Contamination with unholy substances negates effects
  • Regular blessing renewal may be wise for long-term storage

Cultural and Religious Significance​

Faith Traditions:

  • Different religions may have varying blessing rituals
  • Some faiths produce more potent holy water
  • Certain deities' holy water may have additional properties
  • Religious conflicts may affect availability and acceptance

Social Implications:

  • Carrying holy water may identify religious affiliation
  • Some cultures view holy water with suspicion
  • May be required for certain social or religious functions
  • Could be restricted or banned in areas hostile to organized religion

Combat Techniques​

Throwing Strategies:

  • Aim for center mass to ensure hits
  • Consider range penalties for distant targets
  • Use action economy efficiently in combat
  • Coordinate with other party members' attacks

Tactical Timing:

  • Most effective against wounded undead/fiends
  • Use when other damage sources are ineffective
  • Consider as finishing attacks against low-health enemies
  • Save for encounters where radiant damage is crucial

Economic Considerations​

Cost-Benefit Analysis:

  • High damage potential justifies cost against appropriate targets
  • Consider opportunity cost versus other consumables
  • May be worth investment for undead-heavy campaigns
  • Factor in availability and local pricing variations

Bulk Purchasing:

  • Some temples offer discounts for large orders
  • Consider group purchases to reduce individual cost
  • Stock up before entering undead-infested areas
  • Balance carrying capacity against quantity desired

Limitations and Drawbacks​

Target Restrictions:

  • Only effective against fiends and undead
  • Completely useless against other creature types
  • May be wasted if target type is misidentified
  • No effect on constructs, even undead-themed ones

Practical Limitations:

  • Requires successful attack roll to be effective
  • Single-use nature limits tactical flexibility
  • Fragile containers may break if mishandled
  • Weight and bulk considerations for carrying multiple vials

Variants and Alternatives​

Enhanced Holy Water:

  • Some faiths produce more potent versions
  • Blessed by higher-ranking clerics for increased effect
  • May include additional materials for enhanced properties
  • Could have special effects against specific creature types

Regional Variations:

  • Desert faiths may use blessed sand instead of water
  • Arctic regions might use blessed ice
  • Coastal areas could use blessed seawater
  • Different blessing rituals may produce varying effects