Combat/UnavoidableAttacks

The following is a compiled list of those effects which are unblockable or undodgable, and so may well invalidate some or all of a character’s defences. The list is up to date through to and including the publication of ‘Aspect Book:Air’ in August 2003. While every effort has been made to ensure it is complete, it is entirely possible that some effects have been missed. If you should find this to be the case please post on the official Exalted forum at www.white-wolf.com (or leave a note on my main Wiki page) so that the error can be rectified.

The effects are categorised by the kind of defence they invalidate, listing both the type of power and the book in which it can be found afterwards. Charms are indicated by the name of the type of being that wields them, sorceries and necromancies by their circle and type (#C and #N respectively) and the unique powers of individual beings by the name of their possessors. The list only includes those charms and powers listed in White-Wolf’s materials (no fan-made Charms), only those effects which use a standard resisted attack/defence model (so effects along the lines of Cantana of Empty Voices (Bo3C) or the Godspear of the Five Metal Shrike (CotW) are not included) and only those effects which explicitly state that they are unblockable or undodgable (or cannot be blocked, cannot be dodged).

Unblockable Effects

• Flight of the Brilliant Raptor (1C,Bo3C)
• Sting of the Ice Hornet. (Also imposes a difficulty to dodge, 1C, Bo3C)
• Geyser of Corrosion (Allowed with Charms, 2C, Bo3C)
• Fiery Venom (Power of Swan Dragon, GoD)
• Pillow Creature Explosion (Power of Swan Dragon, GoD)
• Venom Breath (Power of the Frog Queen, GoD)
• Lightning Streak (Power of Storm Serpent)
• Burning Saliva Attack (Lunar, Lunar)
• Cobra Eye Method (Lunar, Lunar)
• Soporific Venom Attack (Lunar, Lunar)
• Fakharu’s Venom (Power of Fakharu, Core)
• Crashing Wave Throw (Solar, Core)
• Shockwave Technique (Solar,Core)
• Lamenting Ghost Technique (Abyssal, Abyssal)
• Ivory Razor Forest (2N, Abyssal)
• Essence Thorn Practice (Sidereal, Sidereal)
• Many Missiles Bow Technique (only applies on 'Boulder' arrows at present, Sidereal, Sidereal)
• Unobstructed Blow (also ignores armour, Sidereal, Sidereal)

Undodgeable Effects

• Natural Selection Glance (Power of Jorst, GoD)
• Cascade of Cutting Terror (Solar, Core)
• Enshroud (Attack by Grelidaka, CotW)

Unblockable and Undodgeable Effects

• Thunder Wolf’s Howl (1C, Bo3C)
• Titan’s Icy Breath (1C, Bo3C)
• Unstoppable Fountain of the Depths (1C, Bo3C)
• Lightning Stroke Attack (Perfect defences allowed, Lunar, Lunar)
• Blazing Solar Bolt (Allowed with Charms, Solar, Core)
• Blow Concealing Gesture Technique (Allows some Charms, Solar, CB:Night)
• Sun’s Flaming Tongue Attack (Allowed with Charms, Solar, CB:Zenith)
• Dragon Vortex Attack (Terrestrial, Dragon Blooded)
• Owl Seizes Mouse (Abyssal, Abyssal)
• Thousand Needle Torrent (Allowed with Charms, Abyssal, Abyssal)
• Unrelenting Torment Technique (also unsoakable, Sidereal, Sidereal)
• Shield of Mars (also unsoakable, Sidereal, Sidereal)
• Storm's Eye Stance (also unsoakable, Sidereal, Sidereal)
• Unweaving Method (also unsoakable, Sidereal, Sidereal)
• Cannibalistic Heritage Technique (Sidereal Martial Arts, Sidereal)
• Essence-Shattering Typhoon (Sidereal Martial Arts, Sidereal)

There are 15 Unblockable effects, 3 undodgeable effects and 10 which may be neither blocked nor dodged. This equates to twice as many attacks that cannot be blocked than cannot be dodged.

There is a three-way tie for possession of the most unavoidable attacks, between Sorceries (6/28), Solar Charms (6/28) and unique powers of individual spirits (6/28). They are followed by Lunar Charms (4/28) and Abyssal Charms (3/28). Finally another tie between Terrestrial Charms (1/28), Necromancies (1/28) and an attack by a mundane creature (1/28).

Comments

Hope you don't mind my intrusion, but I've taken the liberty of adding in the charms from the Sidereal book that I believe fit your criteria - though I haven't touched your commentary. 'tis just such an interesting list that my geekiness demanded that I update it ;) - Translucidity

Sorry, editor's hat was on - just a minor spelling fix. This list is awesome; perhaps we should create a list of PerfectDefenses to go along with it? - Guybrush

Maybe something about unsoakable effects as well? - Hapushet