However, with patches, it was allowed to benefit from Physical elemental skill damage bonuses, unless another type is specifically stated. Damage type of this hit is not elemental if used against players, it takes average of resistances to mitigate ( Armor also works against it). Thorns automatically cause damaging hit to any melee or ranged direct attacker. Melee and ranged attackers take X damage) are a secondary statistic in Diablo III that can appear on any non-weapon item (although Neanderthal and Nailbiter weapons can roll Thorns as well).