diff --git a/common/ruletypes.h b/common/ruletypes.h
index 6484a8586..f9c3b3c99 100644
--- a/common/ruletypes.h
+++ b/common/ruletypes.h
@@ -513,7 +513,8 @@ RULE_INT(NPC, MinorNPCCorpseDecayTimeMS, 450000) //level<55
 RULE_INT(NPC, MajorNPCCorpseDecayTimeMS, 1500000) //level>=55
 RULE_INT(NPC, CorpseUnlockTimer, 150000)
 RULE_INT(NPC, EmptyNPCCorpseDecayTimeMS, 0)
-RULE_BOOL (NPC, UseItemBonusesForNonPets, true)
+RULE_BOOL(NPC, UseItemBonusesForNonPets, true)
+RULE_BOOL(NPC, UseBaneDamage, false)
 RULE_INT(NPC, SayPauseTimeInSec, 5)
 RULE_INT(NPC, OOCRegen, 0)
 RULE_BOOL(NPC, BuffFriends, false)
diff --git a/zone/attack.cpp b/zone/attack.cpp
index 26121134e..817a8e359 100644
--- a/zone/attack.cpp
+++ b/zone/attack.cpp
@@ -2000,14 +2000,17 @@ bool NPC::Attack(Mob* other, int Hand, bool bRiposte, bool IsStrikethrough, bool
 		//if NPCs can't inheriently hit the target we don't add bane/magic dmg which isn't exactly the same as PCs
 		int eleBane = 0;
 		if (weapon) {
-			if (weapon->BaneDmgBody == other->GetBodyType()) {
-				eleBane += weapon->BaneDmgAmt;
-			}
-
-			if (weapon->BaneDmgRace == other->GetRace()) {
-				eleBane += weapon->BaneDmgRaceAmt;
+			if (RuleB(NPC, UseBaneDamage)) {
+				if (weapon->BaneDmgBody == other->GetBodyType()) {
+					eleBane += weapon->BaneDmgAmt;
+				}
+
+				if (weapon->BaneDmgRace == other->GetRace()) {
+					eleBane += weapon->BaneDmgRaceAmt;
+				}
 			}
 
+			// I don't think NPCs use this either ....
 			if (weapon->ElemDmgAmt) {
 				eleBane += (weapon->ElemDmgAmt * other->ResistSpell(weapon->ElemDmgType, 0, this) / 100);
 			}