Improved Life Drain and Fell Drain (Libris Mortis)

[SadisticFishing]

Do these two work together? I find it clear by the way they work that Fell Drain isn't quite the same as bestowing negative levels. I know that Fell Drain is (su), but my player has an undead graft that lets him cause negative levels... By the exact wording, this should work, but I don't think it's in the spirit of the rules.

Can anyone help with this? We're playing tomorrow and I want to know if I should tell him his entire char idea doesn't work or not. Though it may not seem overpowered, I don't really care, it's more of a "how should this work?" then a "how can I make this not work?"

Edit: Btw, the char is Monk 2/Sorceror 6/Pale Master 5

More edit: The real reason behind my argument is that Fell Drain doesn't give you temporary hit points - if you're not draining life, where do your save bonuses come from?

Thanks!
-Me

 

[kreynolds]

Fell Drain, as a metamagic feat, is pretty clear about affecting only spells, so my knee-jerk is not to allow it to affect anything but spells. Am I reading the wrong Fell Drain?

 

[SadisticFishing]

You're reading the right Fell Drain, but did you read Improved Life Drain? It doesn't specify whether it works on spells or not.

 

[kreynolds]

Is that a feat? I don't see that in Libris Mortis. I see the Life Drain feat though. Just want to be sure I'm on the same "page" as you.

EDIT: Quoted wrong book.

 

[SadisticFishing]

Ah, I had that problem too - next page, Monstrous Feats. I may have the name wrong - requires cha 15 and a negative level Su ability

 

[kreynolds]

Yes, it's Life Drain. I do not believe they work together. Life Drain specifically refers to an "energy drain supernatural ability". Fell Drain is a metamagic effect, which in and off itself, does nothing, but does apply a modification to a spell. I really do not see a relationship between the two.

 

[SadisticFishing]

That's what I said, but my player is convinced that because in the text of imp Life Drain it doesn't say that the ability *has* to be Supernatural.

 

[kreynolds]

True, the only mention of supernatural ability is in the prerequisite section. However, the only example provided of the feat's use is with a supernatural ability, so...

 

[SadisticFishing]

So I'm stuck with knowing that it shouldn't work, and having no way to prove it? >_<

 

[kreynolds]

Are you the DM? If so, you aren't required to prove it. The fair thing to do would be to put forth a reasonable argument (and I like to think you have one now), and if necessary, just agree to disagree.