OD&D Level drain recovery houserule

[Jmarso]

I'm not sure the current generation of younger players I run too could cope!

Therein lies the problem with the hobby, and a whole lot of other things besides.

 

[Mannahnin]

I've been running old school level drain. I make sure to signpost it (chill auras, deathly cold, etc.) and to put BIG treasures with such monsters, and I make them infrequent. And so far I think I've generally made fighting those undead optional side content, not compulsory to do the main stuff in a dungeon.

 

[Jmarso]

I've been running old school level drain. I make sure to signpost it (chill auras, deathly cold, etc.) and to put BIG treasures with such monsters, and I make them infrequent. And so far I think I've generally made fighting those undead optional side content, not compulsory to do the main stuff in a dungeon.

Good strategery. Our last 2E party (Ravenloft / gothic horror) quickly learned the clues about when level-draining undead were nearby, and frankly we left some good treasure and XP on the table to just avoid those encounters completely.

 

[GreyLord]

Flaming Missile weapons, daylights, positive energy, and Magic that you can cast from a distance are your friends.

Also a Good Cleric at your side that can turn them...or better yet...destroy them outright.

 

[John R Davis]

Or control them!