Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Edena_of_Neith" data-source="post: 3840371" data-attributes="member: 2020">We know that in previous editions, if a wraith struck you, you automatically lost 1 level with no save allowed (whether MR or SR helped was always a matter of debate.)  In 3E, it got more complicated, but it was still scary.  I'd make it a wee bit scarier.  <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />  In 4E, if that wraith hits you or the succubus drains you (no save, no SR, but Amulets of Life Protection and the like would work, along with specialized forms of SR), then you lose the level AND the wraith gains the level.  The wraith gains an extra HD, any hit points you lost from the level drain, any BAB bonus, any spells or spell knowledge (meaning it becomes a 1st level spellcaster or gains a level in spellcasting), any feats or skills lost, and any and all special somethings you gained in a non-standard way during that level (you gained dragonsbreath during the time you last leveled?  Well, you no longer have it ... but the wraith now does.)  Undead who drain 2 levels per hit, would gain 2 HD and 2 sets of hit points, and 2 levels of spellcaster or fighter, and two levels of abilities, and so on.  In addition, any undead worth it's negative energy should strike with BOTH hands, and EACH hand should have the level draining capability (thus, two hits from a spectre means 4 levels lost, and the spectre gains 4 levels.)  Since undead can be classed, and could have - say - 5 attacks in a round (not counting what Haste will do for them, and a wizardly wraith would definitely Haste itself) they could drain your 10th level PC to -1 levels in a single round.  Your PC dies instantly, and a round later, reanimates as the type of undead that killed him or her, under it's control (invariably to attack the party, of course.)  And undead, have NO limit on the number of undead they can control.  Why, were it not for metaphorical limitations (such as a wraith being tied to a particularly area to haunt) undead might destroy the world.  In other words, when an undead is coming, you should be afraid.  Very afraid.  Even with the nice cleric to help you, you should be afraid.  Perhaps so afraid you even pray to that cleric's deity, before the fight, that his or her power is sufficient to save you.  I am totally serious about this.  (So what happens if you don't have a cleric?  Better hope the wizard is competent.  If he or she is not, better hope those distance weapons work better than you thought.  Because running is a real lousy option ... the undead can run faster than you, the undead never tire or sleep, and an undead bent on killing ... does not stop until the deed is done.  Besides, if you run and leave the town defenseless, the undead kills defenseless people, gains levels, and then if you had a problem before, now it's an epic situation.)  EDIT:  Of course, sunlight tends to make most level draining undead powerless, and they will not come out in the sunlight.  So, while the sun is up, there is nothing to worry about.  But, as they say, all good things come to an end, and when twilight descends nastiness begins.  Yours Truly  Edena_of_Neith</blockquote>

Verification