Alternatives to energy drain

[dema]

Hey I just started playing 3e again after about 8months, gee where did 3.5 come from, anyway/


I'm still annoyed by energy drain, any alternatives? I do like the new non permanent thing, and I do us the -1 to all rolls thing and lose highest level spell thing, but I don't like draining. I was thinking something like that already used negative levels thing, but something less permanent if you fail the DC in 24hours, wondering if anyone, or any companies have alternatives???


Peace, and thanks in advance for any replies, I know you guys always rock.

-de

 

[Spatula]

Just assume the Fort save to lose the negative level is automatically passed, so all negative levels are strictly temporary.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Several methods come to mind:
a) Allow a single Saving Throw to avoid the negative levels upon infliction. Maybe you still want them to roll 24 hours later to avoid a permanent loss, but at least it is not a completely automatic effect that severely cripples the target. It is up to you to decide if the save also decides if the opponent gains any benefits (usually hp) of the attack. You might want to do similar things with ability damage/drain.

b) The Saving Throws to avoid permanent level loss do not suffer the penalty of the negative levels.

 

[Marimmar]

I found the saving throw after 24 hours rules quite annoying. The PCs always load up with every little ST enhancer possible and since now always made their saves so that the dreaded energy drain ability is almost a laughing number right now.

My approch would be that the PC has to run around with a -1 mod to all D20 rolls, -5 HP (those gained by the drainer) and -1 spell of the highest level. Those penalties only go away when the PC is subject to a Restorration spell. It minimizes book keeping and energy drain would remain a powerful ability that doesn't screw the PCs too much since they keep their XP total.

~Marimmar

 

[Aaron2]

I found the saving throw after 24 hours rules quite annoying. The PCs always load up with every little ST enhancer possible and since now always made their saves so that the dreaded energy drain ability is almost a laughing number right now.

I've seen the same thing. I'm considering changing it so only one negative energy level goes away each day but with no chance of permanent level drain. For example, if a character takes 4 negative levels, one would fade after a day and he'd be at -3 for day 2, -2 for day 3 etc.

My approch would be that the PC has to run around with a -1 mod to all D20 rolls, -5 HP (those gained by the drainer) and -1 spell of the highest level.

I'm not sure the -5 HP loss carried over to 3.5. I haven't been able to find a reference to it in the SRD. Anyone?


Aaron

 

[MichaelH]

PH Glossary, page 310.

 

[pawsplay]

I've contemplated replacing all energy drain with ability drain, usually Con, and replacing negative levels from items with curses.

 

[Plane Sailing]

I use CON drain instead of level drain, and it works really well for me as a DM.

 

[CalrinAlshaw]

The thing I am thinking of doing. Is keeping all the rules except the saving throw or lose a level thing.

For example, the first 24 hours they make a save for each negative energy level. Whatever ones they fail stay on for another 24 hours in which they make ANOTHER save for each negative energy level left. They can remove them via the correct restoration spells still and everything, but none of it is permanent.

For the duration of the negative energy levels they have:

-1 to all d20 rolls. (Including the roll to save every 24 hours)
-5 from their max hp.
And they lose access to their highest slot available for each negative energy level. (If they have 3 NEL's, and have access to a 4th and 2 3rd slots, they can no longer access those until the NEL's are removed. Gaining back the 2 3rd's and the fourth in order as if they were levelling.)

Seems fair, and can be harmful to a party still.

Calrin Alshaw