Does Multiple Death Knell Stack?

[Stalker0]

THe caster level increase and strength bonus are all unnamed, while I know the temp hp doesn't stack, how about the rest?

 

[Norfleet]

Nawp. Effects in D&D never stack unless stated otherwise, or are "instantaneous". They just overlap, so you get the benefits of the best one active at any given time.

 

[Stalker0]

Nawp. Effects in D&D never stack unless stated otherwise, or are "instantaneous". They just overlap, so you get the benefits of the best one active at any given time.

Unnamed bonuses usually stack, which is what these bonuses are.

 

[Artoomis]

Unnamed bonuses usually stack, which is what these bonuses are.

True, but bonuses from the same spell so not stack, they "overlap."

 

[the_mighty_agrippa]

you are correct, sir.

 

[Li Shenron]

Unnamed bonuses usually stack, which is what these bonuses are.

Yes, but Artoomis is right that when the same spell is cast twice, only the best result applies*. This happens when the effect is tied to the spell's duration, so if instead the spell is instantaneous (what actually happens typically when the spell gives damage, ability damage, level drain or for example when it heals hp...) then it stacks, unless it gives a specified named bonus, such an inherent bonuses to ability when casting Wish.

*and durations overlap, and if you are targetted twice by the same spell you have 2 spells active on you which need 2 separate checks to be dispelled

 

[allenw]

So, what about the temporary hit points from Vampiric Touch? The damage dealt certainly "stacks" with damage previously caused by Vampiric Touch; do the temp hp received by the caster stack as well?

 

[Li Shenron]

So, what about the temporary hit points from Vampiric Touch? The damage dealt certainly "stacks" with damage previously caused by Vampiric Touch; do the temp hp received by the caster stack as well?

I can't find the reference in the SRD... But I think that temporary Hp don't stack (even if coming from different spells, like Vampirid Touch and Aid), so if you cast VT twice, and do damage 5 then 10, you get a total of 10 temporary Hp, even if the target got 15 damage.

However, temporary Hp are always lost first, so if between the two VT you are hit for damage 3 you can assume those 3 lost are from the temporary, and the second VT rises your current Hp by 8. Keep track of temporary Hp separately from the normal Hp and it will be easy.

 

[allenw]

I can't find the reference in the SRD... But I think that temporary Hp don't stack (even if coming from different spells, like Vampirid Touch and Aid), so if you cast VT twice, and do damage 5 then 10, you get a total of 10 temporary Hp, even if the target got 15 damage.

I think I disagree. I note that the MM descriptions of Ability Drain and Energy Drain talk about monsters getting 5 temporary hp for "each attack," and the context makes it seem that the temporary hp are stacking in those cases, so I'd have Vampiric Touch hp stack as well.

 

[Endur]

If anybody has a page number in the rules or the SRD, please point it out.

I'd love to say that Death Knell doesn't stack, but I can't find anything in the rules to prevent it from stacking since the bonuses are unnamed.