energy drain and other necro spells

[vince33]

do you have to be evil to cast energy drain and other necros

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Nope. Necromancy is not inherently Evil. The school does, however, contain spells which are inherently Evil (like Animate Dead) - just like the schools of Abjuration (Protection vs. Good) and Conjuration (Summon Monster I (Fiendish Viper)).

 

[vince33]

thx i was just makeing sure

 

[Whimsical]

Just look for the [evil] descriptor in the spell description for all of your evil needs. Even then, only good-aligned divine spellcasters (clerics, druids) are unable to cast them.

 

[Particle_Man]

That said, it is associated with "negative energy", which is associated with the undead, and so using it could get you a reputation for evil and nastiness, even if you are good-aligned. But that is very campaign-dependent.

 

[Jack Simth]

That, and, you know - throwing around lots of negative levels has this slight habit of creating undead....

 

[frankthedm]

That, and, you know - throwing around lots of negative levels has this slight habit of creating undead....

ENERGY DRAIN AND NEGATIVE LEVELS

Some horrible creatures, especially undead monsters, possess a fearsome supernatural ability to drain levels from those they strike in combat. The creature making an energy drain attack draws a portion of its victim’s life force from her. Most energy drain attacks require a successful melee attack roll—mere physical contact is not enough. Each successful energy drain attack bestows one or more negative levels on the opponent. A creature takes the following penalties for each negative level it has gained.

–1 on all skill checks and ability checks.

–1 on attack rolls and saving throws.

–5 hit points.

–1 effective level (whenever the creature’s level is used in a die roll or calculation, reduce it by one for each negative level).

If the victim casts spells, she loses access to one spell as if she had cast her highest-level, currently available spell. (If she has more than one spell at her highest level, she chooses which she loses.) In addition, when she next prepares spells or regains spell slots, she gets one less spell slot at her highest spell level.

Negative levels remain for 24 hours or until removed with a spell, such as restoration. After 24 hours, the afflicted creature must attempt a Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 attacker’s HD + attacker’s Cha modifier). (The DC is provided in the attacker’s description.) If the saving throw succeeds, the negative level goes away with no harm to the creature. The afflicted creature makes a separate saving throw for each negative level it has gained. If the save fails, the negative level goes away, but the creature’s level is also reduced by one.

A character with negative levels at least equal to her current level, or drained below 1st level, is instantly slain. Depending on the creature that killed her, she may rise the next night as a monster of that kind. If not, she rises as a wight. A creature gains 5 temporary hit points for each negative level it bestows (though not if the negative level is caused by a spell or similar effect).

 

[Kae'Yoss]

That said, it is associated with "negative energy", which is associated with the undead, and so using it could get you a reputation for evil and nastiness, even if you are good-aligned. But that is very campaign-dependent.

The last sentence is the important one here. Out of the books, a Inflict Wounds spell is no different from hacking at creatures with a sword.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

The last sentence is the important one here. Out of the books, a Inflict Wounds spell is no different from hacking at creatures with a sword.

True, but I cannot help but be swayed by FranktheDM's citation. If any creature killed by energy drain becomes, at the very least, a wight, I can't help but see that as an evil act.

I suppose it could be narrowly defined to include the killing and only the killing of creatures using energy drain that is evil, while still allowing energy drain attacks that don't actually kill as neutral...but that's a fine line to tread...

 

[Victim]

Just burn the bodies. Big deal. That also helps prevent some forms of regeneration, and makes it more difficult for your foe's allies to raise him.