Energy Drain

[Mishihari Lord]

I loved the AD&D energy drain. It was terrifying. Nothing since has matched it. The original would be my preference for 5E.

Since that seems to be off the table, here's what I would like: each hit by an energy draining undead results in the condition "Drained." On the first hit it's "Drained 1", then "Drained 2", and so on. It has the following effects:

• Every roll is reduced by the number in the condition, attack, damage, saves, skill checks, etc
• While a character is "Drained X" they can't be healed in any manner.
• If a character dies while drained, he spawns as an undead after a suitable delay
• Removing "Drained X" requires either a high-level clerical spell or an expensive ritual

This seems suitably scary to me, without requiring much bookkeeping. If you want different types of drains for undead you could apply just some of the elements on the list. You’d then need to keep track of the type of drain by specifying “Wraith Drain X” rather than just “Drain X”.

Yes, it is a death spiral. It's supposed to be. I've never agreed with the various objections to death spirals. If the PCs are highly impaired, it's time to admit defeat and run. It would be really nice to have characters be able to lose a bit more often in D&D without a game-wrecking TPK.

 

[Mattachine]

I like the level suppression version. Not too hard to manage.

Another version I plan to try out works like this:

1. Each time the level draining creature hits you, it regains hp (or even temp hp) equal to the damage it inflicts.
2. The target hit gains a negative level.
3. While a target has at least one negative level, it gains no regular benefits of resting. Instead, a long rest removes one negative level. Remove affliction also removes all negative levels.
4. If your negative levels equal your actual level, you die.

This provides the scare factor undead used to provide, but also removes most of the bookkeeping. A negative level is a serious problem, but won't make a player want to crumple up a character sheet.