D&D 5E (2024) Hardcore Mode Thoughts?

[Maxperson]

Instead of life drain they inflict levels of exhaustion.

Variants of them instead drain the weave. Basically they absorb magic and eat the highest level spell slot.

Or do both at once. They drain slots unless the victim has no slots, then they find out that the reason magic works on everyone, is everyone is connected to the weave(which is also life) and it drains their endurance(exhaustion levels) through that connection.