Lanefan
Victoria Rules
One might say that if fixing it costs money then it's had a useful effect (depending how rich your parties are).Level drain and ability drain are just a really REALLY obnoxious mechanic filled with fiddly bits. And most often they're just rendered moot by having the right spell. Like the Clay Golem's max HP drain. You either have Greater Restoration or you go back into town and spend money on it... it's not really challenging, just punishing the tank for taking hits, thus doing its job...
Ability drain in 3e and forward is fiddly in that there's so many skills etc. tied to abilities. A strange design decision, in that in 0-1-2e where ability drain isn't very fiddly at all to deal with it was almost never seen, while in 3e - where it's very fiddly - ability drain is all over the place. But, 3e also added Lesser Restoration which previously was a 7th level spell and very expensive.
With Rust Monsters, I see your point.The problem with stuff like level drain, and incorporeal being too strong and rust monsters and needing buff spells to evade save or die effect... it really just punished the mundanes.
With level drainers, it all depends who the DM decides to target - particularly with incorporeal ones who can, if they want, move right through the front line to get at the tasty morsels in the back should they so desire.
For those types of encounters, yes. Even just a competent Cleric who can turn is a big help.It's AGAIN more stuff that makes Magic the be-all end-all of DnD Problem Solving. Most of the 'challenges' end up being simply a way to say 'you must be THIS magical to win'. You either ABSOLUTELY need a full caster or deck out characters in golf-bags worth of magical loot.
But, a party that has no casters isn't likely to seek out situations where casters would be essential, hm? Or, if they find they really do need one, they'll go and recruit one.
5e is. 0-1-2e have a slightly lower caster ratio. (counting Rangers and Paladins as non-casters as such casting as they do get doesn't arrive until pretty late on)It honestly irks me. The game is already 80% casters...
More important is that the non-casters be able to get their mitts on a magic weapon or two during the early part of their careers; and I have no problem with that.