Magical Sneak Attack Q

[IceBear]

You don't lose 5 hit points when you get a negative level. The creature who drains you gains 5 temporary hit points, but they don't come off your hit point total.

Really? Damn...I have to check my notes, I thought you lost 5hp for losing a level too

IceBear

 

[kreynolds]

You don't lose 5 hit points when you get a negative level. The creature who drains you gains 5 temporary hit points, but they don't come off your hit point total.

I know that pertains to the Energy Drain attack that some monsters have, but I thought the spell worked otherwise?

 

[Caliban]

I know that pertains to the Energy Drain attack that some monsters have, but I thought the spell worked otherwise?

Correct, the caster doesn't get any extra hit points when they use Enervation (or similar spells) to cause negative levels.

 

[kreynolds]

Correct, the caster doesn't get any extra hit points when they use Enervation (or similar spells) to cause negative levels.

LOL Then what are we talkin' about then?!

I see, I meant the spell but you meant the ability. Hehe. That got a chuckle outta me.

 

[Caliban]

LOL Then what are we talkin' about then?!

In your earlier post you said that the target loses 5 hit points for each negative level they acquire. They don't.

I see, I meant the spell but you meant the ability. Hehe. That got a chuckle outta me.

Spell or ability, the target doesn't lose hit points for being level drained. I knew you were talking about the spell, I was just pointing out that the 5 hit point thing is for the ability.

(Although as a side note undead creatures do gain 5 hit points for each negative level you try to give them, if you hit them with enervation.)

 

[kreynolds]

Spell or ability, the target doesn't lose hit points for being level drained.

Now I'm all twisted up. I thought the spell, Enervation and/or Energy Drain did cause the target to lose 5 hit points per level drained. The effects of the spell are explained under the Energy Drained condition, which lists all of the effects, except for the -5 hit point thing.

However, under the Special Abilities in the SRD and the description for Energy Drain, they once again describe the effects of being energy drained, but here they include the -5 hit point thing. Both the spells and the ability refer to the exact same thing, the condition, but one of them must be incorrect. Which is correct?

 

[Caliban]

Now I'm all twisted up. I thought the spell, Enervation and/or Energy Drain did cause the target to lose 5 hit points per level drained. The effects of the spell are explained under the Energy Drained condition, which lists all of the effects, except for the -5 hit point thing.

However, under the Special Abilities in the SRD and the description for Energy Drain, they once again describe the effects of being energy drained, but here they include the -5 hit point thing. Both the spells and the ability refer to the exact same thing, the condition, but one of them must be incorrect. Which is correct?

I believe the SRD is incorrect about losing 5 hit points for each negative level.

The DMG doesn't mention it. The MM may (I don't have it with me), but the MM errata changes the energy drain entry to match that in the DMG (i.e. no loss of hit points).

The SRD may be using the Energy Drain information from the pre-errata MM.

 

[IceBear]

Now I'm all twisted up. I thought the spell, Enervation and/or Energy Drain did cause the target to lose 5 hit points per level drained. The effects of the spell are explained under the Energy Drained condition, which lists all of the effects, except for the -5 hit point thing.

However, under the Special Abilities in the SRD and the description for Energy Drain, they once again describe the effects of being energy drained, but here they include the -5 hit point thing. Both the spells and the ability refer to the exact same thing, the condition, but one of them must be incorrect. Which is correct?

See, that's what I thought. I remember some post by Sean or someone back when the MM first came out and they said an Energy Drain gave you a negative level a -5hp.

I'm confused too now.

IceBear

 

[Uller]

See, that's what I thought. I remember some post by Sean or someone back when the MM first came out and they said an Energy Drain gave you a negative level a -5hp.

I'm confused too now.

IceBear

I remember that too and have been playing it that anytime you gain a negative level, you lose 5 hitpoints. It seems reasonable since it is supposed to roughly mimic a level loss...When the subject came up, the only reference I could find to the hitpoint loss was the SRD. The DMG, PHB, MM, FAQ and errata all fail to mention it. So likely it is the SRD which is in correct.

So assuming that Energy Drain(the spell) does not cause the loss of 5 hp, does sneak attack damage apply? I know that crits apply...it SA does apply, exactly what kind of damage is it?

 

[kreynolds]

When the subject came up, the only reference I could find to the hitpoint loss was the SRD. The DMG, PHB, MM, FAQ and errata all fail to mention it.

Uller, I think that's the big ol' useless argument you were thinking of. I was in that one. Made an ass outta myself, if I recall.