Positive energy damage

[Devon]

I'm trying to figure out how to rule explosions of positive energy in my campaign.

I have a golem that, if destroyed, will explode in a burst of positive energy, an ability called Retributive Strike.

Should this energy be simple damage that affects some creatures more than others, as their vulnerabilities and immunities dictate? Or should it be viewed as pure healing energy, doing damage to undead and healing the living?

- Devon

 

[Xarlen]

Well, I believe going onto the Positive Plane has some bad effects (Anyone with the MotP out there help me out here?).

As to if it should heal, um... Would the creaters just send it up against undead? Because that seems sort've unlogical, having the thing *heal* stuff on destruction.

"Well, the Golem was effective against the enemy, but, what wounds it *did* deliver were healed up when it blew up."

 

[kreynolds]

Positive energy heals living creatures and damages undead creatures in its raw form. That's my understanding anyway. There isn't really a whole lot you can do. I'm sure if you browse through the spells you might find a few exceptions. Question is, do you want the explosion to heal living creatures and harm dead creatures? If so, just do it. No rule violation there.

 

[MythandLore]

I'm trying to figure out how to rule explosions of positive energy in my campaign.

I have a golem that, if destroyed, will explode in a burst of positive energy, an ability called Retributive Strike.

Should this energy be simple damage that affects some creatures more than others, as their vulnerabilities and immunities dictate? Or should it be viewed as pure healing energy, doing damage to undead and healing the living?

A good place to start for what you want to do is in the PHB, they already have spells that do this.
Read page 213 'Healing Circle' and page 184 'Circle of Doom'.
I'm pretty sure this will give you a good idea of how positive/negitive energy would work in a situation like this.

Positive energy heals living creatures and damages undead creatures in its raw form. That's my understanding anyway.

You are right.

 

[Devon]

The golem for which I'm researching this is a temple guardian, usually created by good clerics, optimized for fighting undead. The basis of its power is a small mote of positive energy at its core, which it then filters using specially enchanted lenses to create effects like Searing Ray, Blind, Color Spray, and others.

- Devon

 

[kreynolds]

Sounds like a really slick idea, Devon. Let me know how it works out. I'd love to see that sucker when he's finished. (rubs hands together evily and cackles madly). WHAHAHAHA!!!

 

[Xarlen]

Well, then, friend, that's very workable!

Thought you were creating it to attack PCs, and then heal them at the end of the fight. But it's a cool idea.

 

[Warchild]

On the Positive energy plane, positive energy can grant the target extra temporary hit points, but the problem is, if you go over your max hit points, you must save (fort 20) each round you get the bonus or explode!! dead!!!
The worst parts of the positive plane can do 3D10 positive energy in a round. You could have the golem do this much(or how is appropriate for the CR of the Golem). It will heal anyone in the radius, but if they go over there natural max hit points, they save or explode!!