Sneak Attack & touch spells that deal ability damage?

[Magic Slim]

No... You would do d4 str and con damage and 5d6 hp damage. There are examples illustrating similiar situations in Tome and Blood.

Even if the rod of withering specifically states that it doesn't deal hp damage?

Slim

 

[Hypersmurf]

Even if the rod of withering specifically states that it doesn't deal hp damage?

Tome and Blood defines weaponlike spells as spells that have an attack roll and deal damage.

This is not restricted to hit point damage - it includes hit point damage, subdual damage, ability damage (not penalties), and negative levels.

Sneak Attack damage in the case of an attack that deals ability damage or negative levels is in the form of negative energy damage.

Monte Cook has stated that a sneak attack with a weapon that deals Vile damage (such as a Vile Lance) does not deal Vile sneak attack damage, just normal sneak attack damage.

The Rod of Withering doesn't deal hit point damage, but it does "deal damage", per the definition of weaponlike spells.

-Hyp.

 

[kreynolds]

Even if the rod of withering specifically states that it doesn't deal hp damage?

I think he meant to say negative energy damage instead of HP damage (or maybe not). In either case, you know the answer.

 

[Drasmir]

Ahhhhhh, that makes much more sense. Thanks for the clarification. I thought having that much ability damage was WAY out of line so I'm glad that's not the case (although I would have loved to have tried it once on my DM before he outlawed it )