Vorpal Sword = death effect?

[Vexed]

I had a character that had death ward casted on himself, and was hit by a vorpal sword. I looked up vorpal sword and under the spells to make the weapon are (keen edge, death spell). Im not sure about "death spell" any spell with the death descriptor? Finger of death? In any event I ruled getting hit with a vorpal sword is a "death effect" and thus his death ward spell protected him. Thoughts?

 

[AuraSeer]

The vorpal sword is not a death effect, it's a removing-your-head effect. Most creatures cannot survive without a head, but that's an indirect effect, and has nothing to do with the sword at all.

 

[Hypersmurf]

One thing you need to decide is "Can someone slain by a Vorpal Sword be brought back with Raise Dead?" (Assuming you've reattached their head, of course.)

If the answer is yes, it's not a Death Effect. If a Resurrection is required, however, it's a Death Effect and Death Ward will prevent it.

The description of the effect ("the sword chops off your head") doesn't fit my mental image of a Death Effect... it's just an ffect that kills you. But the use of Death Spell in its creation leaves room for doubt in my mind.

If you really want to start a debate, ask if Death Ward protects against Phantasmal Killer...

-Hyp.

 

[Vexed]

True,

Initially I rulled a vorpal weapon is not a death effect until I saw the spell that is used to create it.

 

[frankthedm]

True,

Initially I rulled a vorpal weapon is not a death effect until I saw the spell that is used to create it.

really that was a bad call to use death spell since it is a far stretch to commect the two. wish or miracle are better choic=e for the power needed.

 

[AEtherfyre]

Just as an idle question, can anyone point Death Spell out to me? I'd like to see what it does.

 

[Kraedin]

It doesn't exist. The spell that was called that in 2nd edition is now circle of death or somesuch.

 

[Datt]

So how do you make a Vorpal sword if there is no Death Spell? You would think they would have fixed this in the FAQ or Errata.

 

[kreynolds]

So how do you make a Vorpal sword if there is no Death Spell?

You can't. Until the errata comes out, there is absolutely nothing we can do. We're totally helpless.

 

[Quinn]

So how do you make a Vorpal sword if there is no Death Spell? You would think they would have fixed this in the FAQ or Errata.

I think you could substitute another spell such as Power Word: Kill, Circle of Death, or something similar.

A spell used in the creation of an item doesn't necessarily reflect the abilities of the item 100%. The spell requirements for creating an item are more for flavor as opposed to being an actual game mechanic. Look at Wounding weapons, for instance. One of the spell requirements is Mordenkainen's Sword, however the description of that spell doesn't match the Wounding effect. Ditto Distance weapons and their spell req: Clairaudience/Clairvoyance. There are several cases like this.