wisdom damage, mummy rot against undead

[evilbob]

Undead are immune to ability drain and damage to physical ability scores. But they are apparently not immune to damage to their mental scores.

First question: what are some good ways to damage an undead's wisdom score? Spells, abilities, other summonable monsters - any ideas are appreciated.

Second question: would mummy rot affect an undead creature? It is not a disease, as per the description: it's a curse. And although it does Con damage - which would likely be useless - it also does Cha damage, which would likely be awesome. And it's a fort save, which undead are not good at. So would it affect them? (Basically, I'm trying to determine if summon undead V is useful against enemy undead.)

 

[Infiniti2000]

First question: what are some good ways to damage an undead's wisdom score? Spells, abilities, other summonable monsters - any ideas are appreciated.

I can't think of any off hand. You must be able to find an effect that is not mind-affecting and not poison.

Second question: would mummy rot affect an undead creature? It is not a disease, as per the description: it's a curse. And although it does Con damage - which would likely be useless - it also does Cha damage, which would likely be awesome. And it's a fort save, which undead are not good at. So would it affect them? (Basically, I'm trying to determine if summon undead V is useful against enemy undead.)

No, it wouldn't, because it requires a Fort save. Remember: "Immunity to any effect that requires a Fortitude save (unless the effect also works on objects or is harmless)." Mummy rot doesn't work on objects and is most certainly not harmless.

 

[evilbob]

No, it wouldn't, because it requires a Fort save.

Ah, good catch - thanks!

 

[evilbob]

The only answer I've come up with so far to my first question is bestow curse. It is a completely untyped ability score reduction of your choosing, so you could give an undead a -6 to their wisdom score. Gotta touch 'em first, though.

Also, I'm sure there's some sort of cheese in the Book of Exalted Deeds...

 

[Klaus]

The only answer I've come up with so far to my first question is bestow curse. It is a completely untyped ability score reduction of your choosing, so you could give an undead a -6 to their wisdom score. Gotta touch 'em first, though.

Also, I'm sure there's some sort of cheese in the Book of Exalted Deeds...

There's positoxin, a "poison" of sorts that affects Undead, in Libris Mortis.

Allip deal Wisdom drain. Sic them on the other undead.

Bestow Curse seems fitting as well.

Some psionic powers deal mental damage. Ego Whip targets Charisma, IIRC.

 

[castro3nw]

There's a maneuver in Bo9S that deals wisdom damage. It deals d4/will negates. Not necessarily the best option, since most undead have a good will save... But its an option.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Allip deal Wisdom drain. Sic them on the other undead.

Undead are immune to draining. However, allips can also damage wisdom, but then you need to somehow get the opposing undead to try to mentally control the allip.

 

[evilbob]

True - and allips are also somewhat more hazardous to your own team rather than undead, since other undead are immune to their babble and your team probably isn't.

Good suggestions, though, thanks! I appreciate it - and I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one drawing a blank on this.