"Holy" ability [Archive] - Wizards Community

"Holy" ability [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Timmy
08-04-04, 12:28 AM My character recently found a magical short sword...it has the following abilities on it:
+3 Holy, Thundering, Wounding

This question pertains to the Holy ability, especially with my character being of CN alignment. "Holy" states in the DMG 3.5 as
follows...'a holy weapon is imbued with holy power. This power makes the weapon good-aligned and thus bypasses the corresponding damage
reduction. It deals an extra 2D6 pts of damage against all of evil alignment. It bestows one negative level on any evil creature attempting
to wield it. The negative level remains as long as the weapon is in hand and disappears when the weapon is no longer wielded. This negative level
never results in actual level loss, but it cannot be overcome in any way(including restoration spells) while the weapon is wielded. Bows,
crossbows, and slings so crafted bestow the holy power upon their ammunition.'
Also, under "intelligent items" (even though this is not one) it says...'that a weapon's alignment must fit with any alignment-orientented special abilities it has (such as the holy item ability)'
So, with my character being of CN alignment, can i first, even wield the weapon with it being good-aligned and if i did, do i suffer the negative level? If i can wield it, can i still use the holy power of the weapon and bypass the damage reduction and dealing the extra 2D6 to evil creatures i strike with it? Does that part of the ability only work if the wielder is of good alignment? If i use the sword, can i use the
other abilities, just not the holy aspect?

I hope people can answer my questions...thanks.
Ancient Wyrm
08-04-04, 12:32 AM If you're not evil, you don't take the negative level. And nowhere in the description does it give any condition the wielder has to meet for the bonus damage to be used; theoretically, an archfiend could use it.

Hope that helps.
Levism84
08-09-04, 12:12 AM How wonderfully wonderful it is that a neutral character could wield a +5 axiomatic holy/+5 anarchic unholy two-bladed sword.

(Makes me giggle.)

~Rain~
Someone
08-09-04, 12:30 AM An evil character could use a holy weapon, provided they can function with the negative level. And when you absolutly, positivly have to take down your opponent, an evil character would risk it.
Tyler Do'Urden
08-09-04, 01:39 AM Originally posted by Levism84
How wonderfully wonderful it is that a neutral character could wield a +5 axiomatic holy/+5 anarchic unholy two-bladed sword.

(Makes me giggle.)

~Rain~

Hell, you could build a whole character around that. A priest of neutrality. Believes in leveling the playing field.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Timmy 08-04-04, 12:28 AM	My character recently found a magical short sword...it has the following abilities on it: +3 Holy, Thundering, Wounding This question pertains to the Holy ability, especially with my character being of CN alignment. "Holy" states in the DMG 3.5 as follows...'a holy weapon is imbued with holy power. This power makes the weapon good-aligned and thus bypasses the corresponding damage reduction. It deals an extra 2D6 pts of damage against all of evil alignment. It bestows one negative level on any evil creature attempting to wield it. The negative level remains as long as the weapon is in hand and disappears when the weapon is no longer wielded. This negative level never results in actual level loss, but it cannot be overcome in any way(including restoration spells) while the weapon is wielded. Bows, crossbows, and slings so crafted bestow the holy power upon their ammunition.' Also, under "intelligent items" (even though this is not one) it says...'that a weapon's alignment must fit with any alignment-orientented special abilities it has (such as the holy item ability)' So, with my character being of CN alignment, can i first, even wield the weapon with it being good-aligned and if i did, do i suffer the negative level? If i can wield it, can i still use the holy power of the weapon and bypass the damage reduction and dealing the extra 2D6 to evil creatures i strike with it? Does that part of the ability only work if the wielder is of good alignment? If i use the sword, can i use the other abilities, just not the holy aspect? I hope people can answer my questions...thanks.
Ancient Wyrm 08-04-04, 12:32 AM	If you're not evil, you don't take the negative level. And nowhere in the description does it give any condition the wielder has to meet for the bonus damage to be used; theoretically, an archfiend could use it. Hope that helps.
Levism84 08-09-04, 12:12 AM	How wonderfully wonderful it is that a neutral character could wield a +5 axiomatic holy/+5 anarchic unholy two-bladed sword. (Makes me giggle.) ~Rain~
Someone 08-09-04, 12:30 AM	An evil character could use a holy weapon, provided they can function with the negative level. And when you absolutly, positivly have to take down your opponent, an evil character would risk it.
Tyler Do'Urden 08-09-04, 01:39 AM	Originally posted by Levism84 How wonderfully wonderful it is that a neutral character could wield a +5 axiomatic holy/+5 anarchic unholy two-bladed sword. (Makes me giggle.) ~Rain~ Hell, you could build a whole character around that. A priest of neutrality. Believes in leveling the playing field.