Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Rerednaw 12-27-04, 03:02 PM	I posted this originally in the Psionics thread but I hoping other players could share their insight in general. Ability drain (as opposed to ability damage) is permanent. As far as I can see, nothing, other than don't get hit, is an applicable defense before level 7. Ability drain as opposed to ability damage, does not heal either. At level 7 you better have a cleric in your party with lots of diamond dust. 100 gp per restoration. The issue is that before then there either has to be a 'magic shop', healing temple, etc. And assuming your party has the excess wealth (and that they survived) they may be able to purchase restorations. So what can say a standard (iconic) 6th level party do in defense of, counter or to heal the effects of ability drain. I picked 6th because there are some CR 6 critter that possess ability drain. The only one off of the top of my head (don't have my books handy) I can recall is the Lamia. Touch attack for 1d4 wisdom drain. Are there low-level options? Thanks.
Mordmorgan the Mad 12-27-04, 04:02 PM	At low levels, you don't have any immunity to energy drain or ability drain, but there are spells that can bolster your saves (the protection from X spells, resistance). Sanctuary is always nice. As for 2nd level spells, the stat boosters (bull's strength, et al) can help temporarily negate ability drain. Other than that, I didn't find too much on the SRD. Just hope for high rolls and boost your saves and touch AC every chance you get.
Cyricist 12-28-04, 07:42 AM	I posted this originally in the Psionics thread but I hoping other players could share their insight in general. Ability drain (as opposed to ability damage) is permanent. As far as I can see, nothing, other than don't get hit, is an applicable defense before level 7. Ability drain as opposed to ability damage, does not heal either. Death Ward (at least in 3.5) Otherwise, I suggest you have a DM implement Negative Plane Protection ;)
Rerednaw 12-28-04, 09:33 AM	Death Ward Necromancy Level: Clr 4, Death 4, Drd 5, Pal 4 Components: V, S, DF Casting Time: 1 standard action Range: Touch Target: Living creature touched Duration: 1 min./level Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless) Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless) The subject is immune to all death spells, magical death effects, energy drain, and any negative energy effects. This spell doesn’t remove negative levels that the subject has already gained, nor does it affect the saving throw necessary 24 hours after gaining a negative level. Death ward does not protect against other sorts of attacks even if those attacks might be lethal. The Lamia's touch is not a negative energy effect. Also, I should perhaps reiterate. What 6th level iconic party will routinely have access to this spell? It gets even more interesting when you consider the Allip (1d4 Wisdom drain), a CR 3 creature. What 3rd level party has that kind of wealth or access to 4th or 5th level spells. Boosting your saves is nice...but the Allip's and the Lamia's drain does not have a saving throw.
On_the_wings_of_TPK 12-28-04, 03:29 PM	The Lamia's touch is not a negative energy effect. Also, I should perhaps reiterate. What 6th level iconic party will routinely have access to this spell? It gets even more interesting when you consider the Allip (1d4 Wisdom drain), a CR 3 creature. What 3rd level party has that kind of wealth or access to 4th or 5th level spells. Boosting your saves is nice...but the Allip's and the Lamia's drain does not have a saving throw. The spell you listed is unforchunately not avable untill 7th level, unlles in a wand or scroll. Whitch was exactly what I was about to sujest, wands and scrolls. Most DM's wouldn't use something like energy drain on a party that thoeretically had no maens of dealing with it. Also one could make a vampiric golbin that would be able to use a slam attack that delt negative levels. It'd only be a CR2,1/4. A scroll of restoration is only 800gp. At least according to my DMG. I'm pretty sure one would only need a use magic device check DC 27, to cast it off the scroll. We'll assume the party rogue is compent, and has max ranks in that skill, 9. Now lets say that they take spell focus use magic device, +2. And just for fun we'll say that they have the magical aptitude feat from the PHB, +2, we'll assume that the rogue also has 5 or more ranks in decipher script and spell craft, +2 each, and lastly we'll say that they have a +2 modifier in CHA. That means that said rogue has a +20 to their use magic device check, at level 6, or alternatively they 7 or better, or only fail 30% of the time. Alternatively, a party could all save up and win the lottery, then they could buy a wand of restoration for 26,000gp. A little expensive I know, but they would get 50 charges, and the check for a non-define caster to use is only 20. So our rogue freind from above would need to get a 2 or better on the dia roll. (the synergy bonus for decipher script only applies to scrolls. ;) ) Cheers
Rerednaw 12-29-04, 09:40 AM	Hmmm, looks like we haven't found anything based upon RAW that works not without some house ruling, magic shops or 'friendly npc spell casting' on the cheap. Dang, guess I won't be able to use them (or if I am playing, I'm just going to run away). 800 gp with 30% failure is a lot of cash for only 70% success at level 3. 26,000 gp means (standard wealth by level, max half cash in one item) waiting until level 10 or so. Well I suppose monsters are things to be feared after all, we are talking about a challenge. The party will have to react accordingly. I think the lowest cost is npc = 7th level x level 4 spell x 10 gp + material cost = 380 gp. That's still assumes an npc friendly to the party of high enough power is available. And the party survives running back to the town healer/temple while at diminished capacity. Running the core modules I don't think you encounter someone who can until the 3rd module or so and by then the party is already going to be 7th level.