Thanatopic Spell (Metamagic)

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Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Ultimate Magic

Your spells can pierce wards against negative energy and even affect undead targets.
Feat Type(s)
Prerequisites
Benefit

A thanatopic spell pierces defenses and immunities that protect against death effects, negative levels, and energy drain, affecting the target as if the protective barrier did not exist.

For example, you could cast a thanatopic vampiric touch or enervation spell on a target under the effects of death ward, and the target would suffer the normal effect of the spell. Saving throws and SR (if any) still apply.

Undead are susceptible to spells augmented by this feat, as it retunes the negative energy to be harmful to them. A thanatopic spell that would kill a living creature (such as by giving it negative levels equal to its Hit Dice) destroys an undead (though undead such as ghosts, liches, and vampires may reform as normal). Undead affected by thanatopic spells that give negative levels automatically make their saving throws to remove negative levels after 24 hours.

A thanatopic spell uses up a spell slot two levels higher than the spell’s actual level.

Normal

Defenses such as death ward negate death effects, negative levels, and energy drain. Undead are immune to these attacks.

The text on this page is Open Game Content, and is licensed for public use under the terms of the Open Game License v1.0a.

Sources:

  • Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Ultimate Magic

SECTION 15

  • Anger of Angels, Copyright 2003, Sean K Reynolds.
  • Book of Fiends, Copyright 2003, Green Ronin Publishing; Authors: Aaron Loeb, Erik Mona, Chris Pramas, Robert J. Schwalb.
  • Monte Cook’s Arcana Unearthed, Copyright 2003, Monte J. Cook.
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  • Daemon, Derghodaemon from the Tome of Horrors, Revised, Copyright 2002, Necromancer Games, Inc.; Author: Scott Greene, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax.
  • Daemon, Hydrodaemon from the Tome of Horrors, Revised, Copyright 2002, Necromancer Games, Inc.; Author: Scott Greene, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax.
  • Daemon, Piscodaemon from the Tome of Horrors, Revised, Copyright 2002, Necromancer Games, Inc.; Author: Scott Greene, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax.
  • Froghemoth from the Tome of Horrors, Copyright 2002, Necromancer Games, Inc.; Author: Scott Greene, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax.
  • Ice Golem from the Tome of Horrors, Copyright 2002, Necromancer Games, Inc.; Author: Scott Greene.
  • Iron Cobra from the Tome of Horrors, Copyright 2002, Necromancer Games, Inc.; Author: Scott Greene, based on original material by Philip Masters.
  • Marid from the Tome of Horrors III, Copyright 2005, Necromancer Games, Inc.; Author: Scott Greene.
  • Mihstu from the Tome of Horrors, Revised, Copyright 2002, Necromancer Games, Inc.; Author: Scott Greene, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax.
  • Nabasu Demon from the Tome of Horrors, Copyright 2002, Necromancer Games, Inc.; Author: Scott Greene, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax.
  • Necrophidius from the Tome of Horrors, Revised, Copyright 2002, Necromancer Games, Inc.; Author: Scott Greene, based on original material by Simon Tillbrook.
  • Open Game License v 1.0a, Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
  • Sandman from the Tome of Horrors, Revised, Copyright 2002, Necromancer Games, Inc.; Author: Scott Greene, based on original material by Roger Musson.
  • Scarecrow from the Tome of Horrors, Revised, Copyright 2002, Necromancer Games, Inc.; Author: Scott Greene, based on original material by Roger Musson.
  • Shadow Demon from the Tome of Horrors, Copyright 2002, Necromancer Games, Inc.; Author: Scott Greene, based on original material by Neville White.
  • System Reference Document, Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors: Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, based on material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.
  • Wood Golem from the Tome of Horrors, Copyright 2002, Necromancer Games, Inc.; Authors: Scott Greene and Patrick Lawinger.
  • Pathminder, Copyright 2016, Drumanagh Wilpole.