Some spells and a number of undead creatures have the ability to drain away life and energy; this dreadful attack results in “negative levels.” These cause a character to take a number of penalties.
For each negative level a creature has, it takes a cumulative –1 penalty on all ability checks, attack rolls, combat maneuver checks, Combat Maneuver Defense, saving throws, and skill checks. In addition, the creature reduces its current and total hit points by 5 for each negative level it possesses. The creature is also treated as one level lower for the purpose of level-dependent variables (such as spellcasting) for each negative level possessed. Spellcasters do not lose any prepared spells or slots as a result of negative levels. If a creature's negative levels equal or exceed its total Hit Dice, it dies.
1. you dont lose BAB, as its not a level dependant ability. so I'd say +4/-1. You simply take the penalty.
2. Performance would be a standard action, because it would be a level dependant ability.
Negative levels do not affect BAB. You just take a -1 penalty to attacks for each negative level.
Negative levels only also only affect abilities with level-dependent variables. That is: 1 round/level, +1/level, 1d6/level, etc. Things like Caster Level, Lay on Hands, Channel Energy, Sneak Attack, Bardic Performances per day, etc. would be affected. Non variable effects, like what action it takes to activate bardic performance wouldn't be affected.
I'd think that while BAB isn't directly a level-dependent variable, multiple attacks from levels certainly are. You lose the iterative attack, in other words.
No those are BAB dependent therefore not level dependent. No amount of negitive to your attack rolls takes away an attack.
From what i've read your BAB doesnt decrease, but you get a penalty to the roll based on "negative level" so u still have +6/+1 but now roll with a -2 penalty. Same reason Casters dont loose their higher level Spell slots when level drained, but instead casts the spells at a lower Caster Level when determining the effects on the spells.
An alchemist can use a number of bombs each day equal to his class level + his Intelligence modifier.
This is a level-dependent variable. Note that you need to know the alchemist's level to know how many bombs he gets.
At 3rd level, an alchemist can create alchemical items with astounding speed. It takes an alchemist half the normal amount of time to create alchemical items, and he can apply poison to a weapon as a move action.
This is not a level-dependent variable. The way this ability functions has nothing to do with level. At 3rd level, the alchemist gets this ability. NOTHING can take it away from him. A 3rd level Alchemist with 1 negative level IS NOT a 2nd level Alchemist. He gets all the abilities of a 3rd level Alchemist, BUT for any ability that is dependent on level, like Bombs, he uses a reduced effective level to determine variable effects.
Bab and saves are not dependent on level, they increase as you level up, but once you get them, you have them.
Once per day, a cavalier can challenge a foe to combat. As a swift action, the cavalier chooses one target within sight to challenge. The cavalier’s melee attacks deal extra damage whenever the attacks are made against the target of his challenge. This extra damage is equal to the cavalier’s level. The cavalier can use this ability once per day at 1st level, plus one additional time per day for every three levels beyond 1st, to a maximum of seven times per day at 19th level.
Damage is level-dependent. Times per day isn't. The Cavalier doesn't get 1 challenge per 4 levels, he gets "[One] per day at 1st level plus one additional time per day for every three levels beyond 1st" It's a subtle difference in the text.
Often times, you can look at the table. With very few exceptions, if it's on the table, the character doesn't lose it from negative levels
I've some questions:
1) What about Flurry of Blows? Can lose attacks or base damage?
2) Spellcasters loses slots or ability to cast some high level spells?
i'm arguing about this and i think i don't lose any of these. there is a FAQ about Negative Levels?