In the spell Death Ward's description you can find the following:
"The subject is immune to energy drain and any negative energy
effects, including channeled negative energy."
But what are negative energy effects and what are not?.
Should it be considered that, since Necromancy deals with "the power of death, unlife and the life force" it sometimes deals with negative energy, to decide if death ward protects against spells like "waves of fatigue" or "ray of enfeeblement"? Or should those spells be taken as manipulations of the life force rather than negative energy effects? I guess this is the correct interpretation, but....
A Shadow or a Wraith's touch attack are somehow obvious negative energy effects, given the nature of those undead creatures, aren't they? Does death ward provide immunity against them? If not, why aren't those attacs to be considered negative energy effects?. Are Shadows and Wraiths expert life force manipulators as well?.
I just think that Death Ward lacks a bit of concretion here.
Thoughts?
Thanks :P
Generally, negative energy effects include inflict wounds spells, channeling negative energy, energy drain, and possibly ability drain. This list is not exhaustive, however. Immunity to energy drain doesn't stop the raw damage of being hit by a creature. For example, a vampire's slam attack still hurts (hp damage), you just don't lose levels to it.
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It would apply to any effect or spell that specifically mentions negative energy in its description (for example, enervation or inflict spells, or the effects of the negative energy plane).
It is a vague description, but it's intended as a catch-all. Got a draco-lich with a negative energy breath weapon? Nope.
Jal and Lathiira have the long and short of it. In essence negative energy effects are any spells or ability that uses negative energy in any way. These abilities and descriptions will specifically state that they are negative energy effects. Its worded vaguely specifically to catch things. Examples would be...
Energy Drain (functions as Ennervation, which includes use of negative energy)
Ennervation
Harm
Any Inflict Spell
Waves of Exhaustion
Waves of Fatigue
That's it as far as I can see for spells.
Also of note, most coporeal (and incoporeal) undead use negative energy when they employ their spell like abilities. (Such as level drain/ability drain effects.)
All in all its a good one to prepare when fighting undead.