I noticed this contrast between the capstone for the Life Oracle and the Life Shaman:
Upon reaching 20th level... immunity to bleed, death attacks, and negative energy, as well as to the exhausted, fatigued, nauseated, and sickened conditions. Ability damage and drain cannot reduce her to below 1 in any ability score. She automatically succeeds at saving throws against massive damage. When she is reduced to below 0 hit points, she doesn't die until her negative hit point total exceeds double her Constitution score.
Upon reaching 20th level... immune to bleed, death attacks, exhaustion, fatigue, nausea effects, negative levels, and sickened effects. Ability damage and drain cannot reduce you below 1 in any ability score. You automatically make saving throws against massive damage. When you are below 0 hit points, you do not die until your negative total is in excess of twice your Constitution score.
The only difference, so far as a I can see, is that one grants immunity to "negative energy", and the other to "negative levels". Does the former encompass the latter? I presume immunity to negative energy protects against negative energy hit point damage, whereas immunity to negative levels does not. Any other key differences?
negative energy is a type of damage, like fire or cold.
negative levels are negative levels.
Huh; wonder why they changed that one tiny thing from the Oracle to the Shaman.
So, immunity to negative energy is JUST a hit point damage issue, to be
clear?
What about immunity to energy drain? I think that's the same as immunity to negative levels?
Negative Energy is not just negative energy damage. There are a number of (spell) effects that use the phrase Negative Energy.
Example:
You point your finger and fire a black ray of negative energy that suppresses the life force of any living creature it strikes. You must make a ranged touch attack to hit. If you hit, the subject gains 1d4 temporary negative levels (see Appendix 1). Negative levels stack.
So, the Life Shaman is immune to Enervation because it is "negative energy" and the Life Oracle is immune to Enervation because it is "negative levels".
There are other spells that are defined as negative energy (such as Ghoul Touch, Touch of Fatigue, and Waves of Exhaustion). The Life Shaman is immune to all negative energy effects.
So... immunity to negative energy applies if, and only if, the term "negative energy" is used.
Both would be immune to Enervation.
Only Life Oracle would be immune to vampire energy drain.
Only Life Shaman would be immune to, say, a harm spell.
Sound about right?
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Something like that. The Shaman wouldn't have to worry, at that point, for other things like the Shadow, and its relatives, Strength damage, as it is called out as negative energy:
Strength Damage (Su) A shadow's touch deals 1d6 points of Strength damage to a living creature. This is a negative energy effect. A creature dies if this Strength damage equals or exceeds its actual Strength score.
