| Eldon RowDragon |
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Hi!
I wondered what does this sentence mean in the Slay living spell's description:
"The subject might die from damage even if it succeeds on its saving throw."
I mean I know this, this is clear, but this is clear about every other damaging spells. The subject may die if she succeeds on her saving throw vs. a fireball or lightning bolt or cone of cold, etc. Why is this sentence highlighted in this spell's description?
Thanks
| .seth |
it inherited the language from the 3.5 version which caused instant death or some damage, instead of some damage or less damage. most of the save or die spells are now save or be harmed spells because the design philosophy changed in regards to balance between melee and casters.
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/slayLiving.htm
"You can slay any one living creature."
there also used to be a system shock rule that caused instant death, now its optional.
Massive Damage (Optional Rule)
If you ever sustain a single attack that deals an amount of damage equal to half your total hit points (minimum 50 points of damage) or more and it doesn't kill you outright, you must make a DC 15 Fortitude save. If this saving throw fails, you die regardless of your current hit points. If you take half your total hit points or more in damage from multiple attacks, no one of which dealt more than half your total hit points (minimum 50), the massive damage rule does not apply.
| My Self |
Probably a way to clarify that saving from "Slay Living" doesn't necessarily prevent you from being slain. This seems like a possible concern that Paizo attempted to preemptive address. Following a certain logic, one might figure: If you save against "Slay Living", then you can't be slain by that spell. The wording makes it clear that even if you save, you might still be slain.
It's not a 3.5E callback, since in 3.5E, you died on a failed save, and took 3d6+1 per caster level on a successful save. There was no wording saying you can't die after taking the 3d6+1 per caster level.