Would you say, a vampire fails its reflex save against a sunbeam spell would it:
1. Take 1d6 points of damage per caster level (maximum of 20d6).
2. Is destroyed.
Arguably vampires are not harmed by bright light, as the spell’s descriptor suggests. Many undead (apparitions, nightshades, wraiths, etc.) have specified light aversion or sunlight powerlessness and it seems those are more apt to be affected by the destructive power of the bright light described by the spell.
Of course should the damage dealt by the spell reduces the vampire to zero, its destruction is assured, but it seems unlikely that a vampire with 150 hit points, which fails it saving throw against sixteenth level cleric and sustains a mere 48 hit points of damage should be destroyed outright.
Or is the “bright light” generated by the sunbeam spell actually duplicates destructive sunlight? Thoughts?
Sunbeam Description
For the duration of this spell, you can use a standard action to evoke a dazzling beam of intense light each round. You can call forth one beam per three caster levels (maximum six beams at 18th level). The spell ends when its duration runs out or your allotment of beams is exhausted.
Each creature in the beam is blinded (permanently*) and takes 4d6 points of damage. Any creatures to which sunlight is harmful or unnatural take double damage. A successful Reflex save negates the blindness and reduces the damage by half.
An undead creature caught within the beam takes 1d6 points of damage per caster level (maximum 20d6), or half damage if a Reflex save is successful. In addition, the beam results in the destruction of any undead creature specifically harmed by bright light if it fails its save.
The ultraviolet light generated by the spell deals damage to fungi, mold, oozes, and slimes just as if they were undead creatures.
