Negative Energy Protection (Polarization Potions) Adjustment

[Vlaid]

As a spell would be cool if it blocked both negative and positive damage. This would give both necromancers and the mega rare undead PCs a viable counter (which could still be dispelled) to being crushed by orange/purple ash trinkets.

This would also give DMs using big undead NPCs a quick and easy option to stop the ash stream instead of the backwards situation of being forced to make positive damage LESS effective on undead than elemental sources - a specific buff blocking it would at least make it come across more sensibly.

Also just change the name of the spell to "Polarization" or something to indicate blocking both

[Tala]

Sure, done. I'll change the spell name/desc on the next hak update.

[Electrohydra]

This is a really weird change. All of the anti-undead tools deal positive damage. Positive damage basically means use this against undead.  But now positive damage is the worst thing against undead?

Comes to mind as an example a certain dagger with +1d4 positive vs undead. This weapon is basically meant for rogues to be able to at least do some damage to undead. But now this becomes the worst dagger against undead henchmen or PCs. Instead of being rewarded for bringing the right tool, the rogue is punished for it.

If ash spam is such a problem (I don't think it is. Undead minions are already incredibly powerful, and undeath has amazing benefits, it doesn't need to have all it's downsides removed) then something like changing the Inflict line's effect to block the Cure line to work on offensive Cures seems more appropriate and doesn't nerf every other anti-undead tool as a side-effect.

[SalveForThePeople]

It's a turn/level spell so anyone who needs to fear positive damage won't have it protecting them all the time as if it were an hour/level spell. Potions/items providing the spell are relatively rare.  And it could be dispelled.

I think this gives undead N/PCs a decent option for defending against positive damage when they previously had nothing but hoping to make the will save for half damage.

[Electrohydra]

It's not a rare spell. You can literally just brew the potion or craft it with alchemy.

And the argument isn't that it's overpowered, it's that it makes the damage type that's specifically ment to fight undead into the worst thing you can use against undead.

Undead PCs already had a way to fight against ash, it's drinking healing (inflict) potions once in a while. Ash has a touch attack, and a save, and takes a full round. It's terrible DPS, unless you are fighting 4 on 1 it's very easy to outheal.

[SalveForThePeople]

Ha. Yes, I forgot about the potion brewing. Fair point.

[SunrypeSlim]

Here's my thoughts:

-Could Positive Energy Protection be its own custom spell?

-or Could the Divine Immunity be less than 100%?

-or Could NEP itself be turned into ablative damage resistance, like the * Elements spell line?

-I am afraid of 100% divine immunity for turn/level and would run away every time.

[Scumlord Spiffy]

Here's my thoughts:

-Could Positive Energy Protection be its own custom spell?

-or Could the Divine Immunity be less than 100%?

-or Could NEP itself be turned into ablative damage resistance, like the * Elements spell line?

-I am afraid of 100% divine immunity for turn/level and would run away every time.

Healing items do positive damage, not divine.

Bless weapon and subsequent divine damage based items will still work.

Just need to find the positive energy dagger and similar items and switch their damage type to divine.

[Astegard]

Doesn't simply drinking a "inflict X " potion make you immune to further healing of the same or lower level for a bit.
You could just drink an "inflict critical wounds" potion as undead (or feed it to your undead) and they would be immune to the cure variants.