Do Multiple Castings of Enervation Stack?

[youspoonybard]

See title, pretty much.

Explanations as to why or why not would be appreciated.

I think Enervation is probably fine as a 4th level spell if it didn't stack with itself...and Energy Drain would be more balanced as a 9th level spell instead of a 4th and an 8th level spell (Enervation, Quickened Enervation)...

Negative Levels do stack, according to the spell, but does that refer to getting multiple Enervations, multiple levels from one Enervation, or from multiple spell effects that give negative levels (like a caster being hit by an Enervation and an Energy Drain)? From the "Energy Drain and Negative Levels" section in the DMG, it is apparent that negative levels from the same monster attacks do stack, but since spells don't usually stack with themselves...

Anyone?

 

[Gort]

I'm not gonna be useful, but I am interested - I remember my fighter being targeted by 7 enervation rays from inevitables (so I broke a promise, what can I say) and losing 13 levels. Thankfully the cleric restored me pretty fast, but I can envision being enervated to death without too much trouble.

 

[Particle_Man]

Well, the "no stacking from the same source" rule applies to bonuses, and negative levels, while they impose penalties, are not themselves either bonuses or penalties. Since negative levels stack, I think that negative levels from the same spell stack. So a wand of enervation is nasty. The only thing I can think of to stop abuse is that it can lead to the creation of wights, which is not something good pc's should do.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Since negative levels stack, I think that negative levels from the same spell stack.

Right.

The question is effectively the same as asking "Do Multiple Castings of Magic Missile Stack?"

-Hyp.

 

[youspoonybard]

Alrighty then, thanks!

 

[Al'Kelhar]

Not wanting to disagree with the rules guru (Hypersmurf), but I believe the text "Negative levels stack" in the description of enervation refers to the fact that a single casting of the spell can result in more than one negative energy level being imposed on the target of the spell. That is, the victim of the spell suffers a variable -1 to -4 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, etc., and a variable loss of 1 to 4 or his highest level prepared spells or spell slots. Multiple castings of enervation do not impose additional negative levels but if the first casting of enervation results in only 1 negative level and second casting of enervation results in 3 negative levels, then the victim gains 3 negative levels. That is, same effect, multiple times at different strengths, no stacking but highest strength prevails - exactly like multiple castings of ray of enfeeblement, touch of idiocy, et. al.

Cheers, Al'Kelhar

 

[Scion]

negative levels in this form is a type of damage. You can even sneak attack or crit with it. So, they stack just like damage does. It just so happens that each posses a certain penalty on the creature that they are on as well.

Just like if someone is hit by a creature that deals 2 with each hit, they will stack as well, not just sit with the person haveing 2 of them forever.

 

[Mouseferatu]

I've had my disagreements with the Great Smurf before, but in this case, I'm right there beside him. Negative levels are not penalties per se. They're a form of damage. If you're hit with one enervation for 3 negative levels, and a second enervation for 2 negative levels, you've got 5 negative levels.

 

[youspoonybard]

Sneak Attacking with Enervation.......

...
...

Geez. 1d4 + 10d6 NEGATIVE LEVELS.

There's gotta be a build that abuses that. Arcane trickster looks perfect for the role.

 

[Cheiromancer]

It's 10d6 hp damage. The type of the damage is "negative energy" iirc, but it is *not* negative levels.