Searing Light vs Vampires

[Sturmwulf]

I recently ran into a rules question that none of us at the table could find any definite rules on. The group's cleric took a vampire to below 0 hit points using the Searing Light spell. The gm had the vampire change to mist form and escape, citing that the Searing Light spell didn't state that it actually counts as killing a vampire rather than just forcing it to mist form. Others in the group stated that Searing Light's description states that it is considered holy sunlight. Since sunlight will destroy a vampire, one would think that a spell that has the properties of sunlight, especially holy sunlight, would also destroy the vampire. I was just wondering if anyone knew if there were rules or errata anywhere for this.

 

[Merlion]

I dont know of any errata. the text of the spell is "focusing holy power like a ray of the sun". It does do extra damage to undead. And yea it implies the heck out of that it should be able to destroy a vampire (much like Daylight the worst rename job in history). Conceptualy it probably should destroy a vampire. Balance wise many would think this to much for a 3rd level spell. Thats entirly up to you.

 

[Merlion]

Or the DM rather sorry. Balance wise his ruling is probably right...tough call those things.

 

[gfunk]

I'm with Merilon on this one. That bit you quoted in the Searing Light spell description is probably flavor text. There are spells that explicitly state that they destroy undead with sunlight sensitivity (Sunbeam and Sunburst), so it looks like your DM made the correct call.

 

[Sturmwulf]

That sounds reasonable. Thanks for the responses. Thinking on it, you are probably right about the flavor text part.

 

[Merlion]

It is a tad sad though.
And dear god I hope they rename daylight in 3.5...

 

[CRGreathouse]

It is a tad sad though.
And dear god I hope they rename daylight in 3.5...

What do you think it should be called?

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Keep in mind that only if a vampire is exposed to sunlight for one full round is it destroyed. Searing Light probably doesn't last long enough to destroy vampires...

 

[hong]

What do you think it should be called?

Brighter light?
Greater light?


Hong "First star I see tonight?" Ooi

 

[Darklone]

It's called daylight and not sunlight

They should reword the vampire description and explain the rules how to actually destroy one.