Warchon
2019-04-09, 03:48 AM
I'd like to explore the idea of applying the Energy Substitution feat to [Evil] spells in a 3.5 game, using the logic that [Evil] is a (Negative) Energy descriptor.
The specific application that I think makes this interesting is of course the Animate Dead and Create Undead lines, resulting in acid zombies, electric boos, and icebone skeletons. I feel like this would make a very thematic experience, but one possible immediate pitfall is that you are creating creatures with all the advantages of the Undead type but requiring a very specialized cleric to counter, since you would expect to need Elemental Turning/Rebuking, rather than the standard type. Also a concern is that I don't believe Electricity and Acid have opposites.
Another possible abuse lies with powered undead such as the Necrosis Carnex, which has a negative energy touch attack.
If [Evil] is implicitly negative, then [Good] is also valid here, and bottomless healing for the whole party is likely a headache for the DM.
What input or experience do others here have? Am I overstating the balance concerns? Are there other facets I may be failing to consider?
The specific application that I think makes this interesting is of course the Animate Dead and Create Undead lines, resulting in acid zombies, electric boos, and icebone skeletons. I feel like this would make a very thematic experience, but one possible immediate pitfall is that you are creating creatures with all the advantages of the Undead type but requiring a very specialized cleric to counter, since you would expect to need Elemental Turning/Rebuking, rather than the standard type. Also a concern is that I don't believe Electricity and Acid have opposites.
Another possible abuse lies with powered undead such as the Necrosis Carnex, which has a negative energy touch attack.
If [Evil] is implicitly negative, then [Good] is also valid here, and bottomless healing for the whole party is likely a headache for the DM.
What input or experience do others here have? Am I overstating the balance concerns? Are there other facets I may be failing to consider?