Rules Clarification on Hunter of the Dead PrC

[Viking_Mage]

As a 5th level ability, the Hunter of the Dead PrC gains the ability to permanently kill any undead when they deliver the finishing blow.

So, does this class feature, obviously designed for a ghost's rejuvenation ability, also work against a vampire's fog cloud return to his coffin to heal and a lich's phylactery?

[Natael]

I'd say, at the very least, the vampire is not dead as a fog cloud, so it would not work there. Have no idea on the lich though.

[Yzzyx]

As a 5th level ability, the Hunter of the Dead PrC gains the ability to permanently kill any undead when they deliver the finishing blow.

So, does this class feature, obviously designed for a ghost's rejuvenation ability, also work against a vampire's fog cloud return to his coffin to heal and a lich's phylactery?

I wouldn't say it's obviously meant just for ghosts, as it wouldn't get the ability if returning from the dead wasn't iconic for undead (and more than just one type). It says that they're permenantly destroyed and never able to rise as undead again, so if I used it on an undead creature and saw it rise as undead again (including both vampires and liches), I would probably consider that unfair. Still, like all things, it's totally up to the DM.

[Yorrin]

As a DM I'd rule that it worked on any undead except those with a phylactery, since the phylactery is the house of the creature's soul, but in all other cases the soul is present in the creature itself (with some possible obscure exceptions- I seem to recall some sort of undead knight that keeps his soul in his sword).

But yeah, I don't see why it wouldn't work against vampires, ghosts, etc.

[Thurbane]

If the ability didn't work on Vampires or Liches, I would say that it is relatively useless. IMHO, it should work on any undead, including Ghosts, Vampires and Liches. It's really the only ability the PrC gets that sets it significantly apart from a Cleric or Paladin...to nerf it to only work on Ghosts would make the PrC fairly unappealing. I mean, it is called Hunter of the Dead, not just Ghost Slayer.

[KillianHawkeye]

I seem to recall some sort of undead knight that keeps his soul in his sword

That's how the 4E Death Knight works. I don't think there was anything similar in 3.5e.

[Yorrin]

That's how the 4E Death Knight works. I don't think there was anything similar in 3.5e.

Ah, yeah that's it. I had a player who became a death knight during the brief amount of time I DM'd 4e (the first year it was out).