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Vampiric Touch

Vampiric Touch
  • Level: 3
  • School: Necromancy
  • Class: Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
  • Casting Time: Action
  • Range: Self
  • Components: V, S
  • Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

The touch of your shadow-wreathed hand can siphon life force from others to heal your wounds. Make a melee spell attack against one creature within reach. On a hit, the target takes 3d6 Necrotic damage, and you regain Hit Points equal to half the amount of Necrotic damage dealt.

Until the spell ends, you can make the attack again on each of your turns as a Magic action, targeting the same creature or a different one.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d6 for each spell slot level above 3.

Tactical Usage​

Sustained Life Drain Combat. Vampiric Touch provides ongoing melee attacks that deal damage while healing the caster.

Self-Sustaining Warrior Magic. The spell enables spellcasters to engage in extended melee combat through health regeneration.

Concentration-Based Aggression. The spell rewards maintaining close combat positioning through repeated healing benefits.

Spell Combinations​

Melee Enhancement. Combining with defensive magic enables sustained close combat through magical protection.

Health Management. Using alongside other healing magic creates comprehensive health maintenance strategies.

Combat Positioning. Pairing with movement magic enables optimal targeting for life drain attacks.

Material Component Details​

Verbal and Somatic Only. The spell requires only verbal and somatic components, eliminating material dependencies for life drain.

Necromantic Energy Channeling. The components channel death magic through the caster's touch attacks.

Shadow Magic Focus. The casting emphasizes darkness and life force manipulation through necromantic power.

Creator Notes​

Necromantic Combat Magic. Vampiric Touch provides sustainable combat option for necromancy-focused characters.

Risk-Reward Mechanics. The melee requirement creates tactical decisions about positioning versus safety.

Scaling Damage Balance. The spell maintains effectiveness through higher-level casting while preserving healing ratios.

Environmental Interactions​

Melee Range Requirement. The spell demands close proximity to targets, creating positioning vulnerabilities.

Repeated Attack Capability. The concentration duration enables multiple attacks against the same or different targets.

Life Force Transfer. The spell requires living targets with life force to drain for healing effects.

Common Rulings & Clarifications​

Magic Action Economy. Subsequent attacks after the first require Magic actions rather than full actions.

Healing Calculation. The caster regains hit points equal to half the necrotic damage actually dealt.

Target Flexibility. Each attack can target the same creature or switch to different targets.

Concentration Maintenance. Losing concentration ends the spell and prevents further attacks.

Alternative Applications​

Sustained Combat Healing. Providing ongoing health recovery during extended combat encounters.

Life Force Investigation. Testing creature types and resistances through necromantic damage attempts.

Intimidation Display. Demonstrating necromantic power through visible life drain effects.

Necromantic Combat Magic. Various spells provide necromantic damage, while Vampiric Touch offers sustained healing benefits.

Life Drain Comparison. The spell represents classic vampiric abilities adapted for magical combat use.

Touch Attack Spells. The spell joins other touch-based magic requiring close combat positioning.

Scaling Analysis​

Linear Damage Scaling. The spell gains 1d6 necrotic damage per spell level above 3rd.

Healing Ratio Consistency. The half-damage healing maintains consistent recovery rates across levels.

Concentration Value. The sustained effect provides excellent value for the spell slot investment.

Narrative Flavor​

Vampiric Life Drain. The touch should emphasize drawing life force from targets into the caster.

Shadow-Wreathed Hand. The casting hand should appear wreathed in darkness and necromantic energy.

Life Force Transfer Visualization. The effect should show visible energy flowing from target to caster during successful attacks.