Necromancy • Legacy Witch Curse
Withering Touch
Withering Touch drains physical power through a single touch, dividing a pool of ability damage between Strength and Constitution. It is the direct legacy counter to Bounty / Strength to the Unborn.
Withering Touch at a Glance
| 5.5e / 2024 | No direct conversion published here |
|---|---|
| 5e / 2014 | No direct conversion published here |
| Pathfinder 1e | Not a Pathfinder Witch spell by default |
| D&D 3.x Legacy | Witch 4, Cleric 4 |
Spell Rules by Edition
Withering Touch — 5.5e / 2024
Status: no official SRD 5.2.1 spell by this name. Do not convert the 2d8 ability-damage pool directly into modern rules.
Withering Touch — 5e / 2014
Status: no direct core spell by this name.
Withering Touch — Pathfinder 1e
Status: not a default Pathfinder Witch spell. Pathfinder ability damage and spell balance must remain separate.
Withering Touch — D&D 3.x Legacy
| School | Necromancy |
|---|---|
| Level | Witch 4, Cleric 4 |
| Components | S, M |
| Casting Time | 1 action |
| Range | Touch |
| Target | Creature touched |
| Duration | Instantaneous or 1 hour; see text |
| Saving Throw | Fortitude half |
| Spell Resistance | Yes |
Roll 2d8. Divide that total as temporary ability damage between the target’s Strength and Constitution in any proportion you choose. A successful Fortitude save halves the total according to the legacy spell.
This spell is countered by Bounty / Strength to the Unborn.
What Changed?
- D&D 3.x Legacy: the spell divides 2d8 temporary ability damage between Strength and Constitution.
- Pathfinder 1e: no default Witch conversion is assumed; its ability-damage system and spell balance differ.
- 5.5e / 2024 and 5e / 2014: later editions do not use this form of large ability-score damage.
Using Withering Touch in Play
This is a close-range curse for weakening a physically dangerous opponent. The caster decides whether to emphasise Strength loss, Constitution loss or split the effect, making the choice part of the spell’s tactical identity.
Related Magic
- Bounty / Strength to the Unborn — the spell’s specific legacy counter.
- Bestow Curse
- Remove Curse
Edition Boundary
Direct ability-score damage at this magnitude is a legacy mechanic and should not be imported into 5.5e. Pathfinder uses its own ability-damage rules and spell balance.
Counterplay
Fortitude resistance and spell resistance apply in legacy play. The linked Bounty spell provides the specific counter relationship preserved by the source.
Rules Sources and Licensing
Legacy source: Liber Mysterium: The Netbook of Witches and Warlocks. Obsolete ad code has been removed.
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