I've fought plenty of Nightwalkers in the past, and I've never seen this, so I was wondering if someone could explain what happend. Facing off against said Nightwalker and a bunch of inconsequential greater shadows. My little wizard cast protection from evil so as not to be bothered by the fear effect. The Nightwalker did the fear effect and then, I think something else. I noticed a failed save in the dialog window (presumably *another* natural 1), and and the words DEAD! floated above my wizard. By the time I'd clocked something was up, the game had switched to the Game Over Crow. Two questions - what happened, essentailly what was the the effect that the Nightwalker used. - what can a wizard without access to death ward do to prevent it? Thanks Phil.
Tip: Boost your will and fort saves and guard against fear effects. From the co8 guide: "In the moathouse dungeon, there is a Nightwalker in the rightmost room where the bugbears were. The Nightwalker is an extremely powerful undead that can kill a character if they fail their Fortitude save against its deadly spell. It's not necessary to fight the Nightwalker."
Thanks Mr Rabbit. I did have protection from evil to try to combat fear effects. I had a pretty good fort save as well, with a rat and a cloak+5 and amulet of health +6. I was probably looking at only failing on a 1, which is why I've never seen that happen before. Does anybody know what their deadly spell is? Spellcraft is not providing clues. And, more importantly, does anyone know how to protect a character from this spell? If a nightwalker is rocking a spell that essentially reads "roll a D20, if you get a 1 you die" that's quiet a scary prospect given that they appear in random encounters.
Thank for pitching in Oleg. I'm not sure I follow how greater heroism helps. From the srd: This spell functions like heroism, except the creature gains a +4 morale bonus on attack rolls, saves, and skill checks, immunity to fear effects, and temporary hit points equal to your caster level (maximum 20). Immunity to fear is great, and +4 to fort save will certainly help, but it seems to me that you are stil risking rolling a 1 vs the finger of death. Am I missing something else? Thanks.
There's also the option of going first and destroying all your opposition (AoE spam, etc.) before it can hurt back.
Have you tried or thought about talking to the potion seller in the swamp? Fwiw, I think you are getting overly-worried about a 1 in 20 chance. Also, once the Nightwalker is engaged in melee combat it seldom casts the spells.
Greater Heroism never failed me, but sure a 1 roll can always break your neck. But I think that's the way it should be.
I ran into the nightwalker in a random encounter before the moathouse respawn quest was available. Otherwise stocking up on potions is the way to go.
