Negative level

A Negative Level is a debilitating and potentially lethal debuff affecting monsters and players.

Each negative level gives a creature a -2 penalty on attack rolls, saves, skill, and ability checks.
It also inflicts a -1 penalty to effective level (affects things like spells and abilities which rely on caster level or character level).
Negative levels don't cause hit point damage directly, but the target loses 10% of the maximum HP. For multiple levels, multiply the effect, for example, 3 negative levels reduce target max hp to 0.9 * 0.9 * 0.9 = 0.729.

Negative levels stack. If the target has as many negative levels as its Hit Die or levels, it dies.

Players[edit]

In addition to maximum HP, players lose maximum spell points, probably also 10 % per negative level. Healing negative levels does not restore HP nor SP.
The penalty to skill checks reduces your UMD may make it more complicated to use a scroll of Restoration.

Players can additionally suffer from similar effects

Negative levels from wearing items with incompatible alignment inflict a -5 penalty to hp and a -1 penalty to attack, skills, and saving throws. They do not affect spell points or caster levels. One negative level per contradiction in alignment (max 2), regardless of the number of items equipped. An item can give more than one negative level. These negative levels do not stack with negative levels from spells and attacks with regard to death by insufficient levels.
Death penalty

The most valuable debuff against monsters is the max HP reduction and saves penalty.

Negative levels are most effective if you can apply a significant number early in combat. Half dozen negative levels eliminate almost one half of a creature's HP.
The penalty to saving throws can make it easier to land other spells against the negleveled target.
Epic monsters regenerate negative levels at a very fast pace, however, the inflicted HP damage does not heal.

Some monster groups are immune to negative levels:

This can come in the form of items, effects, spells, and other ways.

Cleric Death domain - level 9 feat
Druid Nature's Protector Undying Beast (tier 4)
Paladin Knight of the Chalice Improved Courage of Heaven (core 4)
Wizard Pale Masters in undead form are immune to negative levels.
- Other Transformation stances which result in a player being treated as Undead also grant immunity. (Dhampir/Dhampir DB, Abyss Warlock, Dark Apostate, Jack Jibbers)
Vistani Knife Fighter Universal Tree - Mist Stalker IV
Shadowdancer's Shadowcaster enhancement (T3)
Warforged / Bladeforged are Living Constructs, and are naturally immune to negative levels from spells.
- This also includes non-Transformed Artificers with Improved Construct Essence.
Purity sentient filigree set bonus
Raging Inferno on Mail of the Mroranon

Death will remove all negative levels, however Death Penalty (which is effectively negative levels) cannot be removed by most sources.
Resting (at a shrine or after a quest completion) cures all negative levels and resets Death Penalty to zero.
Negative levels wear off naturally, at a rate of 1 every 2 minutes.

Spells and SLAs

Restoration restores a single negative level. (Alchemists have Restorative Draught)
Greater Restoration purges all negative levels. (Alchemists have Greater Restorative Draught)
Regenerate / Regenerate, Mass restores 4 negative levels over a short duration.
Break Out The Leeches restores negative levels over time.
Unyielding Sovereignty will remove all negative levels and reset Death Penalties.
- Automatically granted as a level 6 feat for Paladins, Clerics, and Favored Souls that follow the Sovereign Host
- Attainable in Radiant Servant enhancements Tier 3
- Also available as Kingly Recovery in Warchanter enhancements
- Also available as Rejuvenation of Dawn in Morninglord enhancements
Positive Energy Burst restores 1d4 negative levels.
Wholeness of Spirit from Grandmaster of Flowers removes all negative levels.

Clickies

Procs

Newbie guide • In development • DDO Store ^(Coupons) • Social media
Classes • Crafting • Enhancements • Epic Destinies • Favor • Feats • Items Maps • Monsters • Places • Quests • Races • Reincarnation • Skills • Spells
Please create an account or log in to get the most updated information (this is up to 6 hours old), remove ads, access dark mode or the mobile friendly Timeless skin, and build a reputation to unlock more editing privileges. Please visit DDO wiki's Discord chat server if you need any help!