View source for SRD:Ability Score Loss

====[[SRD:Ability Drain|Ability Drain]]====

The ability that some creatures have to drain ability scores is a supernatural one, requiring some sort of attack. This effect permanently reduces a living opponent’s [[SRD:Ability Scores|ability score]] when the creature hits with a [[SRD:Melee Attack|melee attack]], though [[SRD:Restoration|''restoration'']] can restore even those lost [[SRD:Ability Scores|ability score]] points. Such creatures do not drain abilities from enemies when the enemies strike them, even with unarmed attacks or [[SRD:Natural Weapon|natural weapons]]. The creature’s descriptive text gives the ability and the amount drained. If an attack that causes [[SRD:Ability Drain|ability drain]] scores a [[SRD:Critical Hit|critical hit]], it drains twice the indicated amount (if the damage is expressed as a die range, roll two dice). Unless otherwise specified in the creature’s description, a draining creature gains 5 temporary [[SRD:Hit Points|hit points]] (10 on a [[SRD:Critical Hit|critical hit]]) whenever it drains an [[SRD:Ability Scores|ability score]] no matter how many points it drains. Temporary [[SRD:Hit Points|hit points]] gained in this fashion last for a maximum of 1 hour.

Some [[SRD:Ability Drain|ability drain]] attacks allow a [[SRD:Saving Throw|Fortitude]] save ([[SRD:DC|DC]] 10 + 1/2 draining creature’s racial [[SRD:Hit Dice|HD]] + draining creature’s [[SRD:Charisma|Cha]] modifier; the exact [[SRD:DC|DC]] is given in the creature’s descriptive text). If no [[SRD:Saving Throw|saving throw]] is mentioned, none is allowed.

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