Death magic

Death magic refers to spells or spell-like effects that attempt to directly kill the target. Many of these spells require the victim to make a fortitude save versus death magic. Undead and constructs, not being truly alive, are often immune to such spells.

Death Magic Spells
These spells are defined as death magic by way of the spell's "immunitiy" being listed as "death."


 * Finger of death
 * Circle of death
 * Power word, kill

Exceptions
There are many other spells that can cause instant death, but the immunity may be fear, as in the spells Phantasmal killer and Weird. Other spells might only kill if the target has a specified number of hit die. A most notable exception may be the Drown spell, which kills its victims indirectly: the vortex the caster creates kills the targets, rather than the caster directly harming the victims.