Every one of the new Dark Gifts from Van Richten's has a potential drawback from all the advantages they grant... except the "Touch of Death". It's pure damage output with no repercussion. Any reason why that is?

Ask WotC. I'm not surprised they messed up a bit.

but in all seriousness, as a DM, I would literally make it so if the character touches *anyone* with their bare skin, they HAVE to trigger the Death Touch power and make the attack roll.

"Your touch is pain, harming whoever you come in contact with. The deathly power within you is beyond your control, afflicting any who touch your bare skin."

I'd say never being able to touch a loved one, or holding a risk of harming your friends and allies, is a rather big drawback. Read up on Rogue from X-Men comics to see how traumatised and miserable the lack of human touch and comfort was for her - now increase it, since her touch was less lethal than this Dark Gift.

And contrary to Devan's post: if anyone touches you, there's no roll to hit - it's automatic damage. Grappling an ally to stop them going over a cliff or carrying them as you fly from Aasimar wings? Whoops, necro damage for them. 

No kissing, no holding hands, never again feeling any direct physical comfort...

This is actually the worst Dark Gift - it's cost far exceeds it's benefit. So much haunting misery for a chill touch cantrip? 

Plus you can never cast a touch spell ever again

From a gamist perspective, it has no downsides.  You can decide to dress like Larry from Doom Patrol, only unwrapping your fists for battle.  You'll do fine - most of your allies should be wearing clothing, it's easy not to touch someone.  Ask Ned from Pushing Daisies.

But in-universe, your character will absolutely suffer.  WOTC has made the same mistake from way back when TSR gave us The Complete Book of Elves: they're handing out mechanical benefits with a cost only measured in RP.  That's never been a genuine balancing mechanic in any game, and never will be.  Our characters suffering drives our stories - we enjoy it.  It's the whole point of the game.  We're not going to shy away from it - on the contrary, an ability like this offers more power *and* more plot.  Of course we'll take it.

Just hope your cleric doesn't accidentally hit bare skin while casting cure wounds.

Quote from Cyb3rM1nd >>

"Your touch is pain, harming whoever you come in contact with. The deathly power within you is beyond your control, afflicting any who touch your bare skin."

I'd say never being able to touch a loved one, or holding a risk of harming your friends and allies, is a rather big drawback. Read up on Rogue from X-Men comics to see how traumatised and miserable the lack of human touch and comfort was for her - now increase it, since her touch was less lethal than this Dark Gift.

And contrary to Devan's post: if anyone touches you, there's no roll to hit - it's automatic damage. Grappling an ally to stop them going over a cliff or carrying them as you fly from Aasimar wings? Whoops, necro damage for them. 

No kissing, no holding hands, never again feeling any direct physical comfort...

This is actually the worst Dark Gift - it's cost far exceeds it's benefit. So much haunting misery for a chill touch cantrip? 

 RE: "And contrary to Devan's post: if anyone touches you, there's no roll to hit - it's automatic damage. Grappling an ally to stop them going over a cliff or carrying them as you fly from Aasimar wings? Whoops, necro damage for them."

You know, fair point and touche. I stand amended. *nod*

Quote from quindraco >>

From a gamist perspective, it has no downsides.  You can decide to dress like Larry from Doom Patrol, only unwrapping your fists for battle.  You'll do fine - most of your allies should be wearing clothing, it's easy not to touch someone.  Ask Ned from Pushing Daisies.

But in-universe, your character will absolutely suffer.  WOTC has made the same mistake from way back when TSR gave us The Complete Book of Elves: they're handing out mechanical benefits with a cost only measured in RP.  That's never been a genuine balancing mechanic in any game, and never will be.  Our characters suffering drives our stories - we enjoy it.  It's the whole point of the game.  We're not going to shy away from it - on the contrary, an ability like this offers more power *and* more plot.  Of course we'll take it.

 
A DM has the power to enforce downsides, especially if a player is using a Dark Gift in bad faith.  Someone with a Touch of Death who wraps themselves up like crazy to avoid ever touching someone but who expects to be able to magic-*****slap anyone who crosses them will be reminded that pulling gloves off isn't always a free action.  A DM can also ensure that if NPCs discover a character's touch of death, that character is no longer welcome in an area and make the party's life difficult.  Touch of Death is certainly a powerful and flavorful Dark Gift, the sort of thing that can inspire entire character ideas - which is what Dark Gifts are for, really.  But one should never assume they're freebies, even if the book doesn't specify a given downside.

Quote from Cyb3rM1nd >>

"Your touch is pain, harming whoever you come in contact with. The deathly power within you is beyond your control, afflicting any who touch your bare skin."

I'd say never being able to touch a loved one, or holding a risk of harming your friends and allies, is a rather big drawback. Read up on Rogue from X-Men comics to see how traumatised and miserable the lack of human touch and comfort was for her - now increase it, since her touch was less lethal than this Dark Gift.

And contrary to Devan's post: if anyone touches you, there's no roll to hit - it's automatic damage. Grappling an ally to stop them going over a cliff or carrying them as you fly from Aasimar wings? Whoops, necro damage for them. 

No kissing, no holding hands, never again feeling any direct physical comfort...

This is actually the worst Dark Gift - it's cost far exceeds it's benefit. So much haunting misery for a chill touch cantrip? 

 
I readily agree, I’d say that this Dark Gift has the most devastating drawback of any them, in Van Richten’s.