The Vampiric Touch spell states: "On a hit, the target takes 3d6 necrotic damage, and you regain hit points equal to half the amount of necrotic damage dealt."
If a 10th level Death Domain Cleric used their Channel Divinity: Touch of Death feature to add 25 points of necrotic damage to the attack in addition to the 3d6, would it count towards the healing?
Would that make it 3d6 + 25 halved instead of 3d6 halved? Or would this not work the way I'm thinking it does.
For context. the Death Domain Cleric is from the 2014 DMG. Either you're playing with the 2024 rules and legacy content or you are playing with the 2014 rules.
The Channel Divinity feature says that "when the cleric hits a creature with a melee attack, the cleric can use Channel Divinity to deal extra necrotic damage to the target."
I read this as it increases the Necrotic Damage taken by the target by the amount (25 at 10th level). Hex also deals extra necrotic damage but requires Concentration so isn't compatible with Vampiric Touch. However, it's the same wording and it may be easier to compare Hex and Touch of Death when trying to determine if the added damage is considered part of the attack itself.
The Vampiric Touch spell states: "On a hit, the target takes 3d6 necrotic damage, and you regain hit points equal to half the amount of necrotic damage dealt."
If a 10th level Death Domain Cleric used their Channel Divinity: Touch of Death feature to add 25 points of necrotic damage to the attack in addition to the 3d6, would it count towards the healing?
Would that make it 3d6 + 25 halved instead of 3d6 halved? Or would this not work the way I'm thinking it does.
I don't think there's a clear answer on this, but I'd be inclined to say it counts toward the healing. Mostly because it's more fun if it does.
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It seems to me, as written, it should interact.
For context. the Death Domain Cleric is from the 2014 DMG. Either you're playing with the 2024 rules and legacy content or you are playing with the 2014 rules.
Second, Sage Advice has already stated that a melee spell attack counts for Touch of Death.
The Channel Divinity feature says that "when the cleric hits a creature with a melee attack, the cleric can use Channel Divinity to deal extra necrotic damage to the target."
I read this as it increases the Necrotic Damage taken by the target by the amount (25 at 10th level). Hex also deals extra necrotic damage but requires Concentration so isn't compatible with Vampiric Touch. However, it's the same wording and it may be easier to compare Hex and Touch of Death when trying to determine if the added damage is considered part of the attack itself.
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My houserulings.
I agree. RAW, since you are dealing 3d6+25 necrotic damage with the spell, you should receive half as much back as healing.