For the purposes of the death ward spell, what qualifies as a death spell or a magical death effect? I can see a few possibilities:
1) Only spells or magical effects with the [death] descriptor.
2) Any spell or magical effect which directly causes death, including a beholder's disintegration ray, the implosion spell, and the like.
3) Any spell or magical effect which results in death by a means other than hit point loss, including a maximized 10th-level fireball which necessitates a save vs. massive damage, a vampire's level drain, and the like.
The spell's text is as follows:
"The subject is immune to all death spells and magical death effects. The spell does not protect against other sorts of attacks, such as hit point loss, poison, petrification, or other effects even if they might be lethal."
Thanks for your help with this!
Daniel
Only spells with the death descriptor are death effects. Death is basically a side-effect of examples 2 and 3 from your question.
Hope that helps,
CS
你们快停.