No. The spectre exists simultaneously on the negative plane and the prime, it’s the contact with the negative plane that drains the levels, so unless the sword were specifically designed to drain, then it would just do normal damage. If you’d like an example as precedence, I believe it is stated, or implied, in the description that Drelnza the vampire BBG at the end of S4 does not drain levels when using her magic sword to fight.
Thanks, that's exactly how I ruled it in my game. My players faced the sword wielding spectres in the Cairn of the Skeleton King and needed some serious healing afterwards. I don't think they realized how fortunate they were to walk away with their levels intact :twisted: .
It's a nasty ability. I had a party get surprised from the rear by a spectre and a few wraiths. It was ugly. not a TPK, but it was close.
