[Alneyan]

PDF => The Blood Thorn has kept the same cost, but the stats of the weapon itself were slightly nerfed. It became a 0 damage no strength added weapon... in other words, it isn't a weapon any longer.

Dimaz => I am not sure if my explanation is the reason why Zen made the change. I am not arguing for or against the change though, but merely explaining a possible rationale for it. The Fire Helmet is a bit different however, as it requires Fire 1 and Death 1, and not Fire 1 alone, so it is harder to raise Fire than Water.

CUnknown => Another problem with the current lifedraining weapons is that they will have a very tough time doing any real damage, as protections around 30 can be obtained without too much difficulty. To overcome a protection of 30, you will need a creature with a strength of 40 (before the 2d6oe dice kick in), and those aren't exactly the most common thing in the game.

I know I would much rather go the Gatebreaker way, a mighty weapon dealing 29 armour-negating damage and adding strength. That thing can kill in a single blow, and its cost is more or less on par with the new lifestealing weapons, and it helps a lot in sieges. The Soul Vortex body armour is likely a much better choice too, but only of use when facing a horde of units (where other choices are available).