[MaxWilson]

After seeing one battle where the Shadow Brand, in the hand of a minor thug (Tomb Oracle), functioned about half of the time, my tentative conclusion is that the Leeching Darkness ability is under the control of the wielder, and the wielder uses it only when the combat AI determines that friendly fire casualties will be minimal. For instance, he usually didn't use it when surrounded by bodyguards, but when surrounded mostly by enemies on one side he did.

I suppose it's a good thing he's so careful.

-Max