diff --git a/doc/fixes37.0 b/doc/fixes37.0
index 7956836bc..3c82aaf5d 100644
--- a/doc/fixes37.0
+++ b/doc/fixes37.0
@@ -521,6 +521,7 @@ prediscovered weapons adjustmens:  only knights and samurai know polearms;
 	of their race/species; likewise, rogues know all daggers
 if the move counter ever reaches 1000000000, end the game
 knights get no metal armor penalty for clerical spells
+change touch of death from instadeath to maxhp reduction and damage
 
 
 Fixes to 3.7.0-x Problems that Were Exposed Via git Repository
diff --git a/include/extern.h b/include/extern.h
index 230948f51..5956b547d 100644
--- a/include/extern.h
+++ b/include/extern.h
@@ -1171,6 +1171,7 @@ extern boolean usmellmon(struct permonst *);
 /* ### mcastu.c ### */
 
 extern int castmu(struct monst *, struct attack *, boolean, boolean);
+extern void touch_of_death(void);
 extern int buzzmu(struct monst *, struct attack *);
 
 /* ### mdlib.c ### */
diff --git a/src/mcastu.c b/src/mcastu.c
index 829a2dee1..76a53fd2f 100644
--- a/src/mcastu.c
+++ b/src/mcastu.c
@@ -346,6 +346,24 @@ m_cure_self(struct monst *mtmp, int dmg)
     return dmg;
 }
 
+void
+touch_of_death(void)
+{
+    int dmg = 50 + d(8, 6);
+    int drain = dmg / 2;
+
+    You_feel("drained...");
+
+    if (drain >= u.uhpmax) {
+        g.killer.format = KILLED_BY_AN;
+        Strcpy(g.killer.name, "touch of death");
+        done(DIED);
+    } else {
+        u.uhpmax -= drain;
+        losehp(dmg, "touch of death", KILLED_BY_AN);
+    }
+}
+
 /* monster wizard and cleric spellcasting functions */
 /*
    If dmg is zero, then the monster is not casting at you.
@@ -373,9 +391,7 @@ cast_wizard_spell(struct monst *mtmp, int dmg, int spellnum)
             if (Hallucination) {
                 You("have an out of body experience.");
             } else {
-                g.killer.format = KILLED_BY_AN;
-                Strcpy(g.killer.name, "touch of death");
-                done(DIED);
+                touch_of_death();
             }
         } else {
             if (Antimagic) {
diff --git a/src/uhitm.c b/src/uhitm.c
index b93796306..36518c71f 100644
--- a/src/uhitm.c
+++ b/src/uhitm.c
@@ -3209,9 +3209,7 @@ mhitm_ad_deth(struct monst *magr, struct attack *mattk UNUSED,
         case 18:
         case 17:
             if (!Antimagic) {
-                g.killer.format = KILLED_BY_AN;
-                Strcpy(g.killer.name, "touch of death");
-                done(DIED);
+                touch_of_death();
                 mhm->damage = 0;
                 return;
             }