When I kill things with phantasmal killer spell, I don't get any experience for it. Does anyone know why?

I'm not exactly sure, but I think it's because the char casting the spell doesn't actually make the kill, it would be like playing mp'er, and not being in the same party when a kill is made.

The spell kills things the exact same way a Finger of Death would. At first glance, I don't think it's in the spell script.

Of course, it would help a lot to know which module this occurs in, and if there are any custom settings in place, and if the other spells do give xp, and just what was being killed, etc..

What he ^ said.

Also if you can let us know what patch you are running as well.

Nevermind, ploblem solved. thanks

What was the cause?

I guess you have to get your enemies attention first, actually be in battle with them. If you sneak in invisible or before they notice you, and kill them before they "see" you, you don't get anything.

So that would possibly be because the NPC is running on its resource saving low AI, which does not include running its OnDeath events. Perception of a hostile character would raise the AI level. Well, it's one theory in any case.

On the other hand, a rogue hiding and then performing a sneak attack instantly killing an enemy does, to the best of my knowledge, gain xp as normal. Why would attacking a creature like that up the AI levels when casting a harmful spell would not? Does it hold true for all deathspells cast from invisibility?

Here is something that I've noticed while on a run of playing assassins; the attacked npc will always face you, even if they fail a fortitude save vs paralysis. They become aware of you just before your attack hits, but not before it counts as a death/sneak attack. Based on the AI theory, I'd say that they get just enough perception to raise the lvl.?

Wouldn't the same hold true for spellcasting though? You appear there as well.