Nihilus' technique I believe did show actual destruction on the planet as seen in Unheard, Unseen I believe it was(it's a short comic about Nihilus killing Katar). Also, it is definately not a drain. Nihilus' Force Killer(my little nickname for it) does indeed create Force Bonds with it, then violently severs them causing death on a massive or small(he was able to focus it directly at the Exile) and feeds on the death he causes. The death fuels his attachment to the Darkside or sumthin and makes himstronger for a time. The action of doing the move is also very fast, Nihilus need only speak to do it.
Originally posted by Darth SexyActually, his speech and presence cause pain to everything around him, however he can control the technique. Ask Nikkolas to get the quote saying Nihilus spoke to do it. And Gideon, Nihilus' Force Killer is not a drain, read above posts for my explanation on why not, and he can also control it, as shown when trying to drain the Exile he can focus it on individuals as well.
If he just had to "Speak" to do it, everything around him would be dead. Yet we see Kreia, Sion, Nihilus dark side troopers, etc. Therefore he doesn't kill anything just by talking.
Thanks Nik, Nihilus' Force Killer as shown in that comic, is done by hearing Nihilus' voice, but he probably has to want to actually do the move or they won't be killed(they will be injured tho). Also, when performed on a planet, you clearly see destruction actually taking place on the surface of the planet, and the planet appears to be being consumed by something.
Originally posted by Darth SexyObviously he can control it, but he does use Force Killer to a degree while having normal conversations(if you can call it that). Also, think about this, he must be speaking pretty damn loud for all of Katar to hear him, so my guess is he says something and has it echo throughout the planet(Kreia says that wounds in the Force like Exile and Nihilus cause echos in the Force after all), creating bonds and severing them as they hear it, which kills them.
Some of you guys take everything too literally. Again, he obviously used his technique as he spoke, because if everything died when he uttered a sound, none of the events in KOTOR would have happened.