Actually, the Big Self Makeover is kind of a dodge that can get you out of a tight squeeze on occasion. Usually a properly cast death spell will indeed kill or seriously injure its victim, but since nearly all magic depends on targeting, your target could make a fundamental change in himself and therefore not technically be the same person you originally targeted.
It's a sloppy dodge, but I've seen it work more than once. Often a curse will begin affecting its victim who, as a direct result of the ensuing hardships, must make a fundamental life change.