The problem some see isn't with hit dice -- it's with other things that recover after a short rest and can be immediately used for benefit and then there should be nothing preventing characters from taking another short rest. The poster child is the Fighter healing ability Second Wind.
So Fighters can recover all hit points without resorting to using hit dice using (multiple) short rests.
With the way it's talking about "your turn" and "Bonus Action" it makes me think Second Wind is a during-combat-only thing and you have to rest before you can use it in combat again.You have a limited well of stamina that you can draw on to protect yourself from harm. On your turn, you can use a bonus action to regain hit points equal to 1d10 + your fighter level.
Once you use this feature, you must finish a short or long rest before you can use it again.
Maybe it's just me but, the way I read Second wind,
it's a during-combat-only thing and you have to rest before you can use it in combat again.
So you get in a fight, use second wind *during* the fight, take a short rest to use a hit dice and recover your Second Wind ability but can't use Second Wind again until you get in your next fight.
That's how I read it, anyways.
So Fighters can recover all hit points without resorting to using hit dice using (multiple) short rests.
Is this ghost of a horse still being flogged?
The only way this would happen is if the DM and all the players want it to happen, in which case who cares? The only thing that needs to be done to 'solve' this terrible problem is if Mr. Fighter says he is taking a second rest the DM says "Ok, your first rest continues for another hour. You do not regain any abilities. Would you like to take a long rest or continue adventuring?"
It's how you read it. Certainly no such limits are placed on the ability.
Would you prevent a Fighter from using it if the combat ended before his next action, but the player claims he was intending to use it?
How about over the next minute as the party discusses what to do next or negotiates who gets what healing "OK Bob, give the cure to the Wizard, I'll use my Second Wind" ?
Would you prevent a Fighter from using it just as he kicks in a door expecting a fight?
Would you limit the heal portion to only damage received this combat? If any answer is no to any of the above then using it out of combat is a natural extension. If the answer is yes to any of the above, the ability is more constrained than written.
Prevented, you are not in combat.Would you prevent a Fighter from using it if the combat ended before his next action, but the player claims he was intending to use it?
Prevented, you are not in combat.How about over the next minute as the party discusses what to do next or negotiates who gets what healing "OK Bob, give the cure to the Wizard, I'll use my Second Wind" ?
Prevented, you are not in combat. (after initiative is rolled, go for it)Would you prevent a Fighter from using it just as he kicks in a door expecting a fight?
No limit, damage is damage.Would you limit the heal portion to only damage received this combat?
As Second Wind is borrowed from 4e and the 4e version states "Once per Encounter: You can use your second
wind once per encounter and can use it again after
you take a short rest or an extended rest." I think the version I stated is close to what was intended.
However, it is indeed subject to interpretation. There may be clarification coming from WOTC. We'll see.
(Borrowing the 4e text, my answers as DM as far as preventing use would be:
Prevented, you are not in combat.
Prevented, you are not in combat.
Prevented, you are not in combat. (after initiative is rolled, go for it)
No limit, damage is damage.
Is it RAW, maybe not. But there ya go.)
Is this ghost of a horse still being flogged?
The only way this would happen is if the DM and all the players want it to happen, in which case who cares? The only thing that needs to be done to 'solve' this terrible problem is if Mr. Fighter says he is taking a second rest the DM says "Ok, your first rest continues for another hour. You do not regain any abilities. Would you like to take a long rest or continue adventuring?"
I thought Encounter powers could be used effectively once per 5 minutes in 4e? Otherwise Fey Step just grew a big new limit...