D&D 5E What are the Roles now?

[Eric V]

And if it gave temp HP, it would be perfect. But since it permanently removes all mechanical effects of the injury, it changes the system in a very unsatisfying manner.

But unless you are using the optional critical hit rules, in Dungeons and Dragons there are no mechanical effects of injury, are there (besides the obvious hp loss)?

Edit: Ok, that's exactly what you were referring to.

 

[BryonD]

But unless you are using the optional critical hit rules, in Dungeons and Dragons there are no mechanical effects of injury, are there (besides the obvious hp loss)?

Again: two answers: (1) HP lose IS a mechanical effect and (2) If you are playing the game in a way that mechanics of HP don't interplay with the narrative, then IMO, you are missing out on a lot.

 

[Eric V]

Again: two answers: (1) HP lose IS a mechanical effect and (2) If you are playing the game in a way that mechanics of HP don't interplay with the narrative, then IMO, you are missing out on a lot.

For 2) I'm pretty sure every table does...but it may not be the way you do it? E.g. Based on the definition of hit points in the rulebooks, it's a perfectly legit interpretation that a pc reduced to 1/4 her hp will have a nice accumulation of nicks and scratches that, in her exhausted state, are contributing to her wear-down, but after finally resting up and wrapping them with a tight cloth, she is ready to rock and roll again. That's an interplay we see in tons of heroic fiction all the time, no?

 

[BryonD]

For 2) I'm pretty sure every table does...but it may not be the way you do it? E.g. Based on the definition of hit points in the rulebooks, it's a perfectly legit interpretation that a pc reduced to 1/4 her hp will have a nice accumulation of nicks and scratches that, in her exhausted state, are contributing to her wear-down, but after finally resting up and wrapping them with a tight cloth, she is ready to rock and roll again. That's an interplay we see in tons of heroic fiction all the time, no?

I don't agree with the "we see in tons of heroic fiction" part.
Yes, you do see the narrative you describe. (again GMforPowerGamers example was "beaten and down", it was not "nicked and scratched") But in mechanical terms when you start talking about being at 1/4 HP, I don't see that as being captured by the nicked and scratched part of the narrative. I see that as the "beaten down, in danger of getting outright killed, and needing some true serious recovery.
In my game we have BOTH in play. A character down 10% of HP covers the narrative part you describe and a character down 75 - 95% is in the part I describe.

I have no issue with you choosing whatever you like. But if losing 95% of HP is just nicks and scratches then by your own words your game is missing out on the beaten down portion of the narrative. Maybe you simply don't miss it. That is cool. But a lot of us find that unsatisfying. We want BOTH. And we can have both.

 

[Hussar]

Are hp now the d&d version of Godwinning a thread? Pretty soon we'll have the trifecta and talk about damage on a miss.

Leave that poor horse alone.

 

[Nergal Pendragon]

Are hp now the d&d version of Godwinning a thread? Pretty soon we'll have the trifecta and talk about damage on a miss.

Leave that poor horse alone.

Sorry. We're trying to make an edible version of Spam and the horse just isn't tender enough yet.

 

[Eric V]

A character down 10% of HP covers the narrative part you describe and a character down 75 - 95% is in the part I describe.

So what does the latter character do, then?

 

[BryonD]

So what does the latter character do, then?

Finds healing, either through magic or the heroic fiction trope of several days recovery.

 

[Eric V]

Finds healing, either through magic or the heroic fiction trope of several days recovery.

I see.

 

[Hussar]

Finds healing, either through magic or the heroic fiction trope of several days recovery.

Three is a definition of several that I was unaware of. Thank you. 10th level fighter in 3e heals 40 HP/day with a DC 15 heal check (at 10th level, pretty much automatic). So, two days of bedrest and one day of light activity and he's completely healed.

Sounds like a hangover to me. Certainly doesn't sound like I've taken serious wounds. Heck, even with just bedrest, I'm still healed in under a week. Bad bout of the flu. Minor sprain maybe?

I guess those are serious, narrative valuable wounds in your game.

This point has been beaten to death BryonD. Accept it that you are mistaken here. 5e and 4e flat out contradict you explicitly. 3e contradicts you. AD&D had slower healing rates, true, but, we're almost twenty years after that.