Mad idea: taking a level of exhaustion to regain a once-per-long-rest ability?

[robus]

It seems I'm constantly wanting the feel of effort expended when playing this game. Apparently I want the characters to suffer (or at least give that appearance )

It strikes me that it might be cool to allow once per day abilities to be reused if the character suffers a level of exhaustion in the process (perhaps with a Con check to see if it's even possible under the circumstances?). It would be a way for characters to push themselves beyond their limits in exceptional circumstances.

Cool or game-breaking?

 

[Phazonfish]

In what span of time do you regain the ability and take the exhaustion? Over a short rest? As an action? Anytime, no action required?

Can a spell slot be regained in this manner?

Seems kinda strong on characters that don't suffer much from a level of exhaustion. Combo's really well with greater restoration.

Haven't looked at the distribution of long rest abilities, so that probably plays a pretty big role in balancing this.

 

[robus]

The exhaustion can only be recovered from a long rest but the character would have to suffer with the exhaustion effects until the next long rest (unless there was some spell to remove a level of exhaustion)

 

[Klaudius Rex]

i dont think its a good idea to take a level of exhaustion to regain something else.
it doesn't make sense.

However, im considering making exhaustion a more important part of the game. Giving exhaustion levels for all sorts of things like suffering a critical hit, becoming bloodied, going on a chase, and other things upon my prerogative as DM. I may decide to write a post regarding this. (Im also considering new rules regarding wear/tear on arms and armor--magic items included!)

I do worry that it may encourage the group to take even more long rests, but im the type of DM who rolls random encounters during rest times.

 

[Saeviomagy]

Why does recharging my abilities make me thirstier? This is kind of the same flaw with exhaustion and anything that it's used for apart from starvation and thirst.

In general I think that the current exhaustion rules are a shemozzle, and the best thing to do with them is to restrict their usage as much as possible. So I'm afraid I will have to say that any new rule which interacts with them is doomed.

 

[Klaudius Rex]

i dont think its a good idea to take a level of exhaustion to regain something else.
it doesn't make sense.

However, im considering making exhaustion a more important part of the game. Giving exhaustion levels for all sorts of things like suffering a critical hit, becoming bloodied, going on a chase, and other things upon my prerogative as DM. I may decide to write a post regarding this. (Im also considering new rules regarding wear/tear on arms and armor--magic items included!)

I do worry that it may encourage the group to take even more long rests, but im the type of DM who rolls random encounters during rest times.

 

[robus]

i dont think its a good idea to take a level of exhaustion to regain something else.
it doesn't make sense.

However, im considering making exhaustion a more important part of the game. Giving exhaustion levels for all sorts of things like suffering a critical hit, becoming bloodied, going on a chase, and other things upon my prerogative as DM. I may decide to write a post regarding this. (Im also considering new rules regarding wear/tear on arms and armor--magic items included!)

I do worry that it may encourage the group to take even more long rests, but im the type of DM who rolls random encounters during rest times.

I think that is my desire - to make exhaustion more of an option in the game. So a player could risk taking a level of exhaustion in order to accomplish something dramatic. Push themselves to the limit.

I've posted something similar in the past regarding concentration spells where maintaining concentration for an extended period can be exhausting for a character. This is another variation on that I suppose.

 

[robus]

Why does recharging my abilities make me thirstier? This is kind of the same flaw with exhaustion and anything that it's used for apart from starvation and thirst.

In general I think that the current exhaustion rules are a shemozzle, and the best thing to do with them is to restrict their usage as much as possible. So I'm afraid I will have to say that any new rule which interacts with them is doomed.

Yeah if you don't like the exhaustion rules then you'll hate this idea

 

[Mistwell]

I think it would be fine, however I would take a level of exhaustion for each use of the ability. Which yes, it means Disadvantage on Ability Checks for the first use of something which right now doesn't come with any drawback. But looking at the Exhaustion levels, most players won't care much until they hit Exhaustion Level 3 (level 2 is speed is halved). Make every use of the ability a physically exhausting effort which leaves you feeling it's use afterwards. If you want to use it 5 times in a day and risk death, go for it.

 

[LordEntrails]

What about exhaustion for inspiration? A full daily ability seems ... strong.

To add more suffering, I would suggest lingering wounds and maybe a level of exhaustion each time you go unconscious.