D&D (2024) Life drain needs to be replaced with Exhaustion

[jasper]

Yeah, 2 levels on a vampire bite is a lot. I would stick to 1. But the death spiral effect does kind of imitate the feel of level drain in a way that the reduction of maximum hit points doesn’t.

And I remember sucking dry some pcs back in 1E.

 

[Leatherhead]

Obligatory: This is why getting rid of 3E's ability score drain was a bad idea. It's more granular than level drain, more nuanced (you can have monsters that drain different thing) and while it's more dangerous than just knocking off hit points, it's not as much of a death march as imparting levels of exhaustion is.

I still morn the fact that the Condition Track from SW:SE was never ported into D&D like people were speculating before 4E hit.

For those who don't know: It's like the exhaustion track, but it also replaces status conditions and non-lethal damage.

 

[TorgoTheWhite]

I love how they do exhaustion now

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

What is the current exhaustion rule in 2024?

 

[SkidAce]

I still morn the fact that the Condition Track from SW:SE was never ported into D&D like people were speculating before 4E hit.

For those who don't know: It's like the exhaustion track, but it also replaces status conditions and non-lethal damage.

For reference

Conditions

See also: Character Combat Certain debilitating attacks reduce one's combat effectiveness instead of one's Hit Points. Examples include a Stun Grenade blast, a Forced March, a paralyzing venom, or long-term exposure to extreme temperatures. Multiple Conditions have cumulative effects and can...

swse.fandom.com

 

[SkidAce]

I really like the "anytime a condition is persistent, you cannot recover hp from natural healing"

Not a problem for PCs per se, but NPCs with a "wound" would have lingering injuries, which is semi-realistic (ish).

 

[TorgoTheWhite]

What is the current exhaustion rule in 2024?

All d20 rolls are - 2× exhaustion level . Speed reduced 5x exhaustion levels. Hollistically punishing, mechanically right, short & sweet. Really fun to put on an NPC weapon on a VTT. Makes the party rest situation really matter

 

[Distracted DM]

What is the current exhaustion rule in 2024?

I appreciate the question, because I wasn't sure where it ended up either after knowing about the playtest 10-level version.

Exhaustion [Condition]​

While you have the Exhaustion condition, you experience the following effects.

Exhaustion Levels. This condition is cumulative. Each time you receive it, you gain 1 Exhaustion level. You die if your Exhaustion level is 6.

D20 Tests Affected. When you make a D20 Test, the roll is reduced by 2 times your Exhaustion level.

Speed Reduced. Your Speed is reduced by a number of feet equal to 5 times your Exhaustion level.

Removing Exhaustion Levels. Finishing a Long Rest removes 1 of your Exhaustion levels. When your Exhaustion level reaches 0, the condition ends.

 

[Matrix Sorcica]

I've seen and since used hit dice drain. Target must spend 1 or 2 hit dice. If unable, immidiately reduced to zero hit points. Really, really put the fear into the hearts of my players

 

[ezo]

I've seen and since used hit dice drain. Target must spend 1 or 2 hit dice. If unable, immidiately reduced to zero hit points. Really, really put the fear into the hearts of my players

I like the idea of coupling this with the old drain in HP maximum. Make the loss of HP maximum and HD permanent (a la level drain) but you don't lose XP or any other class features.

The HD (and HP maximum) can be recovered via a greater restoration spell, etc.