Can a dying PC be force fed a heal potion?

[caudor]

I've often wondered about this...

A PC is hit and drops with -2 HP. Can a unconscious person swallow? Can a heal potion be poured down the dying PC's throat?

Or ... can it be poured into a open wound or vein and have an effect?

 

[Hypersmurf]

"A character can carefully administer a potion to an unconscious creature as a full-round action, trickling the liquid down the creature’s throat. Likewise, it takes a full-round action to apply an oil to an unconscious creature."

-Hyp.

 

[caudor]

[caudor bows before Hypersmurf]

Once again, you have readied a lightning fast answer. Thanks!

 

[rushlight]

In regard to Healing potions, I've extended their use. Basically, I've re-imagined them to be more like bottles of concentrated positive energy, rather than strictly a dose of medicine.

That small change has had some interesting, and often odd side-effects. Instead of solely drinking them, an application poured on fuctions as the spell. Of course, you still need a full dose for effect. Given that it's positive energy, a healing potion tossed at an undead causes damage as if the spell had been cast on the undead. This has led to some interesting battles, since my campaign is currently centered around PCs vs. vampires! Granted, it's not the most effecient method of fighting off undead, (and at around 300 gp per *attack* it gets pricey FAST) it IS effective! You still need those touch attacks (ranged in this case, but not much different than casting the spell directly).

On the flip side of this, the PCs are expecting to see some evil clerics tossing Inflict Wound bottles around soon. >: )

Last, the PCs haven't landed on the idea of ranged healing yet - accomplished by throwing healing potions AT rather than TO friends. I wonder how long it will take before they figure that out?

 

[Infiniti2000]

Last, the PCs haven't landed on the idea of ranged healing yet - accomplished by throwing healing potions AT rather than TO friends. I wonder how long it will take before they figure that out?

Exactly. Your houserule completely invalidates Hyp's rules quote. That might not be a bad thing, though, so let us know how it works out. It's also dangerous because you might miss and your comrade, who is prone while unconcious, has +4 to AC versus your ranged attack (though -5 due to Dex 0).

One side comment about giving a potion to an unconscious character is that frequently it will occur via two standard actions instead of one full round action. The reason is because you either have to pull out the potion or move to your comrade. Anyway, in such a case you'll have to decide if the target of the potion loses a hit point while you're dribbling the potion. Technically, by the rules, he does. I've houseruled against that because I've actually had this happen while the target was at -9 and I like to avoid PC deaths when it's reasonable otherwise (I mean, c'mon he was in the middle of getting the potion!)

 

[The_Universe]

I used to do that in D&D, as well. As far as I can recall, it did no noticable damage to game balance or fairness.

However, I did include a small penalty. Between the impact of the bottle and the shards of glass, I ruled that while the topical application of the potion *would* heal the stated number of hitpoints, the impact would first do 1d4+str bonus damage, just like any other thrown weapon.

So, if your buddy is at -9, you probably need to administer the potion a little more carefully....

 

[rushlight]

Exactly. Your houserule completely invalidates Hyp's rules quote. That might not be a bad thing, though, so let us know how it works out. It's also dangerous because you might miss and your comrade, who is prone while unconcious, has +4 to AC versus your ranged attack (though -5 due to Dex 0).

So far, they've only resorted to it in extreme circumstances. Like when the party of 6 4th level characters inadvertantly faced off with a CR 7 vampire. It didn't kill him, but it hurt him enough to leave the party alone for a while. Enough time for them to make tracks! Of course, that battle set them back about 3000 gp - and since the monster fled, they got nada. But they did keep their necks!

 

[werk]

I like the new, smaller potions. I envision them as being about a shot of liquid, in thick little vials like perfume. It makes it much more believeable to me, as opposed to the 'gauntlet'style, big, sloshy potions rattling around in a backpack, but may make it hard to apply ranged as you describe...which I don't allow. My favorite potion house-rule is that I use food-as-potions.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Is there a feat somewhere that speeds up potion drinking to, say, a move action? Quick Quaffer? Then, you could have a feat chain that allowed you to drink two potions at once at, say, a full round action. Double Drinker.

 

[melkorspawn]

Then, you could have a feat chain that allowed you to drink two potions at once at, say, a full round action. Double Drinker.

For s&g, I'd prefer 'Big Gulp'.