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<blockquote data-quote="CapnZapp" data-source="post: 6816854" data-attributes="member: 12731"><p>Oh, one more thing concerning the "CR 9 killing a PC per round". With the temporary hit points from Inspired Leader, and players actively trying to avoid low-AC builds, and the very generous not-killed-at-zero-hp mechanism, that simply isn't true. </p><p></p><p>Sure, there is a risk of downing a PC, but it's definitely not a given when PCs sport an AC in the 17-19 range.</p><p></p><p>And downing a PC is definitely not equal to killing him. I won't have regular foes focus their attacks on killing off downed heroes, not when there are actively dangerous foes still close by. </p><p></p><p>That doesn't mean downing can't become killing in the future. Any time soon one of the following can happen:</p><p></p><p>a) the downed PC does not have any allies close by. At this time, even a feeble monster can quickly kill off the strongest of PC. Moral lesson: never split the party.</p><p>b) they can meet especially evil-cruel foes, that rather kill PCs than win fights. For me, just being a drow or even a demon doesn't qualify. We're talking legendarily hate-worthy NPCs here.</p><p>c) they encounter foes with plentiful access to area spells. I expect this to become more common now that they are well clear of tier 1 play.</p><p></p><p>I should add I'm using a houserule that says negative hit points are tracked down to -10. This means that a downed ally can't be trivally upped again by a cheap Healing Word. I like this rule, it works well to soften the impact I'm otherwise talking about in this thread - it makes the PCs somewhat less superior to the listed opposition.</p><p></p><p>And sure enough, one of the two characters that went down had to stay down (until after-combat healing). (At least I think so, can't be absolutely sure). My players pour a potion of healing down their throats to ensure survival (stabilization) but that isn't guaranteed to bring them up to positive hits. This strategy might not be enough if there's a fireballer on the opposite side.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="CapnZapp, post: 6816854, member: 12731"] Oh, one more thing concerning the "CR 9 killing a PC per round". With the temporary hit points from Inspired Leader, and players actively trying to avoid low-AC builds, and the very generous not-killed-at-zero-hp mechanism, that simply isn't true. Sure, there is a risk of downing a PC, but it's definitely not a given when PCs sport an AC in the 17-19 range. And downing a PC is definitely not equal to killing him. I won't have regular foes focus their attacks on killing off downed heroes, not when there are actively dangerous foes still close by. That doesn't mean downing can't become killing in the future. Any time soon one of the following can happen: a) the downed PC does not have any allies close by. At this time, even a feeble monster can quickly kill off the strongest of PC. Moral lesson: never split the party. b) they can meet especially evil-cruel foes, that rather kill PCs than win fights. For me, just being a drow or even a demon doesn't qualify. We're talking legendarily hate-worthy NPCs here. c) they encounter foes with plentiful access to area spells. I expect this to become more common now that they are well clear of tier 1 play. I should add I'm using a houserule that says negative hit points are tracked down to -10. This means that a downed ally can't be trivally upped again by a cheap Healing Word. I like this rule, it works well to soften the impact I'm otherwise talking about in this thread - it makes the PCs somewhat less superior to the listed opposition. And sure enough, one of the two characters that went down had to stay down (until after-combat healing). (At least I think so, can't be absolutely sure). My players pour a potion of healing down their throats to ensure survival (stabilization) but that isn't guaranteed to bring them up to positive hits. This strategy might not be enough if there's a fireballer on the opposite side. [/QUOTE]
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