Arial Black
Adventurer
We are getting closer here.
I was never commenting on a DMG option that I've never used, just on the rule in the PHB.
There is also the question of what hit points actually are, and what damage represents. Although we think of hit points as meat, they also represent bumps and bruises, and also short term fatigue, like running out of breath. Hence, the Second Wind ability, and short rests letting you get your breath back without needing bandages.
What kind of bandages does a warlock need to regain his Pact Magic slots? What conversation does a druid need to regain his shape change? What food must a monk eat to regain his Ki? What does the battlemaster drink to regain his Superiority dice?
Even forgetting the very real and normal idea that you can talk and snack on the move without requiring a formal declaration of 'meal time', the class abilities are refreshed after 1 hour without stressful activity; nothing else is required. It's like 'getting your breath back' is what refreshes Pact Magic, Ki, Superiority dice, etc.
Unless you're using the gritty option, where you do. If you're using the option that requires you to spend a charge from your medkit in order to recover with Hit Dice, then you need to actually do that at some point before you can gain the benefit of having done so. Likewise, with the wizard's ability to study from their spell book in order to regain spell slots during a short rest. Suggesting that someone could gain the benefit of having performed a task without having actually performed that task would be ridiculous, regardless of how you choose to misinterpret the words on the page.
I was never commenting on a DMG option that I've never used, just on the rule in the PHB.
There is also the question of what hit points actually are, and what damage represents. Although we think of hit points as meat, they also represent bumps and bruises, and also short term fatigue, like running out of breath. Hence, the Second Wind ability, and short rests letting you get your breath back without needing bandages.
Of course, there are other abilities which don't require you to take any special action to recover. I think ki might work that way (although I don't have a book with me, to check). Warlock spell slots are another possibility. If the DM describes damage as mostly being fatigue or luck, and you aren't using the medkit rule, then you could potentially say that spending Hit Dice is just something that happens naturally while you're resting. In that case, DM discretion applies.
What kind of bandages does a warlock need to regain his Pact Magic slots? What conversation does a druid need to regain his shape change? What food must a monk eat to regain his Ki? What does the battlemaster drink to regain his Superiority dice?
Even forgetting the very real and normal idea that you can talk and snack on the move without requiring a formal declaration of 'meal time', the class abilities are refreshed after 1 hour without stressful activity; nothing else is required. It's like 'getting your breath back' is what refreshes Pact Magic, Ki, Superiority dice, etc.