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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Burnside" data-source="post: 8157131" data-attributes="member: 6910340">Attacking PCs while they are down (which I do as well when it makes sense) does not discourage whack-a-mole healing. If anything, it encourages it.For example: if I figure the monster is going to attack a downed ally, my bard pretty much HAS TO cast healing word on the downed character to prevent that character from getting two auto failed death saves and/or possible dying. Yes, the character is probably going to get immediately knocked out again, but that's fine - they are alive. If I hadn't momentarily revived them, they'd be dead.If I'm a mid-level bard I have the level 1 slots to keep that game up for like 4 rounds:1. Monster hits my ally and knocks them out2. I revive the ally and hit the monster with vicious mockery3. Ally is up, either tries to disengage or kill the monster4. Monster hits my ally and knocks them out5. I revive the ally and hit the monster with vicious mockeryWash, rinse, repeatOR1. Monster hits my ally and knocks them out2. Ally makes their first death saving throw3. I revive the ally and hit the monster with vicious mockery4. Monster hits my ally and knocks them out5. Ally makes their first death saving throw6. I revive the ally and hit the monster with vicious mockeryWash, rinse, repeatStrategically, it works. After four rounds of that, one of two things will happen:A. The monster dies or flees because I wear it down with vicious mockery and/or my ally hits it during one of their brief moments of consciousnessB. The monster finally whiffs on the ally and the ally is able to retreat to safety during one of their brief moments of consciousnessThe monster (depending on how bright it is) spends up to four consecutive rounds trying with variable success to accomplish the dubious goal of making my ally roll one death save. A smart monster will figure out what's going on and probably turn their attention to me - but in that case my whack-a-mole strategy has still succeeded in the intended goal of keeping my ally from dying.The strategy of "keep healing them so they don't get knocked down in the first place", generally speaking, doesn't work in 5E because healing magic simply can't keep pace with damage in that way. Unless you are only running one or two encounters and then allowing a long rest.</blockquote>

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