Dying

[sheadunne]

I'm changing the dying rules (negative HP = unconscious and dying) to giving the character the staggered condition (this is PC side only, monsters die at 0 for the most part). I'll probably change diehard to remove the staggered condition.

What I'm not sure about is whether to keep the -1 per a round or not. I'm more interested in the change for meta reasons than for simulation (I don't like the players sitting around not involved). I thought about adding in Fort saves every round or falling unconscious but that seems an unnecessary step. I want to keep things as simple as possible.

What are your thoughts, -1 hp per a round or not? Are there feats/abilities/spells I'm missing that would impact this dramatically?

 

[GMMichael]

I'm changing the dying rules (negative HP = unconscious and dying) to giving the character the staggered condition . . . What are your thoughts, -1 hp per a round or not? Are there feats/abilities/spells I'm missing that would impact this dramatically?

Try a different perspective:

You're effectively giving each character X more hit points, and then giving them the dreaded "death spiral" when they reach the staggered threshold. Just give them "shaken" when they hit half hit points, and if they complain, give them a limit break for each hit die they have.

While I'm at it...

That's what negative hit points rules actually do; they just move "zero" back a little farther. And everyone who hates dying penalties is somehow appeased because your dying-range is called "negative." Go figure.

 

[sheadunne]

Try a different perspective:

You're effectively giving each character X more hit points, and then giving them the dreaded "death spiral" when they reach the staggered threshold. Just give them "shaken" when they hit half hit points, and if they complain, give them a limit break for each hit die they have.

While I'm at it...

That's what negative hit points rules actually do; they just move "zero" back a little farther. And everyone who hates dying penalties is somehow appeased because your dying-range is called "negative." Go figure.

I agree. I actually though about just giving more HP and getting rid of negative HP all together. But it seems my players are used to negative HP. Oh well.

Maybe I'll create some soul leaving the body rules and when you reach 0 you can still interact with the world by using the Aid Another Action lol