Extended "disabled" status

[MerakSpielman]

I've just proposed a house-rule to my group.

My proposal is to extend the range of the "disabled" status. Normally a character is disabled only at exactly zero hp, which always seemed a bit odd to me. So I'm suggesting extending "disabled" to a negative number of hit points equal to the level of the character.

So, for instance, a 5th level character would be disabled if his hit points were anywhere from zero to -5. A 20th level character would still be disabled at -20 hp.

They still only get 10 hp of "dying" time though. So a 5th level character would be dead at -15, for instance.

This rule also applies to monsters (using hit dice) and NPCs.

All rules for "disabled" still apply. Doing anything other than a simple move action causes the character to lose one hit point. Characters now have more time, though, to cast a few more spells, fight for a few more rounds, and more options for staying conscious long enough to recieve healing.

Any thoughts? I know it will make combat less lethal, but it should still be dangerous, especially as the damage potential of monsters increases at higher levels...

 

[Staffan]

I've house-ruled in the disabled/dying rules from Arcana Unearthed/Evolved: you're disabled from 0 to your negative Con bonus, and then you're dying until you hit negative Con. Not quite as generous as yours though.

 

[harmyn]

My rule is negative HP equal to Con modifier +1 (minimum range of 0 to -1) and death occurs at damage equal to Negative Con. People don't die as much, and characters can get more actions in. Everyone seems to love it.

As an example a PC got into a duel with his arch-enemy at the side of the river. In the end the PC was struck down to disabled and was able to return the same kind of blow to the baddie. Another round of combat between two men who were both effectively dying but filled with too much hatred for one another to stop. PC collapsed first. NPC not trusting his almost gone strength spent his last act to roll the PC over the riverbank and into the river. Both fell unconscious. On an even/odd roll the PC ended up butterside up in the river and so didn't die. Made the stablization check with only 2 rounds left before certain death.

Gave the game a more heroic/movie feel. I recommend something to extend it out a little.

 

[Viktyr Gehrig]

Gave the game a more heroic/movie feel. I recommend something to extend it out a little.

That. Is. HOT.