Fast Healing stackable?

[jontherev]

Hello,

If you gain Fast Healing from multiple sources (specifically, let's say the Unholy Scion template and the Evolved Undead template), do they stack? These are from Heroes of Horror and Libris Mortis. The Evolved Undead template I know stacks with itself, as it specifically says so in the description, but I'm wondering about how or if it stacks with other templates or class/racial Fast Healing abilities.

 

[kreynolds]

Interesting question. The 3.0 style templates used to be pretty clear about this, stating things like "If the creature already possesses fast healing, use whichever is better.", but I've noticed that the new templates do not use this wording.

 

[Darklone]

Similar question about two dragon shaman auras... FAQ says IIRC they don't stack, yet I don't have a problem with it so far.

Fast Healing isn't something you get so easily, so it's easy to R0 for the DM.

 

[kreynolds]

Yeah, I've worked with fast healing on players for years at this point, and it really has not been a problem for me. Fast healing 5 in combat really is not that bad for me. At levels 20+, healing 5 points of damage per round is generally nowhere near close enough to saving your hide. The greatest boon from it comes in between fights. I've allowed multiple sources to stack. If I need to take into account a CR/LA increase, I do it on the back end.

 

[jontherev]

I wouldn't allow the same two dragon shaman auras to stack (and I happen to have 1 in my game). I see that as being the same thing as casting the same spell, like Haste, and allowing that to stack. It may be an unnamed bonus, but it is from the same source.

The Evolved Undead template is unique, in that it can be applied multiple times to the same creature, and therefore specifically says in the description that it stacks with itself...otherwise, it wouldn't make sense to apply it more than once.

The Double Draconic Aura feat (or whatever it's called) is definitely useful enough without allowing the same auras to stack. YMMV.

 

[Darklone]

I wouldn't allow the same two dragon shaman auras to stack (and I happen to have 1 in my game). I see that as being the same thing as casting the same spell, like Haste, and allowing that to stack. It may be an unnamed bonus, but it is from the same source.

I don't allow the other auras to stack, just the healing.

 

[jontherev]

I don't allow the other auras to stack, just the healing.

Hmm, and you don't have any problems with this? I can't recall off hand what the FH rate is on those auras...what is it FH 2? For a total of FH 4? I'm just a little leery of allowing the whole party to have double fast healing. Compounding the problem for my campaign is that the dragon shaman has a helmet that gives him all sorts of benefits too, so he has more feats and abilities than the typical DS has. I'll have to think about that one. At higher levels, FH 4 probably won't do much...it's just good to lick wounds afterwards.

 

[Crothian]

I can't recall off hand what the FH rate is on those auras...what is it FH 2?

Depends on the Dragon Shaman's level. It starts out as one and then at 5, 10, 15, 20 it increases by one.

 

[Darklone]

Hmm, and you don't have any problems with this? I can't recall off hand what the FH rate is on those auras...what is it FH 2? For a total of FH 4? I'm just a little leery of allowing the whole party to have double fast healing. Compounding the problem for my campaign is that the dragon shaman has a helmet that gives him all sorts of benefits too, so he has more feats and abilities than the typical DS has. I'll have to think about that one. At higher levels, FH 4 probably won't do much...it's just good to lick wounds afterwards.

It's not a problem at all. Taking the DR auras will usually avoid more damage and the upper limit of half hitpoints to the healing makes stacking both auras pretty useless except for some rare moments.

Usually in my fights not all players get wounded below hitpoints, but just two or three. Then most combats last 3-5 rounds, e.g. up to 10 hitpoints healed under best circumstances at low levels. That's negligible for a tank and a rogue or wizard that loses 10 hitpoints while being under half hitpoints total has other issues.