D&D 5E (2014) For the Record: Mearls on Warlords (ca. 2013)

[I'm A Banana]

I think that it really depends on the source of the objection.

I object to temp HP healing because the temp HPs will just up and evaporate on their own. However, mitigation achieves the same end as actual healing, and it avoids the evaporating HP scenario.

That said, I do think that any warlord really should have inspirational healing as an option. I have always supported a sidebar with the warlord that tells DMs they can change the healing to temp HPs, and that discusses the effects of making that change.

I'd totally be jivved to see such a thing! Sounds good to me!

 

[MechaPilot]

What is it about THPs that doesn't fit the effect desired? Is it just that it cannot restore an unconscious ally? Because other than that it does everything else the same. In fact, thematically it works better. Because now you are playing to the trope of the motivational character giving the big speech before the battle (or early into it) that pumps his allies up. Gives them something more to fight for. That extra oomph to carry them through the fight.

You are conflating two different fictional speeches. A pre-battle speech is a morale-booster that encourages someone to fight instead of walk away, or to fight bravely despite overwhelming odds. A post-harm speech is more like this.

 

[ChrisCarlson]

You are conflating two different fictional speeches. A pre-battle speech is a morale-booster that encourages someone to fight instead of walk away, or to fight bravely despite overwhelming odds. A post-harm speech is more like this.

I'm not conflating anything. I specifically explained, in multiple ways, why I felt THP was the right way to go for inspirational empowerment. Agree or disagree, but I'd appreciate it if some of you would stop telling me my opinion is wrong. Or that I'm confused. Or that I don't get it. I get what you are saying. I don't like it. I expressed my own opinion of what I'd like better.

 

[MechaPilot]

I'm not conflating anything. I specifically explained, in multiple ways, why I felt THP was the right way to go for inspirational empowerment. Agree or disagree, but I'd appreciate it if some of you would stop telling me my opinion is wrong. Or that I'm confused. Or that I don't get it. I get what you are saying. I don't like it. I expressed my own opinion of what I'd like better.

I'm not telling you that you are confused. I assume that you are saying what you mean to say. And you know what, maybe I picked the wrong word when I used conflate. It's certainly possible. So let me take another stab at answering the question you asked, "what is it about THPs that doesn't fit the desired effect?"

THPs don't fit because inspirational healing is the thematic equivalent of the clip I posted above (reposted here, because who doesn't love Burgess Meredith). If the healing is THPs it creates an incentive to use it to "get it up" before combat over using it to rally an ally who is hurting, and that goes against the very fiction that inspirational healing aims to emulate. An ability that grants THPs will almost always be used by cautious PCs before battle begins, and that changes the very nature of the ability from healing to buffing.

 

[ChrisCarlson]

Are you familiar with the word you used, "conflated"? Anyways...

THPs don't fit because inspirational healing is the thematic equivalent of the clip I posted above (reposted here, because who doesn't love Burgess Meredith). If the healing is THPs it creates an incentive to use it to "get it up" before combat over using it to rally an ally who is hurting, and that goes against the very fiction that inspirational healing aims to emulate. An ability that grants THPs will almost always be used by cautious PCs before battle begins, and that changes the very nature of the ability from healing to buffing.

I disagree. THPs last until they are expended, or a long rest is taken. So no. If, late in a battle, someone is badly wounded and receives this benefit, those THPs will help the now and/or carry through to the next battle. They are functionally the same as any other HP on the PC. The wounded character is still benefiting from them no differently than if it was a cleric healing them. They are farther from 0.

In fact, if anything, using THPs are fundamentally better at emulating inspiration for two big reasons:

1) The inspired individual can also receive actual healing, thus allowing the inspiration to carry through even if they are otherwise healed (or managing to go unscathed in the fight). With healing, the inspiration effectively wears off once the cleric restores them to health. Why did they lose their motivation when the cleric chanted over them? That makes no sense.

2) And because THPs can be used effectively either before or after a battle, as I explained above. If the ability is just plain healing, they are useless in advance of the fight and cannot emulate the much more common trope of pre-battle inspirational speeches.

Therefore, healing is the wrong method going forward. THPs are the only right way to go, IMO. They are much more flexible while still serving the same benefit.

 

[MechaPilot]

In fact, if anything, using THPs are fundamentally better at emulating inspiration for two big reasons:

1) The inspired individual can also receive actual healing, thus allowing the inspiration to carry through even if they are otherwise healed (or managing to go unscathed in the fight). With healing, the inspiration effectively wears off once the cleric restores them to health. Why did they lose their motivation when the cleric chanted over them? That makes no sense.

2) And because THPs can be used effectively either before or after a battle, as I explained above. If the ability is just plain healing, they are useless in advance of the fight and cannot emulate the much more common trope of pre-battle inspirational speeches.

Therefore, healing is the wrong method going forward. THPs are the only right way to go, IMO. They are much more flexible while still serving the same benefit.

1) Who says the inspired individual loses their inspiration when they get healed? Do they suddenly lose the HPs that were restored by the inspiration? No. Instead, the magic simply restores the rest of the unrestored HPs.

2) Common has nothing to do with it, concept is key. Inspirational healing aims to recreate the rallying of a harmed ally back into the fight. THP granting abilities encourage players to use those abilities in a manner inconsistent with the aim of inspirational healing. That fact alone proves that THPs fit with inspirational buffing and not inspirational healing. Now, I'm not against having inspirational buffing abilities. They are thematic of the pre-battle speech seen in fiction. However, an inspirational buff simply is not healing, it's a buff.

 

[Bawylie]

Easy fix. Double THP granted if recipient is at less than half health.

 

[ChrisCarlson]

1) Who says the inspired individual loses their inspiration when they get healed? Do they suddenly lose the HPs that were restored by the inspiration? No. Instead, the magic simply restores the rest of the unrestored HPs.

Exactly. Where does it go? No saying. The healing the warlord gave has been superseded by the cleric. So now the recipient is at full. Where is the inspiration they are supposed to be mechanically benefiting from? It's gone. They are just a guy sitting around at full HPs.

2) Common has nothing to do with it, concept is key. Inspirational healing aims to recreate the rallying of a harmed ally back into the fight.

Says you. Plenty of people around here disagree. Even some who really want a warlord. Besides, THPs do that too.

THP granting abilities encourage players to use those abilities in a manner inconsistent with the aim of inspirational healing.

Your aim. Not the aim. And as has already been explained by several people, THPs still benefit someone who is injured, or near the end of a fight. Just as much as real healing would. A HP is a HP. Whether it is a T or not. And again, as a THP mechanic, those inspirational words can linger and fuel the character's drive and determination even after the cleric comes by and replenishes their life meter. Unlike you proposed HP mechanic.

That fact alone proves that THPs fit with inspirational buffing and not inspirational healing.

Proven otherwise. You are incorrect. You would have been correct if we were talking 3e or 4e, where THPs are on a timer. But in 5e, once again, THPs last until expended or a long rest. Same for any other healing effect. So they are the same. THPs are actually better. And more appropriate for emulating this proposed effect.

Now, I'm not against having inspirational buffing abilities. They are thematic of the pre-battle speech seen in fiction. However, an inspirational buff simply is not healing, it's a buff.

The beauty of using THPs is that the one proposed class feature could serve perfectly for both tropes. Equally well. Better even. Which is a win.

 

[Azzy]

Are you familiar with the word you used, "conflated"? Anyways...


I disagree.

That's nice, and others disagree with your disagreement. Now that we've cleared that up, shall we move on to something more constructive?

 

[mellored]

My issue with inspirational THP is that it doesn't stack. And WotC already cut out that part of the warlord and made it into a feat that's clearly named "inspiring leader".

Thus, IMO, just give warlords a bonus feat. Those who like the idea can take it, those who don't can skip it.