Wik
First Post
Last week, one of the NPC Henchmen, a rude invoker named Izban, ran into a barracks filled with Goblins. He hid behind a bunk for cover and used his firebolt, but didn't notice the goblins behind him, and was promptly filled with arrows.
As he began to make dying saves, I (on the fly) decided that NPCs shouldn't take so long to die. "NPCs die at two failed dying saves, but need three successes to stabilize" I announced to the table, as if it were a rule in the book. They nodded, felt like it was a fair rule, and went on playing.
For what it's worth, Izban lived. The fighter with the Protection style got nearby and stabilized him with a healer's kit, and then protected him from incoming arrow fire while the barbarian and party wizard just destroyed goblin after goblin.
Anyways. Here's my question: is this a good place for a house rule? Should NPC hirelings/henchmen get three dying saves like PCs, or less? Should they die at one failed dying save? Or even dead at zero hit points? Or should they be treated exactly like PCs? I'm aware that you can say "your campaign may differ", so let's just throw that argument out. Let's pretend you're a designer for WOTC and this question comes up at a designer meeting.
As he began to make dying saves, I (on the fly) decided that NPCs shouldn't take so long to die. "NPCs die at two failed dying saves, but need three successes to stabilize" I announced to the table, as if it were a rule in the book. They nodded, felt like it was a fair rule, and went on playing.
For what it's worth, Izban lived. The fighter with the Protection style got nearby and stabilized him with a healer's kit, and then protected him from incoming arrow fire while the barbarian and party wizard just destroyed goblin after goblin.
Anyways. Here's my question: is this a good place for a house rule? Should NPC hirelings/henchmen get three dying saves like PCs, or less? Should they die at one failed dying save? Or even dead at zero hit points? Or should they be treated exactly like PCs? I'm aware that you can say "your campaign may differ", so let's just throw that argument out. Let's pretend you're a designer for WOTC and this question comes up at a designer meeting.