HP Sharing feat? advice please

[clark411]

I was asked by a player whether or not a feat would be allowed (and he'll probly see this post at some point! H'llo!). I'd like input and suggestions on a few possibilities.

The backstory is that two players would possibly play related to each other, and they'd like to have a connection in that they share hitpoints. More specifically, something along the lines in which whenever one gets hit, they divide damage by two and each take one of the halves. Lets see what these feats would look like, and get some advice if possible.

The Brother's Bond
Feat [1st level only]
Prerequisite: One other party member must take this feat.
Effect: Choose one other party member with this feat with whom you will share the following effects: whenever a player with this feat is damaged or healed, that character and the second character are both affected by half of that damage or healing.

Here's another option.. perhaps the start of a chain.

The Brother's Bond
Feat [1st level only]
Prerequisite: one other party member must take this feat.
Effect: Choose one other party member with this feat yada yada. Subtract two points of healing or damage anytime you are so affected. The other party member is given those two points of healing or damage.

That one is watered down a bit. Any advice, alternatives, what have you?

 

[Tonguez]

Option 2 is better

 

[Femerus the Gnecro]

brother's bond

Considering that this ability requires two players to each burn a feat, I think either possibility would be fine.

One thing that bothers me is the 'halving' of damage and healing. It doesn't make sense that brothers would suddenly have basically 50% damage reduction (sort of) simply because they're extremely close blood relations. That keen greatsword shouldn't be making smaller cuts just because you've got a brother... doesn't make sense.

I'd tend to go with the first option myself, but add some extra detrements with the sharing. For instance, there should be some kind of effect that occurs when one of the two players is slain, such as a fortitude save vs death, or permanent constutition loss or something. In addition, spells that deal permanent death should affect both characters regardless of range (think death spell or power word kill) though I can see both of them getting separate saves.

Also, I don't see how this entire feat concept is possible unless the two characters are identical twins, in which case they should be required to have identical stats (which could hamper their opposing class preferences, if any).

The trick is to make the feat good enough for them to take, but not good enough so that they'll think they're getting away with something. Overall, this feat should be more geared towards character depth and roleplay than number crunching. If you suspect that they (he?) is suggesting it simply out of munchiness, then don't allow it.

-Femerus

 

[clark411]

Oh heh.. I forgot to mention the second suggested part.

If either brother dies, both die.

 

[Lily Inverse]

Well.....

To me, this whole concept really bothers me. Perhaps instead make it a spell (or spell ritual) with a permanent duration, draining two points of Constitution permanently, that works as the first feat. If one "brother" dies, the other must make a Fort save at DC of 20 (Or per spell, if a death spell effect killed the other) or die, and the ritual is permanently broken even if the other is returned to life.

 

[Blacksad]

IIRC the shield other spell do what you need, you could get inspiration from this spell.

like a restriction in duration, and to round-up halved damage

just some thougt