Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ratskinner" data-source="post: 6234615" data-attributes="member: 6688937">Lately I've been thinking that the only way to make HP works is to use them as a "combat only" mechanic. Outside combat your HP don't exist. Some non-combat actions/failure (falling and traps), and dropping to 0 HP in battle would trigger injury mechanics (probably saves in D&D parlance). Sneak attacks on unsuspecting NPCs just kill them. Sneak attacks in combat do extra damage.HP would then represent "will or ability to keep fighting" and nothing else. By default wounds would reduce your starting value for each combat (which normally refreshes to 100% after each short rest.) Some wounds might also hamper your movement, or reduce the number of "hands" you have to wield a weapon/shield/implement. This would also allow a lot of SoD effects to be implemented via HP damage with special triggers for reaching 0 HP. A Medusa might have an aura that reads:Petrifying Visage All sighted characters within 30' of the Medusa take 2d4 Petrifying damage/round. If this damage reduces a character to 0 HP, they are Petrified or turned to stone, rather than injured.Sleep might read:Sleep Puts creatures to sleep, they may make a Wisdom save to resist. In combat, it deals 2d8+10 Enchantment damage to all creatures in a small area. Creatures reduced to 0 HP are not injured, but instead fall into a magically induced slumber.</blockquote>