Liches and regeneration

[Tjaden]

I am playing a lich pc in a game right now, and it says that liches only die when they are dropped to 0 hp and then their phylactery is destroyed, right? If it is not obliterated, the lich regenerates in a variable amount of days. But how do liches heal/regenerate normally when they are still above 0 hp? I cant find a rule for this anywhere, but it only makes sense.

 

[boothbey]

Just a guess...

Same as a normal character? Barring other factors like items and spells and such.

Of course you could always...

Step 1: Summon Monster
Step 2: Vampiric Touch
Step 3: Repeat until at full health.

Have an evil cleric at your super secret PC Proof Lair casting Inflict Wound spells on you.

Magic Jar into a healthy body.


I suppose I could try and find Van Richten's Guide to Liches...but GASP it's SECOND EDITION!

 

[Ulrick]

I have the Guide to Liches. There isn't much in the way of game mechanics inside of it. And what little there is can be easily converted into 3e. So there's no problem there. It's a great resource that I high recommend anybody pick up.

It's also compiled with the Van Richten's Monster Hunter Compedium 2 the features ghosts and mummies in case you can't find it. (Which is also a good resource).

Ulrick

 

[the Jester]

Actually, this brings up an interesting thought concerning undead with regeneration. Regeneration means most of the damage you take is converted to subdual damage, right? But undead aren't subject to subdual damage. Does it just vanish? What's up with that?

 

[Thanee]

I don't think that Liches have Regeneration.

Their life force just reforms or something. I guess they are simply at full health after the d10 days.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Zappo]

Actually, this brings up an interesting thought concerning undead with regeneration. Regeneration means most of the damage you take is converted to subdual damage, right? But undead aren't subject to subdual damage. Does it just vanish? What's up with that?

IIRC, that was a major issue with one of the monsters... an errata was involved, but I really can't remember anything more. Sorry. Anyway, it is a big problem. An undead with regeneration is effectively immune to any damage (save what's specified as hurting it, if any). Suffocation damage would bypass regeneration, but the friggin' things don't breathe!

 

[hong]

IIRC, that was a major issue with one of the monsters... an errata was involved, but I really can't remember anything more.

A few of them, actually, the main ones being the retriever and the tarrasque. The fix was to change regen to fast healing.

 

[Oni]

I am playing a lich pc in a game right now, and it says that liches only die when they are dropped to 0 hp and then their phylactery is destroyed, right? If it is not obliterated, the lich regenerates in a variable amount of days. But how do liches heal/regenerate normally when they are still above 0 hp? I cant find a rule for this anywhere, but it only makes sense.

This is just off the top of my head, but I believe if you take a look in your MM in the front under the description of the undead creature type it states that unintelligent undead cannot heal except by outside means unless they have an ability to the contrary and that intelligent undead (like liches) hear normally. i.e. 1 hp/HD per day

 

[Aeolius]

They regenerate by consuming the essences of larvae, of course

 

[Darklone]

Another method for them to 'heal':

If they have leveldraining attacks, every drained level gives them 5 hp back.