Looking for some rules to use...

[steev42]

I'm considering running a short-term campaign while my normal game is in hiatus do to a player's involvement in other things. Thinking of doing some gladiatorial stuff, and I'd like to have them do some first-blood matches.

Anyone have any ideas on how to do this from a rules-standpoint?

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

First blood matches are kind of hard to do in D&D, what with the abstract nature of hit points.

What you might consider doing is breaking out hit points into "Training" hit points and "Body" hitpoints. Your "body" hitpoints are equal to your total Con hit points (Con Mod * Level, Min 1). Your "training" hit points are the rest.

The first one to have body hit points affected is the loser.

 

[Psion]

Well, I create the potential for an injury by defining any damage over 1/2 of the character's remaining HP as a potential injuring blow.

You could do the same thing, but define whatever fraction of remaining hp you consider "first blood" - 10%, 25%, whatever.

So, let's say you pick 25%.

You have two warriors facing off with 20 hp each. One the first strike, if either one does 5 points, that's first blood. If one strikes for 4 (reducing their opponent to 16), they would only need 4 points on their next strike to be considered first blood, etc.

You might declare that all crits count as first blood.

 

[steev42]

Well, I create the potential for an injury by defining any damage over 1/2 of the character's remaining HP as a potential injuring blow.

You could do the same thing, but define whatever fraction of remaining hp you consider "first blood" - 10%, 25%, whatever.

So, let's say you pick 25%.

You have two warriors facing off with 20 hp each. One the first strike, if either one does 5 points, that's first blood. If one strikes for 4 (reducing their opponent to 16), they would only need 4 points on their next strike to be considered first blood, etc.

I like that. Consider it stolen.

Thanks for the help, guys.