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Should potions of longevity be put back in the game?

Should potions of longevity (and other anti-aging magic) be put back in D&D?


Uder said:
Of course, my AC is only 7, I have 14 hit points (at 11th level!) and I nearly always miss even with ranged touch attacks, so maybe it evens out.

How come he hasn't been killed by a single arrow?
 

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I think longevity should be back because it just isn't an issue. Ever.

In a campaign world where gnomes, dwarves and elves can all live to be over 200 without any problem (or, indeed, game effect), what would be the difference if humans were allowed to live to 200 via potions of longevity?

Nothing at all, as far as I can see. Nor would allowing the above races to live to 1000 or more make any real difference either.

Longevity/anti-ageing potions are a fun plot hook with pretty much no in-game impact on PCs. Why shouldn't they be there, eh?
 

I ultimately voted no.

I think extending one's lifespan, or restoring youth, seems like wish-worthy magic/requests. Such a potion (or most likely, a wondrous-item sort of elixir if it did come back) should be adequately high-priced to a wish or limited wish spell in comparison.

I think that such magics should be in the realm of Plot Devices, which PCs/NPCs focus on or fret over to discover/find/obtain.
 

Cyberzombie said:
drug-addled pixies

yay! i missed you! :D

FWIW, my short answer is "hell yeah!"

living past your time unnaturally is a time-honored fantasy staple. heck, you could even quest for the fountain of youth if you like.
 

wingsandsword said:
What's the point or being a lich or vampire? Near indestructability via a phylactery or gaseous form/coffin? Undead immunities and d12 HD? Damage Reduction? Energy Resistances? Ability score increases? Immortality is one of the big advantages of being undead, but along with living forever is an awful lot of raw power. The sort of person who would become the sort of abomination of a vampire or lich to avoid death would also be likely to be very attracted to the raw power it provides.

I think the drawbacks of vampirism and lichdom far surpass the limited 'indestructability' they confer. I mean, if you look at the typical D&D world the vampires and liches pretty much have targets on their foreheads. Adventurers hunting them, a lonely life, problems at the laundry .. Meanwhile Elminster, the non-undeadly expanded lifespan wizzie, gets all the hot chicks and hangs out with gods.
 

Numion said:
problems at the laundry ..

I don't know about liches, but vampires should be in a great spot to do laundry- no one goes to the laundromat at 2 in the morning. People tend to go during daylight hours. They'd have the pick of the washers!
 

Cthulhudrew said:
I don't know about liches, but vampires should be in a great spot to do laundry- no one goes to the laundromat at 2 in the morning. People tend to go during daylight hours. They'd have the pick of the washers!

Do washing machines count as running water?
 

Slife said:
Do washing machines count as running water?

Yeah, but that's only a problem if his clothes are also vampiric as well.

On the other hand, you'd imagine they'd want to take a lot of their wardrobe to a drycleaner. Last thing you need when out stalking the night and drinking the blood of innocents is an opera cloak that was damaged in the spin cycle.
 

Sejs said:
On the other hand, you'd imagine they'd want to take a lot of their wardrobe to a drycleaner. Last thing you need when out stalking the night and drinking the blood of innocents is an opera cloak that was damaged in the spin cycle.

And how come vampires are always neatly groomed and dressed? Would think that to be difficult because of not seeing yourself in mirrors.
 

Numion said:
And how come vampires are always neatly groomed and dressed? Would think that to be difficult because of not seeing yourself in mirrors.

Why do you think they have mind-controlled servants?
 

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