Stabilization 'end of round'

[Seule]

In 3.5, when do you roll for stabilization? On your initiative, or at the top of the initiative order? I can't find anything concrete in the SRD and my books are unavailable, I'm wondering if any 3.5 source specifies this concretely. Page references requested, I've already got a lot of opinions on both sides.

--Seule

 

[DM2]

From the SRD:

STABLE CHARACTERS AND RECOVERY
On the next turn after a character is reduced to between –1 and –9 hit points and on all subsequent turns, roll d% to see
whether the dying character becomes stable. He has a 10% chance of becoming stable. If he doesn’t, he loses 1 hit point. (A
character who’s unconscious or dying can’t use any special action that changes the initiative count on which his action
occurs.)

When it says on the next turn, it means on the character's next turn (on his initiative).

This is backed u by the parenthetical comment about how you can't change your initiative while unconscious or dying....that just reinforces that you can't, say, do something to bump up your initiative so your next check comes sooner, and can't delay your action so you don't have to make the check at all (delaying indefinitely or something).

That is my take based on the SRD.

I don't think there is anything that happens at the "top of the initiative order", off the top of my head. That concept loses meaning once combat gets started. Spells end on their casters' initiatives, etc.

DM2

 

[The Souljourner]

New combatants come in at the top of the initiative order, in order of dexterity, I believe.

But yeah... it's on your initiative that you do the "please make it a 10" dance.

-The Souljourner

 

[jgsugden]

In 3.5, when do you roll for stabilization? On your initiative, or at the top of the initiative order? I can't find anything concrete in the SRD and my books are unavailable, I'm wondering if any 3.5 source specifies this concretely. Page references requested, I've already got a lot of opinions on both sides.

--Seule

The 3.5 rules do not have the 'end of turn language' present in 3.0. As a result, normal 'once per round' rules apply. In the absence of special normals, the general rule is to be used.

In other words, treat it like any other 1/rd effect.

For example:

Bob and Tim run into an orc. Combat begins. No surprise. Tim gets a 2 for his initiative check. Bob gets an 8. The orc gets a 16.

The orc goes first with his 16 initiative check and attacks. He hits Bob and takes Bob to -1 hit points in 1 blow. Bob falls unconcious.

Tim (at initiative 2) then casts sleep on the orc, but foolishly catches himself in the area of effect. Both Tim and the orc fall asleep. The round then ends.

When we return to initiative 16, it has been 1 round since Bob was attacked by the orc. Once per round effects take place exactly one round ofter beginning or after the last occurence of the effect, so Bob now rolls a d% to detrermine whether he stabilizes (and takes 1 damage if he does not).

 

[Storm Raven]

When we return to initiative 16, it has been 1 round since Bob was attacked by the orc. Once per round effects take place exactly one round ofter beginning or after the last occurence of the effect, so Bob now rolls a d% to detrermine whether he stabilizes (and takes 1 damage if he does not).

No, the character rolls his stabilization percentage on his initiative, not the initiative at which he was dropped. It is "on the next turn", not "one round later". Bob's next turn is on his own initiative, not the orc's.

 

[jgsugden]

No, the character rolls his stabilization percentage on his initiative, not the initiative at which he was dropped. It is "on the next turn", not "one round later". Bob's next turn is on his own initiative, not the orc's.

You are correct. My mistake.