Unexpected Return

[jcayer]

This week, I finally managed to pummel our fighter, the damage sponge, into unconsciousness(for about .8 seconds). Our cleric immediately reacts, using Unexpected Return.

Unexpected Return is an immediate reaction that says when an ally drops
below zero hit points, they can spend a healing surge.

I ruled the injured character still fell prone as they had dropped to zero HP and hence been unconscious. The player felt differently and claimed he should not have fallen prone.

My feeling was, since the power is a reaction, he did hit zero and fall prone. If it had been an interrupt, he would have stayed on his feet.

So who guessed right?

 

[UnknownAtThisTime]

Forgetting for a moment what the correct ruling is, I am curious:

After you explained your reasoning, did the player still disagree/argue his point?

 

[UnknownAtThisTime]

For an immediate Reaction "The triggering action, event, or condition occurs and is completely resolved before you take your reaction."

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"When your hit points drop to 0 or fewer, you fall unconscious and are dying."​

"When you are unconscious, You fall prone, if possible."

My answer is clear.

 

[Stumblewyk]

You were right.

Immediate Reactions are resolved after the action that caused it is resolved.

So, in this case, the fighter fell to 0 HP or fewer, dropped unconscious, and then was able to spend a healing surge to regain HP and consciousness. Prone.

 

[delericho]

So who guessed right?

Per the RAW, you did, as the others have said.

Also, since you're the DM, it was for you to rule.

 

[jcayer]

As the DM, I did rule, the way I wanted.

I was surprised by the player. He's our rules lawyer, so once I explained my point of view, I thought he would agree. But he didn't. Not that it mattered, he was staying put, soaking up damage.