Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Dausuul" data-source="post: 7465311" data-attributes="member: 58197">First off, kudos for a) explaining the issues you're trying to solve and b) avoiding the common problems associated with wound/vitality systems. (If I had a nickel for every time I've tried to explain to somebody that allowing crits to go "straight to meat" defeats the whole purpose of such a system...) I especially like how the staggered effect cripples your offensive power, but doesn't degrade your defenses until you build up a significant level of exhaustion. That gives the PC a strong incentive to focus on surviving and retreating, rather than trying to land one more hit.The system seems workable as is, but I think it could be streamlined some. Right now, you're using two mechanics to track accumulating damage at 0: Vitality (for repeated hits after reaching zero) and exhaustion (each time you go from nonzero to zero). Is it necessary to have both? Since exhaustion is already in the game, what if it became the mechanic for tracking damage while at 0? Something like:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Any time you take damage that leaves you at 0 hit points, make a death saving throw. This is a special saving throw; roll 1d20 and add your proficiency bonus, against a DC equal to the excess damage. If you succeed, you gain 1 level of exhaustion. If you fail, you gain 1d4 levels of exhaustion. If you fail by 10 or more, you gain 2d4 levels of exhaustion.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">While at 0 hit points, you are staggered (disadvantage on attack rolls, and opponents have advantage on saving throws against your abilities).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">A creature that hits you with a melee weapon attack can choose to give you advantage on the death saving throw.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Inigo Montoya Rule: You can spend inspiration to ignore the effects of staggered and exhaustion for 1 minute. You still die at 6 exhaustion.</li> </ul></blockquote>

Verification