What's the effect of Con 1

[Yair]

In a recent game a PC in my game was reduced to Con 1; what are the effects of such a thing?
As far as I know, by the rules the sole effect is to lower his hp (to about 1 hp/level), Fort saves, and so on. This seems rediculous.

What are the effects by the rules? What should be the roleplaying effects?

(The loss is temporary, we believe.)

 

[kiznit]

roleplaying con 1

In a recent game a PC in my game was reduced to Con 1; what are the effects of such a thing?
As far as I know, by the rules the sole effect is to lower his hp (to about 1 hp/level), Fort saves, and so on. This seems rediculous.

What are the effects by the rules? What should be the roleplaying effects?

(The loss is temporary, we believe.)

Without access to a restoration spell, you get your con back at the rate of 1 point a day, which means you're not going to be feeling back up to par for over a week.

Con 0 is death, right? so con 1 is a close shave - akin to getting really, really sick, like you've lost a lot of blood, so you're just generally woozy and fragile. You might suggest as a DM that their character is feeling really lousy: feverish, can't stop coughing, tired all the time - and recommend he get some bed rest and some good chicken soup. Granted, in game terms his character can do anything he can do normally, but you should remind him that one critical hit could probably take him out. I don't believe that staying in bed and working some heal checks ups the rate of one point back a day, but the character probably shouldn't be out adventuring with such low hit points anyway, it's kinda risky..

I don't know. That's how I'd play it.

 

[Zappo]

Well, you have -5 to all saves versus body-related stuff and one blow could kill you. Obviously, you are not well.

The rules only tell you the mechanical effects; the rest is up to you. There are many reasons for which one can go to Con 1: poison, disease, blood loss, and more. Generally speaking, you would feel very ill, as if you were one step from death (which, incidentally, you are).

 

[Yair]

Just to clarify, I am not the DM here, just another player, but as a group we were somewhat at a loss as to how to protray the situation and I thought I'll ask here.

The loss was incurred as a result of a failed Horror check in a Ravenloft campaign, as a result of a "minor heart attack". I believe it will not be restored at the normal rate; rather, the DM implied another Fort save could be made in 1 month's time.

 

[drunkmoogle]

Well... make sure your GM doesn't house rule that you die at -CON... ouch.

/Agree with kiznit

 

[The Souljourner]

Dude, -5 hitpoints per die means you're almost certain to have only 1 hitpoint per hitdie. That in and of itself is way more than enough penalty. Sure, you can walk around as normal, but you can walk around as normal with only 1 hitpoint left. It's D&D, it's supposed to be heroic. Roleplaying is where you're supposed to pick up the non-combat effect (e.g. "No, I can't go out dancing, you fool! Can't you see I'm at death's door?!")

-The Souljourner

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

It means, watch our for stirges.