Close wounds spell on Coup de gras

[LucasB]

Spell Compendium
CLOSE WOUNDS
Conjuration (Healing)
Level: Cleric 2
Components: V
Casting Time: 1 immediate action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target: One creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Will half (harmless); see text
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)
Your ally falls from a crushing blow, but you don’t have time to reach him. You quickly speak words of power, and the worst of his injuries glow golden and begin to heal.
This spell cures 1d4 points of damage +1 point per caster level (maximum +5).
If you cast this spell immediately after the subject takes damage, it effectively prevents the damage. It would keep alive someone who had just dropped to –10 hit points, for example, leaving the character at negative hit points but stable. Used against an undead creature, close wounds deals damage instead of curing the creature (which takes half damage if it makes a Will saving throw).

So the Paladin was in a fight with a dark Naga and well he failed his save and went to sleep. As such the Naga did a coup de Gras the next round on the paladin. With that he failed another fort save vs the damage and died as a result. Their priest cast Close wounds on the paladin that perhaps ultimately saved him from death. From my understanding a Coup de gras is like cutting off someone's head or crushing it. So I fail to see how a spell such as this can save you from death. Perhaps a hit that takes you down to negative con perhaps but from a coup de gras is like saying... yes the Katana cut off your head but close wounds suddenly closed the wounds back up reattaching the head.... Right.... lol

How do you guys interpret this situation is there any spell that can save you from a coup de gras as I assumed it was instant death if you failed a fortitude save.

Thanks Folks. L.B.

[Jeraa]

The spell won't prevent a coup de grace, but it can lower the save DC.

1) monster attempts coup de grace, roll damage
2) as an immediate action, cast close wounds, effectively preventing some of the damage
3) if character survives damage, now attempt the fort save (at a reduced DC because some of the damage was prevented)

[My Self]

This looks like 3rd party material. Perhaps you move it to a different board?

This doesn't look like it'll work, because the paladin did not die of hit point damage, he died of coup de grace death.

[CampinCarl9127]

Ew. 3pp.

All this spell does is prevent hit point damage from killing you. A coup de grace does not kill you via hit point damage (on a failed save). Therefore this spell does not help.

[Kalindlara]

Technically, it's 1st-party material... for 3.5 D&D. It's from WotC's Spell Compendium.

[Jeraa]

Kalindlara wrote:

Technically, it's 1st-party material... for 3.5 D&D. It's from WotC's Spell Compendium.

No, it's not. 1st party material is material from the game company itself. In this case, Paizo. Even though Pathfinder was developed from 3.5, it was done so by a different company. WotC material is 3rd party material when it comes to Pathfinder.

[Kalindlara]

Jeraa wrote:

Kalindlara wrote:

Technically, it's 1st-party material... for 3.5 D&D. It's from WotC's Spell Compendium.

No, it's not. 1st party material is material from the game company itself. In this case, Paizo. Even though Pathfinder was developed from 3.5, it was done so by a different company. WotC material is 3rd party material when it comes to Pathfinder.

That's why my post is carefully phrased. It is first-party material (wait for it) for 3.5 D&D (which is not Pathfinder).

[Kobold Catgirl]

CampinCarl9127 wrote:

Ew. 3pp.

All this spell does is prevent hit point damage from killing you. A coup de grace does not kill you via hit point damage (on a failed save). Therefore this spell does not help.

3pp is great, if you're willing to put in the effort as a GM. Pathfinder is all about diversity of options, after all.

I'd agree with the majority here—it lowers the DC, but doesn't stop you from having to save. I'd say you're saving to avoid dying of shock, even though all the damage was undone immediately.