how can an opponent's hit points be determined?


Advice


Adventure Path Charter Subscriber

for effective use of the "power word" spells.

i'm hoping for something other than:
"it's impossible."


Pathfinder Rulebook, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

I know that the Slayer's Blood Reader slayer talent can tell you the exact hit points of a living target. Other than that, I'm not sure.

Scarab Sages

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Youre going to be disappointed.


Power Word spells require either metagaming or blind luck, sadly.


Blood Reader is the only ability i know that tells you exactly. Death Watch gives generalities and can be taken as an at will effect for Tieflings. Until that Slayer talent though it was often assumed that HP was an abstraction that characters themselves wouldnt have a concept of, hence Death Watch's generalized statements of healthy, near death etc.


You could see if the GM is okay giving you hit dice amount if you properly ID an enemy. If so you can then get a rough estimate and track the damage done to it.


You have 3 options I can think of.

1. If you have access to Power Word spells, you probably have access to some divination spells.

- If you know the creatures alignment and class you can get a very rough guess of its power via Detect Evil and the like, as different class/level combinations produce auras of varying degrees.

- You can cast Augury and ask if the creature would be susceptable to your Power Word spell. There is a chance the answer will be false with this approach, but odds will be in your favor. Divination (the spell) and Commune work similarly, if you can access them.

2. Some interpretations of the Knowledge skill would allow you to actually look up the bestiary entry of the relevant creature. This is highly DM dependant and would rely on an overwhelmingly high skill check result as well. This approach will not be as helpful with a leveled humanoid.

3. If the target is a leveled humanoid, you may be better served investigating the abilities of the creature. A spellcaster's ability is revealed by the most powerful spell they can cast. Assuming the creature is well known to commoners, you may be able to gather some useful information with traditional skill checks. A monstrous humanoid will likely surround itself with minions of similar disposition that you could conceivably target with Charm spells and ply in a similar fashion.


the new measured foe feat would let you learn the Bab of the monster which can be a good measure for its hit dice and thus hit points.


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Wait until the GM goes to the bathroom, then look at his notes.

:D


If you're allowed to join a Spellcasting Guild and pick up Esoteric/Eclectic Training, a 2-level dip into Slayer wouldn't be so bad (good luck with that, though.)

Otherwise, looks like Magical Knack + 2 level dip is it, but that'll put you a full tier behind on spellcasting ability.


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alexd1976 wrote:

Wait until the GM goes to the bathroom, then look at his notes.

:D

Be sure to feed your GM if this is your goal. I, personally, wouldn't leave a combat still active to go to the bathroom. But enough tacos will throw any semblance of holding it out the window


Oxylepy wrote:
alexd1976 wrote:

Wait until the GM goes to the bathroom, then look at his notes.

:D

Be sure to feed your GM if this is your goal. I, personally, wouldn't leave a combat still active to go to the bathroom. But enough tacos will throw any semblance of holding it out the window

One of my players brings an entire case of Dr Pepper to every session. He thinks he's being clever, I think I make fake notes in case they do peek when I'm gone. :D

Maybe he's just being nice and I'm reading too much into it.


Oxylepy wrote:
alexd1976 wrote:

Wait until the GM goes to the bathroom, then look at his notes.

:D

Be sure to feed your GM if this is your goal. I, personally, wouldn't leave a combat still active to go to the bathroom. But enough tacos will throw any semblance of holding it out the window

I find beer works quite well for this. Or, of your group doesn't drink, caffeinated soft drinks.

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