RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Hypothetical situation here:
Bob the 7th-level Magus is badly damaged, having only 5 HP remaining. On his turn, he strikes an opponent with vampiric touch, gaining 16 temporary HP. Later in the round, he is subjected to a cloudkill spell, which reduces his CON by 4 (and thus reduces his maximum and current HP by 14). Now Bob is at -9 HP and should be dying, but he still has 16 temporary HP that effectively bring him above 0.
Question: What is Bob's present condition? (Assume Bob's CON score, after the 4 points of damage, is still greater than 9.)
- a.) Dying and bleeding! He needs to make a stabilization check or lose 1 HP per round, just like anyone else at negative HP. The bleeding should deplete his temp HP first, however, buying him some time.
- b.) Alive and kicking! Those 16 temp HP mean he's still above 0 and able to act normally.
- c.) Unconscious but stable! His actual HP are below 0, so he's unconscious, but the temp HP mean that he's not in danger of bleeding out as long as they last.
- d.) Dying and seriously bleeding! He needs to make a stabilization check or lost 1 HP per round, and that HP loss circumvents his temporary HP, depleting his normal HP instead and hastening his demise!
- e.) Still up, but looking dire. The HP reduction from the CON loss comes out of his temp HPs, leaving him at 5 real HP and 2 temp HP remaining.
Personally, I would go with B, but it's a dangerous place to be since as soon as the temps are gone he's deep into negatives.
B. HP loss from Con reduction doesn't go off your temporary HP. When the duration of Vampiric Touch is up, Bob will drop. (Assuming he didn't get a cure in the meantime.)
I agree on B. But when the temp hp's go (when the duration is up), he'll instantly drop to -9 and will be dying.
Cpt. Caboodle is correct. So long as Bob has positive hitpoints (it does not matter if they are temporary) he is still concious and alive.
Bob starts with 21hp (16temporary). The con loss reduces his hp by 14hp leaving him with 7 hp.
Lets put this another way: If Bob is at -5hps and recieves an Aid Spell that granted him 8 temporary hps would we be having this discussion? No we wouldn't, Bob would be at 3hps and able to act.
- Gauss
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Cpt. Caboodle is correct. So long as Bob has positive hitpoints (it does not matter if they are temporary) he is still concious and alive.
Bob starts with 21hp (16temporary). The con loss reduces his hp by 14hp leaving him with 7 hp.
Lets put this another way: If Bob is at -5hps and recieves an Aid Spell that granted him 8 temporary hps would we be having this discussion? No we wouldn't, Bob would be at 3hps and able to act.
- Gauss
So, by that logic, then, if Bob's CON score were only, say, 6 after the CON damage, he would still be alive? Even though his "normal" HP are below -6?
You have not given the original con score. Cannot calculate it.
However, yes, assuming his current HPs are above the threshold for death he is alive. Current HPs includes the temporary hps.
Another example:
Bob suffers enough con damage to die from hit point loss. I burn a Hero Point to use an immediate action to cast Aid on him. This gives him enough (temporary) hitpoints to bring his total above the death threshold and he stays alive. At least until the temporary HPs wear off. :)
(Yes, Aid is a poor choice for a spell but it is example appropriate.)
- Gauss
So, by that logic, then, if Bob's CON score were only, say, 6 after the CON damage, he would still be alive? Even though his "normal" HP are below -6?Cpt. Caboodle is correct. So long as Bob has positive hitpoints (it does not matter if they are temporary) he is still concious and alive.
Bob starts with 21hp (16temporary). The con loss reduces his hp by 14hp leaving him with 7 hp.
Lets put this another way: If Bob is at -5hps and recieves an Aid Spell that granted him 8 temporary hps would we be having this discussion? No we wouldn't, Bob would be at 3hps and able to act.
- Gauss
Yes. In a similar manner (only turned around) a barbarian could be well under -[CON] hit points (counting his original HP only) and not notice (i.e. drop dead) until his rage ends and the CON goes back to normal. Bob will drop dead when the temporary hit points fade away because his lowered CON can no longer support him being alive.
