In one of my games, a player has animated two zombie dragons that had Fast Healing while they were living. The text of the Fast Healing property says:
Fast healing continues to function (even at negative hit points) until a creature dies, at which point the effects of fast healing end immediately.
When the dragon is reanimated, does it regain its Fast Healing ability? Or does the fact that the effects end when it dies mean that an undead creature doesn't benefit from it?
No, it does not regain Fast Healing. A zombie retains none of its defensive abilities it had in life, and loses most other special qualities as well. (A juju zombie dragon would retain its fast healing, as the template never mentions removing it.)
Defensive Abilities: Zombies lose their defensive abilities and gain all of the qualities and immunities granted by the undead type. Zombies gain DR 5/slashing.
Special Qualities: A zombie loses most special qualities of the base creature. It retains any extraordinary special qualities that improve its melee or ranged attacks. A zombie gains the following special quality.
And fast healing does work for undead that have it, like vampires and winterwights.
I noticed that bit about Defensive Abilities, but I don't think it's actually relevant because there is a specific portion of the stat block called Defensive Abilities, and Fast Healing is not listed under that section (it's listed under HP.) Likewise for Special Qualities, there is a clearly labeled section called Special Qualities, and since Fast Healing isn't shown there, either, I don't think it's technically a Special Quality.
I noticed that bit about Defensive Abilities, but I don't think it's actually relevant because there is a specific portion of the stat block called Defensive Abilities, and Fast Healing is not listed under that section (it's listed under HP.) Likewise for Special Qualities, there is a clearly labeled section called Special Qualities, and since Fast Healing isn't shown there, either, I don't think it's technically a Special Quality.
Where it appears in the stat block actually has no bearing on what the ability actually is. (But Fast healing is mentioned in the Defense section of the stat block.)
With templates that grant Fast Healing, it is always listed as a defense ability. Check the vampire template, not its statblock. Or the Jiang-shi, or Worm that Walks. When it details what a creature with that template gets, Fast Healing is always listed as a Defensive Ability.
Then there is the description of Fast Healing itself, from the Beastiary:
Fast Healing (Ex) A creature with the fast healing special quality regains hit points at an exceptional rate, usually 1 or more hit points per round, as given in the creature's entry. Except where noted here, fast healing is just like natural healing. Fast healing does not restore hit points lost from starvation, thirst, or suffocation, nor does it allow a creature to regrow lost body parts. Unless otherwise stated, it does not allow lost body parts to be reattached. Fast healing continues to function (even at negative hit points) until a creature dies, at which point the effects of fast healing end immediately.
A typical zombie does not regain the fast healing abilities it had in life.
The fact that a creature is undead does not mean it can't benefit from Fast Healing. There's even a part under Undead Traits that mentions it.
- Cannot heal damage on its own if it has no Intelligence score, although it can be healed. Negative energy (such as an inflict spell) can heal undead creatures. The fast healing special quality works regardless of the creature's Intelligence score.
Being "undead" and being "dead" are two different things.
Now, concerning an undead zombie and whether Fast Healing is a Defensive Ability or not is up for debate.
(Note: But I do notice that Fast Healing is always mentioned as a "Special Quality", and under Creating a Zombie it says, "A zombie loses most special qualities of the base creature.")
The fact that a creature is undead does not mean it can't benefit from Fast Healing. There's even a part under Undead Traits that mentions it.
- Cannot heal damage on its own if it has no Intelligence score, although it can be healed. Negative energy (such as an inflict spell) can heal undead creatures. The fast healing special quality works regardless of the creature's Intelligence score.
Being "undead" and being "dead" are two different things.
Now, concerning an undead zombie and whether Fast Healing is a Defensive Ability or not is up for debate.
(Note: But I do notice that Fast Healing is always mentioned as a "Special Quality", and under Creating a Zombie it says, "A zombie loses most special qualities of the base creature.")
I know that some undead can have Fast Healing (such as vampires,) but the question is: if a living creature dies (and consequently stops being affected by Fast Healing,) does the Fast Healing return when it is animated?
Also, can you give an example of where Fast Healing is mentioned as a Special Quality? In the Bestiary stat blocks it is listed under HP.
edit: nvm, it's literally in the first sentence of the Fast Healing description:
Fast Healing (Ex) A creature with the fast healing special quality...
Thanks!
Also, can you give an example of where Fast Healing is mentioned as a Special Quality? In the Bestiary stat blocks it is listed under HP.
Bestiary pg. 300 under Fast Healing. It begins, "A creature with the fast healing special quality...."