Ferocity as an Orc PC

[Scream]

Ferocity seems to have two different wordings.

Wording #1: "A creature with ferocity remains conscious and can continue fighting even if its hit point total is below 0. The creature is still staggered and loses 1 hit point each round. The creature still dies when its hit point total reaches a negative amount equal to its Constitution score."

Wording #2:"Ferocity: Orcs possess the ferocity ability which allows them to remain conscious and continue fighting even if their hit point totals fall below 0. Orcs are still staggered at 0 hit points or lower and lose 1 hit point each round as normal."

I have a player that is playing as an Orc. He is wondering if he can pass out when he hits 0. Giving up his ferocity ability temporarily. The way this is worded is very vague on that. "ALLOWS them to remain conscious" and "Remains conscious and CAN continue fighting" they seem to contradict themselves on this matter.

[Grick]

Scream wrote:

Ferocity seems to have two different wordings.

For discussion, Wording #1 is from Ferocity (Ex) under Universal Monster Rules. (under "additionalMonsters" which I think is from Bestiary 2 before the PRD consolidated them. There's a slight difference in wording between that one and the Ferocity (Ex) under UMR from the sidebar)

Wording #2 is from Ferocity in Orc Racial Traits (ARG, Featured Races)

Scream wrote:

I have a player that is playing as an Orc.

In the case of differing rules, I would assume you should use the ones for the Orc PC (ARG) rather than the universal monster rule.

Scream wrote:

He is wondering if he can pass out when he hits 0. Giving up his ferocity ability temporarily.

Ferocity (any of them) only work below 0, not at 0. When your HP are at 0, you are Disabled.

If you mean below 0 and either stable or dying, I'm not sure what benefit there could be to giving yourself the Unconscious condition. I think the intent is that if you're not performing strenuous actions, you can still stabilize normally and stop losing HP.

[RumpinRufus]

Well, he can always just act dead without becoming unconscious. Falling prone is a free action.

If the question is whether or not he can do so on his opponent's turn (for example, in the middle of a full attack), it seems like by RAW it would not be allowed. It seems like a reasonable houserule, though, that someone that injured would be allowed to fall prone and play dead as an immediate action.

[blackbloodtroll]

If the Orc PC wants the Universal Monster Ferocity, then he will need the Ferocious Resolve feat.

[Grick]

blackbloodtroll wrote:

If the Orc PC wants the Universal Monster Ferocity, then he will need the Ferocious Resolve feat.

Prerequisites: Con 13, half-orc, orc ferocity racial trait.

While half-orcs count as orcs for effects related to race, orcs don't count as half-orcs, nor do they have the orc ferocity racial trait.

[blackbloodtroll]

I misread that feat.