Disabled vs. Staggered

[Strife2002]

Can somebody explain what the difference is? Our last session left us wondering.

Also the glossary definition of disabled says that you move at half speed, but not the Combat chapter definition, which simply says you gain the staggered condition. Which is correct?

[RtrnofdMax]

There is a big difference.

You become disabled from dropping below 0 hitpoints. You can become staggered from spells, special abilities or from having non lethal damage equal to your current HP.

Staggered allows a standard or a move only, but with no penalty for a standard. Disabled allows a move, but if the player takes a standard, they lose a HP.

Basically disabled is associated with dying, while staggered is just a condition that lowers your action pool.

[highbad]

RtrnofdMax wrote:

You become disabled from dropping below 0 hitpoints.

SRD: "A character with 0 hit points, or one who has negative hit points but has become stable and conscious, is disabled."

So Disabled is automatic at 0 or below.

RtrnofdMax wrote:

You can become staggered from spells, special abilities or from having non lethal damage equal to your current HP.

SRD: "When your current hit point total drops to exactly 0, you are disabled. You gain the staggered condition [...]."

Technically, Disabled causes you to be Staggered at the same time, so that can also go on RtrnofdMax's list of "staggering" effects.