I want to clarify the rules on Void Dragons and suffocation. I like void dragons (bestiary 4) and their breath weapon causes "an air dependentcreature fails its fortitude save suffocates for a number of rounds equal to the dragon's age category."
Suffocation rules say in the second paragraph after details on holding breath "when character fail one of these Constitution checks, she begins to suffocate.in the first round she drops unconscious (0 hp). Next round, she drops to -1 and is dying. In the third round she suffocate (dead)".
I feel like the intention was that void dragons force players to hold their breath or suffocate, since a failed save against the breath weapon is death in 3 rounds once they are young or older (making duration of suffocation beyond 3 rounds superfluous).
What is the official ruling?
Thanks
I believe you're skipping past the starting point, that is the character has run out of air and has to start making Constitution checks. I see where you're coming from though, as they're still 'holding their breathe' until they fail a check, technically.
Easy way is to make it the Con checks, and if anyone argues for the 2xCon rounds, point out what you say above.
Of course it *could* mean just the holding your breath stage of the suffocation rules. It would take multiple breath weapon save failures or a really old dragon and low con for it to matter though.
I thought there were items that allowed you to not require breathing, and therefore would render this tactic invalid?
To be honest, it's a sticky wicket. Dragons are deadly, sure, and they're very powerful, I get that. But even while young, Dragons aren't supposed to be able to make high level characters go splat with a single breath weapon.
Even if we take Majuba's argument, here's what those rules have to say for us:
A character who has no air to breathe can hold her breath for 2 rounds per point of Constitution. If a character takes a standard or full-round action, the remaining duration that the character can hold her breath is reduced by 1 round. After this period of time, the character must make a DC 10 Constitution check in order to continue holding her breath. The check must be repeated each round, with the DC increasing by +1 for each previous success.
So, even if we follow this rule of thumb in comparison, characters are still effectively suffering a modified Nauseated condition, being able to only take a move action each round. That's still very powerful.
Most fights are over in 5 rounds or less. How many PCs have a CON less than 5?
I believe you're skipping past the starting point, that is the character has run out of air and has to start making Constitution checks. I see where you're coming from though, as they're still 'holding their breathe' until they fail a check, technically.
Easy way is to make it the Con checks, and if anyone argues for the 2xCon rounds, point out what you say above.
Of course it *could* mean just the holding your breath stage of the suffocation rules. It would take multiple breath weapon save failures or a really old dragon and low con for it to matter though.
You are correct on skipping the first page. I read the rules as they were (skipping to the outright suffocation) started because the void dragon's own rules state it. The main issue is ambiguous language.
That said - I'd be doing it along the lines of hold your breath like everyone else. It seemed clear that it was not intentioned to be so deadly.
Turin the mad makes a good side point. The longest combats in my games are usually 10-12 rounds unless half the party is disabled. The suffocation thing should combats and a layer of terror in their whole minute of combat lol