Nonlethal default game: What does non-lethal damage become?

[SilvercatMoonpaw]

I think I want to run a Pathfinder game where regular damage doesn't kill a target: targets only die by intention. The only difficulty is what's currently known as non-lethal damage, which wouldn't really do anything under this new system.

Is there some change I can make to non-lethal damage options still useful?

[deuxhero]

I'd look at what you'd actually have to change. Excluding intentionally dealing non-lethal damage, you have...

1: Those without IAS doing non-lethal damage with unarmed strikes. This should be replaced with another penalty or just dropped.
2: Touch of Mercy. This can just make the afflicted take -4 penalty on attack rolls unless they are using Unarmed Strikes/Saps.
3: Envriomental effects. This can either be kept as is or replaced by a condition (sickened ect.) and/or ability score damage as penalty.
4: Sap and Mercy have this as bonuses. Up sap's damage and increase the critical modifier and drop Mercy entirely.
5: A few spells that need to be done case by case.

[Kitty Catoblepas]

Maybe have all non-lethal damage heal at the end of a scene?

You can still defeat someone through non-lethal "duking it out" combat (they'll still go unconscious), but it's more of a movie bar-brawl encounter where the defeated can walk away instead of nursing their injuries for hours/days.

[SilvercatMoonpaw]

Kitty Catoblepas wrote:

Maybe have all non-lethal damage heal at the end of a scene?

You can still defeat someone through non-lethal "duking it out" combat (they'll still go unconscious), but it's more of a movie bar-brawl encounter where the defeated can walk away instead of nursing their injuries for hours/days.

That's an interesting idea. Though doesn't do much for player use unless there's some kind of time-sensitive interrogation and they need the enemies they've captured to wake up fast.