Boomer's House Rules (D&D): Healing

Boomer takes you behind the Dungeon Master's screen in order to share some house rules for Dungeons and Dragons (4th Edition). You'll learn how to expand the rules and give yourself tools to create more drama and fun around the gaming table.

In this first edition, Boomer will explore healing, and how to introduce a dynamic that will leave your player characters feeling more bruised after big battles.

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[ClanOfTheGrayWolf]

I can see what you're saying. A large part of the 4e philosophy is to make things simpler by reducing the number of minutia one has to take care of.

This rule actually harkens back a little to 2nd edition, specifically the Dark Sun campaign (appropriate now, eh?) in which a sense of danger was everywhere and surviving was a struggle. I can see why not everyone wants to worry so much about healing items and such, but others like the challenge.

Thanks for the comment, I hope you keep watching.

[repsesper]

Let me ask you this: What if the party had a cleric that could use a prayer like Heal Critical Wounds? or if they had Healing Potions? It seems illogical that the characters cannot recover from being wounded even when treated with high-powered healing magic.

[ClanOfTheGrayWolf]

Well, I suggest that you try it.  If you don't like it, stop using it. If you want to tweak it, go ahead. You are the DM.

[shagoosty]

Fuck that, I'll just make my party fight 5 encounters a day, like your suppose to in 4E. This makes characters vunerable and have to think more tactically. A lot of times they get to the final encounter and one of them is already out of healing surges. I don't need to prevent them from healing, that's just unfair. Hit points are an abstract thing, every time you take damage you are not necessary getting hit by a weopon. It could of hit your armor or made you move in a way that tires you out

[TyrusPerises]

@repsesper simple way to fix that is limit number of potions, wands, scrolls in the world.

[DungeonsItalia]

Too many rules.

[brendentaylor12345]

wow i just think video games are just, soooooo much better

[fudgepacksack]

Fuck off boomer!

[bringit426]

i have the same shirt XD dragons ftw :3

[repsesper]

I suppose the argument I'm making is that the "wounded" state is more along the lines of 3rd edition philosophy. It made sense realistically speaking, but what happened in play is that the players always put a cleric in the party and/or carried around lots of healing items (potions, wands, scrolls). 4th edition philosophy asks: "Is this an actual challenge that enhances gameplay? or, is it something that effectively railroads playstyle and wastes game time?"

By the way, I like your website.