OOC
Re: OOC
It does make it a little weaker. Later editions changes it, so you can already be in melee. As it is written in 1st ed you would plan to cast the spell if you spot an enemy before they see you. Or if you know you are going into a room with enemies.
Re: OOC
I kind of view it as the D&D equivalent of the priest blessing the soldiers prior to them going into battle. They line up in a row and bow on one knee, while the priest daubs each one with holy water and prays for safety and victory in the coming battle. It is a solemn, sacred ritual and would not be fitting in the midst of actual melee combat.Solinor wrote:I wonder what the reasoning was about it can only take effect before fighting.
Once I spent some time thinking about it, I came to see it as a preparation type spell. The only sticking point being how long the affects last prior to entering combat. As a DM, I'm kind of generous and say that it lasts all day, but will be lost once the recipient of the blessing stops ostensibly for sleep/major rest/recovery.
As discussed earlier, it's ambiguous and leaves quite a bit of room for interpretation. The more I get back into D&D, the more I realize that's what makes the game great. Gary intended the rules to be flexible and to meet the needs/desires of the people playing it.
Re: OOC
I'm with you too. Gygax wanted people to assault intelligently and his group often made forays, then ran away. I think the Caves of Chaos were the prime example - no BBEG but if you tried to pull the BFA you'd be quickly outmatched. And if you took too long between forays they'd replenish, or team up with neighboring bad guys. 
I know B2 isn't AD&D, but since DMPrata made that cool conversion available (here) it should count. 
I know B2 isn't AD&D, but since DMPrata made that cool conversion available (here) it should count. This is a game about killing things and taking their stuff so you can become more powerful in order to kill bigger things and take even better stuff.
Re: OOC
There is a million ways my mind thinks of changing things in D&D all the time. For me the problem is I never stop. So in the case of this pbp game I am just going to follow things as closely to written as possible.
That is good reasoning about bless Dramaman and next time its cast I expect the caster to elaborate on the blessing.
That is good reasoning about bless Dramaman and next time its cast I expect the caster to elaborate on the blessing.
Re: OOC
Our rolls are stinking this joint up worse than the trogs!
This is a game about killing things and taking their stuff so you can become more powerful in order to kill bigger things and take even better stuff.
Re: OOC
if we survive we need to find somewhere to hole up and rest... We need those heal spells. Rondar should make a retreat before going to zero HPs
This is a game about killing things and taking their stuff so you can become more powerful in order to kill bigger things and take even better stuff.
Re: OOC
Nah, I think he's at 1hp.
And as for extra fighters, I was thinking of Viscata... Caspur hasn't been around for over a week.
That email I don't have!
And as for extra fighters, I was thinking of Viscata... Caspur hasn't been around for over a week.
That email I don't have!
This is a game about killing things and taking their stuff so you can become more powerful in order to kill bigger things and take even better stuff.
Re: OOC
You only go unconcious if dropped to 0 hit points exactly. Any blow that takes you into the negatives kills you instantly.
Here are the rulings I use.
PHB page 34:
Each character has a varying number of hit points,' just as monsters do.
These hit points represent how much damage (actual or potential) the
character can withstand before being killed.
DMG page 82:
When any creature is brought to 0 hit poinis, it is unconscious.
In each of the next succeeding rounds 1 additional (negative) point
will be lost until -10 is reached and the creature dies. Such loss and death
are caused from bleeding, shock, convulsions, non-respiration, and similar
causes. It ceases immediately on any round a friendly creature administers
aid to the unconscious one. Aid consists of binding wounds, starting
respiration, administering a draught (spirits, healing potion, etc.), or otherwise
doing whatever is necessary to restore life.
If you bleed to -6 or more you will be permenantly damaged in some way as described by the DM.
Here are the rulings I use.
PHB page 34:
Each character has a varying number of hit points,' just as monsters do.
These hit points represent how much damage (actual or potential) the
character can withstand before being killed.
DMG page 82:
When any creature is brought to 0 hit poinis, it is unconscious.
In each of the next succeeding rounds 1 additional (negative) point
will be lost until -10 is reached and the creature dies. Such loss and death
are caused from bleeding, shock, convulsions, non-respiration, and similar
causes. It ceases immediately on any round a friendly creature administers
aid to the unconscious one. Aid consists of binding wounds, starting
respiration, administering a draught (spirits, healing potion, etc.), or otherwise
doing whatever is necessary to restore life.
If you bleed to -6 or more you will be permenantly damaged in some way as described by the DM.