Basic Fantasy RPG Forums

Given the feedback on the Diehard ability, I'm thinking of making an update.

At the moment I'm thinking of changing it in one of these ways:
A) Using a d10 for hit points.
B) +2 bonus to Saves versus Death and Poison.
C) A barbarian always gets a Saving Throw, even if none is usually allowed. Roll a Saving Throw versus Death.

What do you guys think? Personally C is the one I like most, followed by B and A. A is probably the easiest and less game-breaking of all, though.

Or maybe a saving throw to stay concious ?

mTeasdale wrote:Or maybe a saving throw to stay concious ?

If the DM allows to roll against dying instead of using negative Hit Points, the barbarian would have to roll 2 STs per time and I hugely dislike the idea of multiple die rolls to resolve one action.

Also, I generally prefer abilities that do not require dice rolls, as these end slowing down the game for no additional benefit 5 times out of 10.

If Diehard is to remain connected to Hit Points, I largely prefer to change the Barbarian's Hit Dice to 1d10.

The increased HD is the way its done up till today, it means more staying power while not having to modify the rules about 0HP. Plus, it let you use either of the optional rules.

Tentative R2 file.
I finally decided to leave the Hit Dice as it is and changed Diehard to a special Saving Throw/ST bonus thingy.
What do you think?

So, the Diehard ability no longer affects his HP?
Does the new Saving Throw negates the special effect or reduces it?

I'm not sure about this one artikid. Now the ability doesn't improve barbarian's survivability in standard combat if you use by-the-book dying rules or a minus HP rule variant.

I think the d10 HD would actually keep this a little closer to the original idea. Or maybe getting one point of damage less when hit in melee ? Just brainstorming here.

I know you don't like luck-based special abilities, but how about this:
When a barbarian runs out of HP he can roll a 1HD and regain those hit points.
Options:
-Use the Con bonus if any on the HD roll.
-Make it a once per day special ability.
--Make it a X time per day per Y level special ability.
-Limit the amount of HP recovered to the ones he had before the fatal blow.
--Limit it to 1 hit point.
-Give a level based bonus to the HD roll.
--Give more HD to be rolled together.

mTeasdale wrote:I'm not sure about this one artikid. Now the ability doesn't improve barbarian's survivability in standard combat if you use by-the-book dying rules or a minus HP rule variant.

Gah, you are right. I'll go with the 1d10 HD.
I wonder if I should leave the "Always get a save" thing too.
Anyway I'm attaching the file and will wait for more feedback before sending to Solomoriah.

Dimirag wrote:I know you don't like luck-based special abilities, but how about this:
When a barbarian runs out of HP he can roll a 1HD and regain those hit points.
Options:
-Use the Con bonus if any on the HD roll.
-Make it a once per day special ability.
--Make it a X time per day per Y level special ability.
-Limit the amount of HP recovered to the ones he had before the fatal blow.
--Limit it to 1 hit point.
-Give a level based bonus to the HD roll.
--Give more HD to be rolled together.

Dimirag, while all those are sound ideas, they smack too much of recent editions for my tastes. Thanks for the feedback.

So, no new feedback.
Sending to Solomoriah for upload on downloads page.
Cheers