Does reducing a character's max HP with a spell also reduce the “negative HP” threshold needed to cause instant death?

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22












$begingroup$


Here's my situation: In a fight with a group of vampire thralls, the party's wizard got caught in a corner and was being savaged by vampire bites, his max HP dropping from 24 to 11. They fended off the vampires, but the wizard was at 3hp (He refused to be healed by the cleric due to his character's hatred of religion and gods). He activated a trap collapsing the temple, and ended up getting hit by a falling chunk of stone ceiling, taking 15 damage (the rock rolled better than any of the vampires).



Now, the wizard is reduced to 0 hp, with 12 damage left over. The cleric's player says that exceeds the wizard's current max hp of 11, causing insta-death. The wizard's player argues that the death threshold for negative HP isn't affected by max-hp-reducing spells, claiming that would make those kinds of spells more powerful than intended.



I have stories planned in either case, but I'd rather be certain that I'm following the rules.



Is the threshold for instant death based on current max hp or normal max hp?










share|improve this question











$endgroup$











  • $begingroup$
    Clarification: DND 5e doesn't have negative hit points. Are you referring to the Instant Death rule about massive injuries?
    $endgroup$
    – SirTechSpec
    Feb 9 at 20:01










  • $begingroup$
    Yes. I want to know if the threshold for instant death is affected by spells that modify max hp.
    $endgroup$
    – Miles Bedinger
    Feb 9 at 20:07










  • $begingroup$
    What spells were being used? The answer may turn on general rules, or it may depend on the wording of the spell effects, so more information is better.
    $endgroup$
    – SevenSidedDie
    Feb 9 at 20:11







  • 1




    $begingroup$
    It sounds like you are talking about the vampire Bite effect reducing the max HP? (Though any spell would likely have the same outcome).
    $endgroup$
    – PJRZ
    Feb 9 at 20:16










  • $begingroup$
    What am I missing that wizard isn't insta-killed for being < -10hp?
    $endgroup$
    – Joshua
    Feb 10 at 0:06















22












$begingroup$


Here's my situation: In a fight with a group of vampire thralls, the party's wizard got caught in a corner and was being savaged by vampire bites, his max HP dropping from 24 to 11. They fended off the vampires, but the wizard was at 3hp (He refused to be healed by the cleric due to his character's hatred of religion and gods). He activated a trap collapsing the temple, and ended up getting hit by a falling chunk of stone ceiling, taking 15 damage (the rock rolled better than any of the vampires).



Now, the wizard is reduced to 0 hp, with 12 damage left over. The cleric's player says that exceeds the wizard's current max hp of 11, causing insta-death. The wizard's player argues that the death threshold for negative HP isn't affected by max-hp-reducing spells, claiming that would make those kinds of spells more powerful than intended.



I have stories planned in either case, but I'd rather be certain that I'm following the rules.



Is the threshold for instant death based on current max hp or normal max hp?










share|improve this question











$endgroup$











  • $begingroup$
    Clarification: DND 5e doesn't have negative hit points. Are you referring to the Instant Death rule about massive injuries?
    $endgroup$
    – SirTechSpec
    Feb 9 at 20:01










  • $begingroup$
    Yes. I want to know if the threshold for instant death is affected by spells that modify max hp.
    $endgroup$
    – Miles Bedinger
    Feb 9 at 20:07










  • $begingroup$
    What spells were being used? The answer may turn on general rules, or it may depend on the wording of the spell effects, so more information is better.
    $endgroup$
    – SevenSidedDie
    Feb 9 at 20:11







  • 1




    $begingroup$
    It sounds like you are talking about the vampire Bite effect reducing the max HP? (Though any spell would likely have the same outcome).
    $endgroup$
    – PJRZ
    Feb 9 at 20:16










  • $begingroup$
    What am I missing that wizard isn't insta-killed for being < -10hp?
    $endgroup$
    – Joshua
    Feb 10 at 0:06













22












22








22





$begingroup$


Here's my situation: In a fight with a group of vampire thralls, the party's wizard got caught in a corner and was being savaged by vampire bites, his max HP dropping from 24 to 11. They fended off the vampires, but the wizard was at 3hp (He refused to be healed by the cleric due to his character's hatred of religion and gods). He activated a trap collapsing the temple, and ended up getting hit by a falling chunk of stone ceiling, taking 15 damage (the rock rolled better than any of the vampires).



Now, the wizard is reduced to 0 hp, with 12 damage left over. The cleric's player says that exceeds the wizard's current max hp of 11, causing insta-death. The wizard's player argues that the death threshold for negative HP isn't affected by max-hp-reducing spells, claiming that would make those kinds of spells more powerful than intended.



I have stories planned in either case, but I'd rather be certain that I'm following the rules.



Is the threshold for instant death based on current max hp or normal max hp?










share|improve this question











$endgroup$




Here's my situation: In a fight with a group of vampire thralls, the party's wizard got caught in a corner and was being savaged by vampire bites, his max HP dropping from 24 to 11. They fended off the vampires, but the wizard was at 3hp (He refused to be healed by the cleric due to his character's hatred of religion and gods). He activated a trap collapsing the temple, and ended up getting hit by a falling chunk of stone ceiling, taking 15 damage (the rock rolled better than any of the vampires).



Now, the wizard is reduced to 0 hp, with 12 damage left over. The cleric's player says that exceeds the wizard's current max hp of 11, causing insta-death. The wizard's player argues that the death threshold for negative HP isn't affected by max-hp-reducing spells, claiming that would make those kinds of spells more powerful than intended.



I have stories planned in either case, but I'd rather be certain that I'm following the rules.



Is the threshold for instant death based on current max hp or normal max hp?







dnd-5e character-death hit-points






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Feb 10 at 0:22









V2Blast

23.4k375148




23.4k375148










asked Feb 9 at 19:52









Miles BedingerMiles Bedinger

3,834538




3,834538











  • $begingroup$
    Clarification: DND 5e doesn't have negative hit points. Are you referring to the Instant Death rule about massive injuries?
    $endgroup$
    – SirTechSpec
    Feb 9 at 20:01










  • $begingroup$
    Yes. I want to know if the threshold for instant death is affected by spells that modify max hp.
    $endgroup$
    – Miles Bedinger
    Feb 9 at 20:07










  • $begingroup$
    What spells were being used? The answer may turn on general rules, or it may depend on the wording of the spell effects, so more information is better.
    $endgroup$
    – SevenSidedDie
    Feb 9 at 20:11







  • 1




    $begingroup$
    It sounds like you are talking about the vampire Bite effect reducing the max HP? (Though any spell would likely have the same outcome).
    $endgroup$
    – PJRZ
    Feb 9 at 20:16










  • $begingroup$
    What am I missing that wizard isn't insta-killed for being < -10hp?
    $endgroup$
    – Joshua
    Feb 10 at 0:06
















  • $begingroup$
    Clarification: DND 5e doesn't have negative hit points. Are you referring to the Instant Death rule about massive injuries?
    $endgroup$
    – SirTechSpec
    Feb 9 at 20:01










  • $begingroup$
    Yes. I want to know if the threshold for instant death is affected by spells that modify max hp.
    $endgroup$
    – Miles Bedinger
    Feb 9 at 20:07










  • $begingroup$
    What spells were being used? The answer may turn on general rules, or it may depend on the wording of the spell effects, so more information is better.
    $endgroup$
    – SevenSidedDie
    Feb 9 at 20:11







  • 1




    $begingroup$
    It sounds like you are talking about the vampire Bite effect reducing the max HP? (Though any spell would likely have the same outcome).
    $endgroup$
    – PJRZ
    Feb 9 at 20:16










  • $begingroup$
    What am I missing that wizard isn't insta-killed for being < -10hp?
    $endgroup$
    – Joshua
    Feb 10 at 0:06















$begingroup$
Clarification: DND 5e doesn't have negative hit points. Are you referring to the Instant Death rule about massive injuries?
$endgroup$
– SirTechSpec
Feb 9 at 20:01




$begingroup$
Clarification: DND 5e doesn't have negative hit points. Are you referring to the Instant Death rule about massive injuries?
$endgroup$
– SirTechSpec
Feb 9 at 20:01












$begingroup$
Yes. I want to know if the threshold for instant death is affected by spells that modify max hp.
$endgroup$
– Miles Bedinger
Feb 9 at 20:07




$begingroup$
Yes. I want to know if the threshold for instant death is affected by spells that modify max hp.
$endgroup$
– Miles Bedinger
Feb 9 at 20:07












$begingroup$
What spells were being used? The answer may turn on general rules, or it may depend on the wording of the spell effects, so more information is better.
$endgroup$
– SevenSidedDie
Feb 9 at 20:11





$begingroup$
What spells were being used? The answer may turn on general rules, or it may depend on the wording of the spell effects, so more information is better.
$endgroup$
– SevenSidedDie
Feb 9 at 20:11





1




1




$begingroup$
It sounds like you are talking about the vampire Bite effect reducing the max HP? (Though any spell would likely have the same outcome).
$endgroup$
– PJRZ
Feb 9 at 20:16




$begingroup$
It sounds like you are talking about the vampire Bite effect reducing the max HP? (Though any spell would likely have the same outcome).
$endgroup$
– PJRZ
Feb 9 at 20:16












$begingroup$
What am I missing that wizard isn't insta-killed for being < -10hp?
$endgroup$
– Joshua
Feb 10 at 0:06




$begingroup$
What am I missing that wizard isn't insta-killed for being < -10hp?
$endgroup$
– Joshua
Feb 10 at 0:06










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















23












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Yes, anything that lowers your max HP reduces the threshold for instant death



The rule on instant death from massive damage says:




Massive damage can kill you instantly. When damage reduces you to 0 hit points and there is damage remaining, you die if the remaining damage equals or exceeds your hit point maximum.



For example, a cleric with a maximum of 12 hit points currently has 6 hit points. If she takes 18 damage from an attack, she is reduced to 0 hit points, but 12 damage remains. Because the remaining damage equals her hit point maximum, the cleric dies.




The rule makes no differentiation between your current max HP and your regular max HP, and makes no exceptions for effects that reduce your max HP. (I also don't know of any max-HP-reducing effects that make an exception to the Instant Death rule either.)



At any one time, you only have one "hit point maximum", though certain effects may reduce it (and spells like greater restoration may end such effects). As a result, if your max HP is reduced, it does decrease the threshold for instant death from massive damage.



For instance, let's say your normal hit point maximum is 20, but a vampire bites you for 7 piercing and 10 necrotic damage. Its Bite attack reduces your max HP by the amount of the necrotic damage taken, so your new hit point maximum is 10. If you are damaged in a single instance that takes you to 0 HP and there is at least 10 damage leftover, you will indeed die instantly.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    Could be helpful to explicitly mention that the vampire's bite ability also doesn't make an exception to the "instant death" rule.
    $endgroup$
    – Kazim
    Feb 9 at 20:26






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    "The rule makes no differentiation between your current max HP and your regular max HP, and makes no exceptions for effects that reduce your max HP." So there's no specific rule either way, so occam's razor?
    $endgroup$
    – Miles Bedinger
    Feb 9 at 20:52











  • $begingroup$
    I'm hoping for any hard rules or rulings one way or the other. If nobody can find anything by tomorrow, I'll accept this.
    $endgroup$
    – Miles Bedinger
    Feb 9 at 21:40











  • $begingroup$
    @MilesBedinger: In the absence of rules creating exceptions or rulings specifying otherwise, the rules work exactly as they say they do. You can always houserule otherwise.
    $endgroup$
    – V2Blast
    Feb 9 at 22:05






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    Ok. Finally got what you were saying thanks to the other answer. There are no rules differentiating between current and normal max hp, because there's no such thing as "current max hp" or "normal max hp". The wizard has a single "max hp" that is affected by leveling up and spell effects. It might be worth clarifying that in your answer, and I'll accept it tomorrow.
    $endgroup$
    – Miles Bedinger
    Feb 9 at 22:29



















4












$begingroup$

Yes




When damage reduces you to 0 Hit Points and there is damage remaining, you die if the remaining damage equals or exceeds your hit point maximum.




You only have one hit point maximum which is defined in the section on creating your character:




You start with hit points equal to the highest roll of that die, as indicated in your class description. (You also add your Constitution modifier, which you’ll determine in step 3.) This is also your hit point maximum.




Things that change your hit point maximum are acting on that number, the same one used in determining death from massive damage. Such changes include the additional hit points you get for gaining a level, certain spells and, yes, a Vampire Spawn’s Bite.






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    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

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    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    23












    $begingroup$

    Yes, anything that lowers your max HP reduces the threshold for instant death



    The rule on instant death from massive damage says:




    Massive damage can kill you instantly. When damage reduces you to 0 hit points and there is damage remaining, you die if the remaining damage equals or exceeds your hit point maximum.



    For example, a cleric with a maximum of 12 hit points currently has 6 hit points. If she takes 18 damage from an attack, she is reduced to 0 hit points, but 12 damage remains. Because the remaining damage equals her hit point maximum, the cleric dies.




    The rule makes no differentiation between your current max HP and your regular max HP, and makes no exceptions for effects that reduce your max HP. (I also don't know of any max-HP-reducing effects that make an exception to the Instant Death rule either.)



    At any one time, you only have one "hit point maximum", though certain effects may reduce it (and spells like greater restoration may end such effects). As a result, if your max HP is reduced, it does decrease the threshold for instant death from massive damage.



    For instance, let's say your normal hit point maximum is 20, but a vampire bites you for 7 piercing and 10 necrotic damage. Its Bite attack reduces your max HP by the amount of the necrotic damage taken, so your new hit point maximum is 10. If you are damaged in a single instance that takes you to 0 HP and there is at least 10 damage leftover, you will indeed die instantly.






    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$












    • $begingroup$
      Could be helpful to explicitly mention that the vampire's bite ability also doesn't make an exception to the "instant death" rule.
      $endgroup$
      – Kazim
      Feb 9 at 20:26






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      "The rule makes no differentiation between your current max HP and your regular max HP, and makes no exceptions for effects that reduce your max HP." So there's no specific rule either way, so occam's razor?
      $endgroup$
      – Miles Bedinger
      Feb 9 at 20:52











    • $begingroup$
      I'm hoping for any hard rules or rulings one way or the other. If nobody can find anything by tomorrow, I'll accept this.
      $endgroup$
      – Miles Bedinger
      Feb 9 at 21:40











    • $begingroup$
      @MilesBedinger: In the absence of rules creating exceptions or rulings specifying otherwise, the rules work exactly as they say they do. You can always houserule otherwise.
      $endgroup$
      – V2Blast
      Feb 9 at 22:05






    • 2




      $begingroup$
      Ok. Finally got what you were saying thanks to the other answer. There are no rules differentiating between current and normal max hp, because there's no such thing as "current max hp" or "normal max hp". The wizard has a single "max hp" that is affected by leveling up and spell effects. It might be worth clarifying that in your answer, and I'll accept it tomorrow.
      $endgroup$
      – Miles Bedinger
      Feb 9 at 22:29
















    23












    $begingroup$

    Yes, anything that lowers your max HP reduces the threshold for instant death



    The rule on instant death from massive damage says:




    Massive damage can kill you instantly. When damage reduces you to 0 hit points and there is damage remaining, you die if the remaining damage equals or exceeds your hit point maximum.



    For example, a cleric with a maximum of 12 hit points currently has 6 hit points. If she takes 18 damage from an attack, she is reduced to 0 hit points, but 12 damage remains. Because the remaining damage equals her hit point maximum, the cleric dies.




    The rule makes no differentiation between your current max HP and your regular max HP, and makes no exceptions for effects that reduce your max HP. (I also don't know of any max-HP-reducing effects that make an exception to the Instant Death rule either.)



    At any one time, you only have one "hit point maximum", though certain effects may reduce it (and spells like greater restoration may end such effects). As a result, if your max HP is reduced, it does decrease the threshold for instant death from massive damage.



    For instance, let's say your normal hit point maximum is 20, but a vampire bites you for 7 piercing and 10 necrotic damage. Its Bite attack reduces your max HP by the amount of the necrotic damage taken, so your new hit point maximum is 10. If you are damaged in a single instance that takes you to 0 HP and there is at least 10 damage leftover, you will indeed die instantly.






    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$












    • $begingroup$
      Could be helpful to explicitly mention that the vampire's bite ability also doesn't make an exception to the "instant death" rule.
      $endgroup$
      – Kazim
      Feb 9 at 20:26






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      "The rule makes no differentiation between your current max HP and your regular max HP, and makes no exceptions for effects that reduce your max HP." So there's no specific rule either way, so occam's razor?
      $endgroup$
      – Miles Bedinger
      Feb 9 at 20:52











    • $begingroup$
      I'm hoping for any hard rules or rulings one way or the other. If nobody can find anything by tomorrow, I'll accept this.
      $endgroup$
      – Miles Bedinger
      Feb 9 at 21:40











    • $begingroup$
      @MilesBedinger: In the absence of rules creating exceptions or rulings specifying otherwise, the rules work exactly as they say they do. You can always houserule otherwise.
      $endgroup$
      – V2Blast
      Feb 9 at 22:05






    • 2




      $begingroup$
      Ok. Finally got what you were saying thanks to the other answer. There are no rules differentiating between current and normal max hp, because there's no such thing as "current max hp" or "normal max hp". The wizard has a single "max hp" that is affected by leveling up and spell effects. It might be worth clarifying that in your answer, and I'll accept it tomorrow.
      $endgroup$
      – Miles Bedinger
      Feb 9 at 22:29














    23












    23








    23





    $begingroup$

    Yes, anything that lowers your max HP reduces the threshold for instant death



    The rule on instant death from massive damage says:




    Massive damage can kill you instantly. When damage reduces you to 0 hit points and there is damage remaining, you die if the remaining damage equals or exceeds your hit point maximum.



    For example, a cleric with a maximum of 12 hit points currently has 6 hit points. If she takes 18 damage from an attack, she is reduced to 0 hit points, but 12 damage remains. Because the remaining damage equals her hit point maximum, the cleric dies.




    The rule makes no differentiation between your current max HP and your regular max HP, and makes no exceptions for effects that reduce your max HP. (I also don't know of any max-HP-reducing effects that make an exception to the Instant Death rule either.)



    At any one time, you only have one "hit point maximum", though certain effects may reduce it (and spells like greater restoration may end such effects). As a result, if your max HP is reduced, it does decrease the threshold for instant death from massive damage.



    For instance, let's say your normal hit point maximum is 20, but a vampire bites you for 7 piercing and 10 necrotic damage. Its Bite attack reduces your max HP by the amount of the necrotic damage taken, so your new hit point maximum is 10. If you are damaged in a single instance that takes you to 0 HP and there is at least 10 damage leftover, you will indeed die instantly.






    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$



    Yes, anything that lowers your max HP reduces the threshold for instant death



    The rule on instant death from massive damage says:




    Massive damage can kill you instantly. When damage reduces you to 0 hit points and there is damage remaining, you die if the remaining damage equals or exceeds your hit point maximum.



    For example, a cleric with a maximum of 12 hit points currently has 6 hit points. If she takes 18 damage from an attack, she is reduced to 0 hit points, but 12 damage remains. Because the remaining damage equals her hit point maximum, the cleric dies.




    The rule makes no differentiation between your current max HP and your regular max HP, and makes no exceptions for effects that reduce your max HP. (I also don't know of any max-HP-reducing effects that make an exception to the Instant Death rule either.)



    At any one time, you only have one "hit point maximum", though certain effects may reduce it (and spells like greater restoration may end such effects). As a result, if your max HP is reduced, it does decrease the threshold for instant death from massive damage.



    For instance, let's say your normal hit point maximum is 20, but a vampire bites you for 7 piercing and 10 necrotic damage. Its Bite attack reduces your max HP by the amount of the necrotic damage taken, so your new hit point maximum is 10. If you are damaged in a single instance that takes you to 0 HP and there is at least 10 damage leftover, you will indeed die instantly.







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited Feb 9 at 23:36

























    answered Feb 9 at 20:18









    V2BlastV2Blast

    23.4k375148




    23.4k375148











    • $begingroup$
      Could be helpful to explicitly mention that the vampire's bite ability also doesn't make an exception to the "instant death" rule.
      $endgroup$
      – Kazim
      Feb 9 at 20:26






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      "The rule makes no differentiation between your current max HP and your regular max HP, and makes no exceptions for effects that reduce your max HP." So there's no specific rule either way, so occam's razor?
      $endgroup$
      – Miles Bedinger
      Feb 9 at 20:52











    • $begingroup$
      I'm hoping for any hard rules or rulings one way or the other. If nobody can find anything by tomorrow, I'll accept this.
      $endgroup$
      – Miles Bedinger
      Feb 9 at 21:40











    • $begingroup$
      @MilesBedinger: In the absence of rules creating exceptions or rulings specifying otherwise, the rules work exactly as they say they do. You can always houserule otherwise.
      $endgroup$
      – V2Blast
      Feb 9 at 22:05






    • 2




      $begingroup$
      Ok. Finally got what you were saying thanks to the other answer. There are no rules differentiating between current and normal max hp, because there's no such thing as "current max hp" or "normal max hp". The wizard has a single "max hp" that is affected by leveling up and spell effects. It might be worth clarifying that in your answer, and I'll accept it tomorrow.
      $endgroup$
      – Miles Bedinger
      Feb 9 at 22:29

















    • $begingroup$
      Could be helpful to explicitly mention that the vampire's bite ability also doesn't make an exception to the "instant death" rule.
      $endgroup$
      – Kazim
      Feb 9 at 20:26






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      "The rule makes no differentiation between your current max HP and your regular max HP, and makes no exceptions for effects that reduce your max HP." So there's no specific rule either way, so occam's razor?
      $endgroup$
      – Miles Bedinger
      Feb 9 at 20:52











    • $begingroup$
      I'm hoping for any hard rules or rulings one way or the other. If nobody can find anything by tomorrow, I'll accept this.
      $endgroup$
      – Miles Bedinger
      Feb 9 at 21:40











    • $begingroup$
      @MilesBedinger: In the absence of rules creating exceptions or rulings specifying otherwise, the rules work exactly as they say they do. You can always houserule otherwise.
      $endgroup$
      – V2Blast
      Feb 9 at 22:05






    • 2




      $begingroup$
      Ok. Finally got what you were saying thanks to the other answer. There are no rules differentiating between current and normal max hp, because there's no such thing as "current max hp" or "normal max hp". The wizard has a single "max hp" that is affected by leveling up and spell effects. It might be worth clarifying that in your answer, and I'll accept it tomorrow.
      $endgroup$
      – Miles Bedinger
      Feb 9 at 22:29
















    $begingroup$
    Could be helpful to explicitly mention that the vampire's bite ability also doesn't make an exception to the "instant death" rule.
    $endgroup$
    – Kazim
    Feb 9 at 20:26




    $begingroup$
    Could be helpful to explicitly mention that the vampire's bite ability also doesn't make an exception to the "instant death" rule.
    $endgroup$
    – Kazim
    Feb 9 at 20:26




    1




    1




    $begingroup$
    "The rule makes no differentiation between your current max HP and your regular max HP, and makes no exceptions for effects that reduce your max HP." So there's no specific rule either way, so occam's razor?
    $endgroup$
    – Miles Bedinger
    Feb 9 at 20:52





    $begingroup$
    "The rule makes no differentiation between your current max HP and your regular max HP, and makes no exceptions for effects that reduce your max HP." So there's no specific rule either way, so occam's razor?
    $endgroup$
    – Miles Bedinger
    Feb 9 at 20:52













    $begingroup$
    I'm hoping for any hard rules or rulings one way or the other. If nobody can find anything by tomorrow, I'll accept this.
    $endgroup$
    – Miles Bedinger
    Feb 9 at 21:40





    $begingroup$
    I'm hoping for any hard rules or rulings one way or the other. If nobody can find anything by tomorrow, I'll accept this.
    $endgroup$
    – Miles Bedinger
    Feb 9 at 21:40













    $begingroup$
    @MilesBedinger: In the absence of rules creating exceptions or rulings specifying otherwise, the rules work exactly as they say they do. You can always houserule otherwise.
    $endgroup$
    – V2Blast
    Feb 9 at 22:05




    $begingroup$
    @MilesBedinger: In the absence of rules creating exceptions or rulings specifying otherwise, the rules work exactly as they say they do. You can always houserule otherwise.
    $endgroup$
    – V2Blast
    Feb 9 at 22:05




    2




    2




    $begingroup$
    Ok. Finally got what you were saying thanks to the other answer. There are no rules differentiating between current and normal max hp, because there's no such thing as "current max hp" or "normal max hp". The wizard has a single "max hp" that is affected by leveling up and spell effects. It might be worth clarifying that in your answer, and I'll accept it tomorrow.
    $endgroup$
    – Miles Bedinger
    Feb 9 at 22:29





    $begingroup$
    Ok. Finally got what you were saying thanks to the other answer. There are no rules differentiating between current and normal max hp, because there's no such thing as "current max hp" or "normal max hp". The wizard has a single "max hp" that is affected by leveling up and spell effects. It might be worth clarifying that in your answer, and I'll accept it tomorrow.
    $endgroup$
    – Miles Bedinger
    Feb 9 at 22:29














    4












    $begingroup$

    Yes




    When damage reduces you to 0 Hit Points and there is damage remaining, you die if the remaining damage equals or exceeds your hit point maximum.




    You only have one hit point maximum which is defined in the section on creating your character:




    You start with hit points equal to the highest roll of that die, as indicated in your class description. (You also add your Constitution modifier, which you’ll determine in step 3.) This is also your hit point maximum.




    Things that change your hit point maximum are acting on that number, the same one used in determining death from massive damage. Such changes include the additional hit points you get for gaining a level, certain spells and, yes, a Vampire Spawn’s Bite.






    share|improve this answer









    $endgroup$

















      4












      $begingroup$

      Yes




      When damage reduces you to 0 Hit Points and there is damage remaining, you die if the remaining damage equals or exceeds your hit point maximum.




      You only have one hit point maximum which is defined in the section on creating your character:




      You start with hit points equal to the highest roll of that die, as indicated in your class description. (You also add your Constitution modifier, which you’ll determine in step 3.) This is also your hit point maximum.




      Things that change your hit point maximum are acting on that number, the same one used in determining death from massive damage. Such changes include the additional hit points you get for gaining a level, certain spells and, yes, a Vampire Spawn’s Bite.






      share|improve this answer









      $endgroup$















        4












        4








        4





        $begingroup$

        Yes




        When damage reduces you to 0 Hit Points and there is damage remaining, you die if the remaining damage equals or exceeds your hit point maximum.




        You only have one hit point maximum which is defined in the section on creating your character:




        You start with hit points equal to the highest roll of that die, as indicated in your class description. (You also add your Constitution modifier, which you’ll determine in step 3.) This is also your hit point maximum.




        Things that change your hit point maximum are acting on that number, the same one used in determining death from massive damage. Such changes include the additional hit points you get for gaining a level, certain spells and, yes, a Vampire Spawn’s Bite.






        share|improve this answer









        $endgroup$



        Yes




        When damage reduces you to 0 Hit Points and there is damage remaining, you die if the remaining damage equals or exceeds your hit point maximum.




        You only have one hit point maximum which is defined in the section on creating your character:




        You start with hit points equal to the highest roll of that die, as indicated in your class description. (You also add your Constitution modifier, which you’ll determine in step 3.) This is also your hit point maximum.




        Things that change your hit point maximum are acting on that number, the same one used in determining death from massive damage. Such changes include the additional hit points you get for gaining a level, certain spells and, yes, a Vampire Spawn’s Bite.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered Feb 9 at 22:17









        Dale MDale M

        108k21278479




        108k21278479



























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