Ok. So where are the rules that tell us how combat, actions, bonus actions, reactions, movement, etc., works for “monsters” and NPCs?
The Basic rules? The same rules that describe monster's type such as beast.
I don’t think I ask very clearly. If the rules in the combat chapter are only for player characters, where are the rules specifically for “monsters“?
And then, if beasts are a monster, are humanoids as well?
The combat rules apply to all in the game, both PC, NPC and monsters alike.
Humanoids are a monsters type too. But may not always be, depending on the format they take. If a character format, then it's NPC or PC, If it's a monster's statblock, then it's a monster.
Ok. So where are the rules that tell us how combat, actions, bonus actions, reactions, movement, etc., works for “monsters” and NPCs?
The Basic rules? The same rules that describe monster's type such as beast.
I don’t think I ask very clearly. If the rules in the combat chapter are only for player characters, where are the rules specifically for “monsters“?
And then, if beasts are a monster, are humanoids as well?
The combat rules apply to all in the game, both PC, NPC and monsters alike.
Humanoids are a monsters type too. But may not always be, depending on the format they take. If a character format, then it's NPC or PC, If it's a monster's statblock, then it's a monster.
Ranger's beast companion comes in monster format.
Very well. So the rules in the combat chapter apply to all creatures, even when using the word “you”. The rules tell us that all creatures make death saving throws when they get to zero hit points. The rules then give the DM permission to have “monsters” die right away. They don’t say that monsters die right away. They don’t even say this little bit as a rule. It’s worded as an FYI what DMs do. If you remove this little FYI everything would make death saving throws. The FYI allows the DM to ignore this rule. It’s not the rule.
I chuckled a number of times at this one. It's a case of someone's companion dying and not getting a save, by all appearances and looking for a RaW to rules lawyer they SHOULD have gotten death saves instead. This would likely resurface during a fight, where 3-4 enemies have been taken down, and one of their allies casts Mass Healing Word to bring them all back and TPK the party.
It's RaW that everything gets death saves, sure. It's also clearly stated that many/most DM's have "monsters" die when they hit 0 hp. Chasing the term "monster" for specific, detailed rules is grasping at straws, really, trying to increase DM work load (uh, ok, so the Wolf is a Beast, so NOT monster, so he gets a death save, but the hydra is a monster, so it doesn't, and the werewolf......well, he is a monster when in any form except human form, so what form was he in when he went to 0 hp? uh, um, er...give me a minute) Anything the party fights against is dead at 0 HP. PC's get death saves and companions are DM discretion. That's how it USUALLY works and is outlined in the RaW. To clarify much further would likely add another 4-5 pages of "except, or including, or only when.."
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Talk to your Players.Talk to your DM. If more people used this advice, there would be 24.74% fewer threads on Tactics, Rules and DM discussions.
The real problem is when you have an intelligent monster you bring to 0 and then the DM gives it death throws you aren’t aware of and it makes them and flees to its hard of healing potions after you move on then comes back for round 2 😁😳
The real problem is when you have an intelligent monster you bring to 0 and then the DM gives it death throws you aren’t aware of and it makes them and flees to its hard of healing potions after you move on then comes back for round 2 😁😳
Where one see a problem, another see an opportunity. Recurring enemies can be fun i say ☺
The real problem is when you have an intelligent monster you bring to 0 and then the DM gives it death throws you aren’t aware of and it makes them and flees to its hard of healing potions after you move on then comes back for round 2 😁😳
Because the DM isn't being consistent. If any monster is going to have death saves the players should know that the possibility exists, giving them the choice to use more action economy on "finishing off", or to fight those that remain.
A companion is neither a NPC or monster.
A companion is either one or the other i'd say. If said companion is character, it's an NPC and if it's a beast, it's a monster.
Ok. So where are the rules that tell us how combat, actions, bonus actions, reactions, movement, etc., works for “monsters” and NPCs?
The Basic rules? The same rules that describe monster's type such as beast.
I don’t think I ask very clearly. If the rules in the combat chapter are only for player characters, where are the rules specifically for “monsters“?
And then, if beasts are a monster, are humanoids as well?
The combat rules apply to all in the game, both PC, NPC and monsters alike.
Humanoids are a monsters type too. But may not always be, depending on the format they take. If a character format, then it's NPC or PC, If it's a monster's statblock, then it's a monster.
Ranger's beast companion comes in monster format.
The statblock of the creature and basic rules.
You use said statblock for the companion
Very well. So the rules in the combat chapter apply to all creatures, even when using the word “you”. The rules tell us that all creatures make death saving throws when they get to zero hit points. The rules then give the DM permission to have “monsters” die right away. They don’t say that monsters die right away. They don’t even say this little bit as a rule. It’s worded as an FYI what DMs do. If you remove this little FYI everything would make death saving throws. The FYI allows the DM to ignore this rule. It’s not the rule.
Then make sure to roll death saves for every creature in every encounter or you are breaking "RAW"....
Overall its obviously not the case as its ultimately up to the DM on who rolls them.
Yes! Exactly! That is RAW. With the “ok” for DMs to avoid it if the choose to.
Then its ok to avoid for companion as well.....
LOL!
It's a guideline written in rulebook, which most DMs do run for Monsters & Death. Are you DM or player if i may ask?
If you're DM, you may rule it one way or another.
If you're player, you may accept your DM's ruling.
Both. A DM could do anything, regardless of the rules.
It's part of the rules for the DM to avoid certain death saves.
I chuckled a number of times at this one. It's a case of someone's companion dying and not getting a save, by all appearances and looking for a RaW to rules lawyer they SHOULD have gotten death saves instead. This would likely resurface during a fight, where 3-4 enemies have been taken down, and one of their allies casts Mass Healing Word to bring them all back and TPK the party.
It's RaW that everything gets death saves, sure. It's also clearly stated that many/most DM's have "monsters" die when they hit 0 hp. Chasing the term "monster" for specific, detailed rules is grasping at straws, really, trying to increase DM work load (uh, ok, so the Wolf is a Beast, so NOT monster, so he gets a death save, but the hydra is a monster, so it doesn't, and the werewolf......well, he is a monster when in any form except human form, so what form was he in when he went to 0 hp? uh, um, er...give me a minute) Anything the party fights against is dead at 0 HP. PC's get death saves and companions are DM discretion. That's how it USUALLY works and is outlined in the RaW. To clarify much further would likely add another 4-5 pages of "except, or including, or only when.."
Talk to your Players. Talk to your DM. If more people used this advice, there would be 24.74% fewer threads on Tactics, Rules and DM discussions.
The real problem is when you have an intelligent monster you bring to 0 and then the DM gives it death throws you aren’t aware of and it makes them and flees to its hard of healing potions after you move on then comes back for round 2 😁😳
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
Where one see a problem, another see an opportunity. Recurring enemies can be fun i say ☺
Why would that be a problem?
Because the DM isn't being consistent. If any monster is going to have death saves the players should know that the possibility exists, giving them the choice to use more action economy on "finishing off", or to fight those that remain.