Everything I suggest below is pure theory crafting game design, and all I want to do here is spitball the ideas with DM's and designers to see what works, what could work and what will be problematic. Advice to keep in mind before implementing this change, alternate ideas they might suggest, and advice to keep in mind *after* implementing X, Y, or Z is appreciated.
I've been reading up on 'Curse of Strahd' as I prepare to run the adventure for a group of 5 players who mean to take the adventure seriously. One of them is a DM who has played and run the adventure before but is comfortable working within the realms of player knowledge. I generally prefer a power level that is a bit above the standard 25 point bought array of 5th Edition, while likewise ensuring the challenge remains.
One thing I'm sad to see a loss of is ability score damage and level loss (even though I have some understanding and sympathy on why those mechanics are no longer there). Still, I want Strahd to have special ability that works something like this. If he can maintain a grapple for a full round, and sucks the blood from the PC in that time (bite attack), the character suffers either A) a general weakness to Strahd and his covey of vampires wherein: " they have disadvantage on attack rolls, ability checks, and saving throws" for so long as the condition is not treated. Removing this can be as simple as 1. casting a Lesser or Greater Restoration spell on them, 2. getting them away from the Vampire for 24 hours and fattening them up with good food and drink, or 3. something I haven't thought of yet (other spells, player creativity, etc.). Alternatively, B) I was wondering about applying a level of Exhaustion as from the list of Conditions (starts at level one exhaustion with disadvantage on ability checks, can end with death if 6 points in total are accrued). This is in addition to the damage dealt by the filthy bite and it's necrotic payload (1d6+4 (static 7) Piercing and 3d6 (static 10) Necrotic Damage. An alternative suggested by Mike Shea of SlyFlourish was to have the character's max HP total reduced by the amount of necrotic damage dealt. Any of these three options might have a Constitution Saving Throw DC 17 to resist.
All of this matches up well with what we see in classic Dracula films and books, where Lucy Westenra becomes progressively weaker and weaker as the Vampire feeds but through infusions of blood and healthy food & drink, she is able to recover (the relapse coming from a vampire might have been averted had the group been better armed and truly aware of the danger presented, rather than being skeptics).
Still, this is theory craft, and so I wanted to consult with DM's and assistant DM's here that might have a bit of advice to keep in mind before implementing this change, alterations they might suggest, and advice to keep in mind *after* implementing this change.
Well, target max hp is already reduced by necrotic damage taken. Other than that, monster attacks can do whatever you want, though the effects from Bestow Curse or Contagion could also be appropriate.
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Everything I suggest below is pure theory crafting game design, and all I want to do here is spitball the ideas with DM's and designers to see what works, what could work and what will be problematic. Advice to keep in mind before implementing this change, alternate ideas they might suggest, and advice to keep in mind *after* implementing X, Y, or Z is appreciated.
I've been reading up on 'Curse of Strahd' as I prepare to run the adventure for a group of 5 players who mean to take the adventure seriously. One of them is a DM who has played and run the adventure before but is comfortable working within the realms of player knowledge. I generally prefer a power level that is a bit above the standard 25 point bought array of 5th Edition, while likewise ensuring the challenge remains.
One thing I'm sad to see a loss of is ability score damage and level loss (even though I have some understanding and sympathy on why those mechanics are no longer there). Still, I want Strahd to have special ability that works something like this. If he can maintain a grapple for a full round, and sucks the blood from the PC in that time (bite attack), the character suffers either A) a general weakness to Strahd and his covey of vampires wherein: " they have disadvantage on attack rolls, ability checks, and saving throws" for so long as the condition is not treated. Removing this can be as simple as 1. casting a Lesser or Greater Restoration spell on them, 2. getting them away from the Vampire for 24 hours and fattening them up with good food and drink, or 3. something I haven't thought of yet (other spells, player creativity, etc.). Alternatively, B) I was wondering about applying a level of Exhaustion as from the list of Conditions (starts at level one exhaustion with disadvantage on ability checks, can end with death if 6 points in total are accrued). This is in addition to the damage dealt by the filthy bite and it's necrotic payload (1d6+4 (static 7) Piercing and 3d6 (static 10) Necrotic Damage. An alternative suggested by Mike Shea of SlyFlourish was to have the character's max HP total reduced by the amount of necrotic damage dealt. Any of these three options might have a Constitution Saving Throw DC 17 to resist.
All of this matches up well with what we see in classic Dracula films and books, where Lucy Westenra becomes progressively weaker and weaker as the Vampire feeds but through infusions of blood and healthy food & drink, she is able to recover (the relapse coming from a vampire might have been averted had the group been better armed and truly aware of the danger presented, rather than being skeptics).
Still, this is theory craft, and so I wanted to consult with DM's and assistant DM's here that might have a bit of advice to keep in mind before implementing this change, alterations they might suggest, and advice to keep in mind *after* implementing this change.
Well, target max hp is already reduced by necrotic damage taken. Other than that, monster attacks can do whatever you want, though the effects from Bestow Curse or Contagion could also be appropriate.