Note, also, that all healing spells have become more powerful, so it's actually quite well balanced.
The Potion of Healing is now comparable to Healing Word, with the advantage that anyone can use it (not just casters), but the disadvantage that it must be used at Touch range.
And the price to brew the potion is the same as the price to scribe a Healing Word scroll.
It was never about the amount of healing for me, it's just silly to think you can pull out a flask, uncork it and drink it without losing any time or getting attacked.
It's probably going to apply to all potions, since that's how it works in Baldur's Gate 3, and that game served as a sort of testing ground for other ideas like Weapon Masteries.
It was never about the amount of healing for me, it's just silly to think you can pull out a flask, uncork it and drink it without losing any time or getting attacked.
One of the examples of your free action in 2014 rules set was to drink an entire pint of beer.... granted chugging a pint in 6 sec isn't that impressive, but making an argument that a healing point shouldn't take a full action is very reasonable, and the bonus action change is most welcome.
Drinking a potion isn't just drinking the liquid, it's activating a spell (contained in the liquid). That was the reasoning for making it an action to drink them previously. Allowing them to be consumed as a Bonus Action, means someone could drink a healing potion AND cast a healing spell in the same round.
I'm not a fan of the bonus action potions, this isn't a video game.
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Playing D&D since 1982
Have played every version of the game since Basic (Red Box Set), except that abomination sometimes called 4e.
Drinking a potion isn't just drinking the liquid, it's activating a spell (contained in the liquid). That was the reasoning for making it an action to drink them previously. Allowing them to be consumed as a Bonus Action, means someone could drink a healing potion AND cast a healing spell in the same round.
I'm not a fan of the bonus action potions, this isn't a video game.
It's not super realistic, I agree on that.
Some actions that were more or less time-consuming in 2014, like Lay on Hands or Wholeness of Body, are now bonus actions. We could also argue that, as swift actions, this isn't very realistic.
I like the changes, tough.
Interestingly, I was curious and checked, and it turns out those two examples I mentioned are actually actions in BG3.
It's probably going to apply to all potions, since that's how it works in Baldur's Gate 3, and that game served as a sort of testing ground for other ideas like Weapon Masteries.
And if the decision is made that this only applies to healing potions and not all potions, I'd really have to wonder about the logic.
In world logic? Yes, it doesn't make much sense. Game logic? It absolutely makes sense. (Mostly) minor healing is very different than suddenly gaining concentration-free flight or haste. It's two different game mechanics that are crammed into one delivery device.
2014 erred on the side of world logic. Concentration-free spell effects are too powerful to be gained through a bonus action, so potions can't be a bonus action. 2024 is addressing the way that this rule made healing potions terrible.
If you want in-game logic, just say that you need to consume the entirety of a potion to gain its full effect. Since healing potions are a roll, you can slam it, miss some, and still get some of the effect. But for flight you need to drink every drop or you don't fly.
Personally I'm sticking with the houserule we made years ago: roll the dice when you drink healing potions as a bonus action, heal the max amount when you drink them as an action. Fits the logic, provides choices when you're in a tight spot, and makes healing potions useful.
Just Healing potions or ALL potions? And, if it's just healing potions...why?
Thanks!
There are no other potions in the 2024 rules, so who can say?
As for why, because players kept complaining.
The Forum Infestation (TM)
It was one of the most common house rules so they just made it official.
Note, also, that all healing spells have become more powerful, so it's actually quite well balanced.
The Potion of Healing is now comparable to Healing Word, with the advantage that anyone can use it (not just casters), but the disadvantage that it must be used at Touch range.
And the price to brew the potion is the same as the price to scribe a Healing Word scroll.
It was never about the amount of healing for me, it's just silly to think you can pull out a flask, uncork it and drink it without losing any time or getting attacked.
The Forum Infestation (TM)
Agreed.
And if the decision is made that this only applies to healing potions and not all potions, I'd really have to wonder about the logic.
Now, if we were talking Fallout-style stimpaks, I'd be all in :)
It's probably going to apply to all potions, since that's how it works in Baldur's Gate 3, and that game served as a sort of testing ground for other ideas like Weapon Masteries.
The Forum Infestation (TM)
One of the examples of your free action in 2014 rules set was to drink an entire pint of beer.... granted chugging a pint in 6 sec isn't that impressive, but making an argument that a healing point shouldn't take a full action is very reasonable, and the bonus action change is most welcome.
Drinking a potion isn't just drinking the liquid, it's activating a spell (contained in the liquid). That was the reasoning for making it an action to drink them previously. Allowing them to be consumed as a Bonus Action, means someone could drink a healing potion AND cast a healing spell in the same round.
I'm not a fan of the bonus action potions, this isn't a video game.
Playing D&D since 1982
Have played every version of the game since Basic (Red Box Set), except that abomination sometimes called 4e.
It's not super realistic, I agree on that.
Some actions that were more or less time-consuming in 2014, like Lay on Hands or Wholeness of Body, are now bonus actions. We could also argue that, as swift actions, this isn't very realistic.
I like the changes, tough.
Interestingly, I was curious and checked, and it turns out those two examples I mentioned are actually actions in BG3.
You nailed it: Treasure - Potions
In world logic? Yes, it doesn't make much sense. Game logic? It absolutely makes sense. (Mostly) minor healing is very different than suddenly gaining concentration-free flight or haste. It's two different game mechanics that are crammed into one delivery device.
2014 erred on the side of world logic. Concentration-free spell effects are too powerful to be gained through a bonus action, so potions can't be a bonus action. 2024 is addressing the way that this rule made healing potions terrible.
If you want in-game logic, just say that you need to consume the entirety of a potion to gain its full effect. Since healing potions are a roll, you can slam it, miss some, and still get some of the effect. But for flight you need to drink every drop or you don't fly.
Personally I'm sticking with the houserule we made years ago: roll the dice when you drink healing potions as a bonus action, heal the max amount when you drink them as an action. Fits the logic, provides choices when you're in a tight spot, and makes healing potions useful.
My homebrew subclasses (full list here)
(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm