I made a homebrew rule but I want feedback on how to balance it and make it better. Basically, in my Post by Post campaign death saves take way too long. Also, I find it kind of annoying how PCs either die, or no lasting effect happens. So, here's my rule to fix all of those problems.
When a PC drops to 0 hit points, they roll 3 death saves on their next turn. If the player succeeds all three saves (17% chance), their PC is revived at 0 hit points. If the player succeeds two out of the three saves (41% chance), a temporary debuff is added to their PC which goes away after 1d4 long rests. If the player succeeds only one save (33% chance), a permanent debuff is added to their PC. Finally, if the player does not succeed a single save (9% chance), their PC dies.
Temporary Debuff Rolling Table (1d8)
1
Broken Arm. The PC adds -2 to all STR rolls. They lose 1d8 hit points if they use the broken arm.
2
Broken Leg. The PC’s walking speed is reduced by 10 ft. and they add -2 to all DEX rolls. They lose 1d8 hit points if they use the broken leg.
3
Concussion. The PC adds -2 to all INT and WIS rolls.
4
Second Degree Burn. The PC’s max health is reduced by 2 times their player level and they lose 1d8 hit points every time the burn comes into contact with a liquid.
5
Trauma. The PC adds -2 to all initiative and attack rolls.
6
Hearing Loss. The PC gains the deafened condition.
7
Blindness. The PC gains the blinded condition.
8
Knocked Out. The PC is still revived at 0 hit points but gains the unconscious condition until the next long rest. Forgo the 1d4 roll.
Permanent Debuff Rolling Table (1d6)
1
Loss of an Arm. The PC cannot use one of their arms (DM’s choice) and adds -2 to all STR rolls.
2
Loss of a Leg. The PC cannot use one of their legs (DM’s choice). Their walking speed is reduced by 10 ft. and they add -2 to all DEX rolls.
3
Brain Damage. The PC adds -2 to all INT and WIS rolls.
4
Third Degree Burn. The PC’s max health is reduced by 2 times their player level and they lose 1d8 hit points every time the burn comes into contact with a liquid.
5
PTSD. The PC adds -2 to all initiative and attack rolls.
6
Fragility. The PC’s carrying capacity is reduced by 5 times their strength score and their push, drag, and lift capacity is reduced by 10 times their strength score. The PC’s armor class is reduced by 2.
Anyways, feedback on how to improve this (especially the debuff tables) would be appreciated. Also, I only made rolling tables because that's what everyone else does. I'll probably just pick an option based on what made the PC drop to 0 HP.
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ducks are cool
DM: Pax Romana - A Historical Homebrew Campaign
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I made a homebrew rule but I want feedback on how to balance it and make it better. Basically, in my Post by Post campaign death saves take way too long. Also, I find it kind of annoying how PCs either die, or no lasting effect happens. So, here's my rule to fix all of those problems.
When a PC drops to 0 hit points, they roll 3 death saves on their next turn. If the player succeeds all three saves (17% chance), their PC is revived at 0 hit points. If the player succeeds two out of the three saves (41% chance), a temporary debuff is added to their PC which goes away after 1d4 long rests. If the player succeeds only one save (33% chance), a permanent debuff is added to their PC. Finally, if the player does not succeed a single save (9% chance), their PC dies.
Temporary Debuff Rolling Table (1d8)
1
Broken Arm. The PC adds -2 to all STR rolls. They lose 1d8 hit points if they use the broken arm.
2
Broken Leg. The PC’s walking speed is reduced by 10 ft. and they add -2 to all DEX rolls. They lose 1d8 hit points if they use the broken leg.
3
Concussion. The PC adds -2 to all INT and WIS rolls.
4
Second Degree Burn. The PC’s max health is reduced by 2 times their player level and they lose 1d8 hit points every time the burn comes into contact with a liquid.
5
Trauma. The PC adds -2 to all initiative and attack rolls.
6
Hearing Loss. The PC gains the deafened condition.
7
Blindness. The PC gains the blinded condition.
8
Knocked Out. The PC is still revived at 0 hit points but gains the unconscious condition until the next long rest. Forgo the 1d4 roll.
Permanent Debuff Rolling Table (1d6)
1
Loss of an Arm. The PC cannot use one of their arms (DM’s choice) and adds -2 to all STR rolls.
2
Loss of a Leg. The PC cannot use one of their legs (DM’s choice). Their walking speed is reduced by 10 ft. and they add -2 to all DEX rolls.
3
Brain Damage. The PC adds -2 to all INT and WIS rolls.
4
Third Degree Burn. The PC’s max health is reduced by 2 times their player level and they lose 1d8 hit points every time the burn comes into contact with a liquid.
5
PTSD. The PC adds -2 to all initiative and attack rolls.
6
Fragility. The PC’s carrying capacity is reduced by 5 times their strength score and their push, drag, and lift capacity is reduced by 10 times their strength score. The PC’s armor class is reduced by 2.
Anyways, feedback on how to improve this (especially the debuff tables) would be appreciated. Also, I only made rolling tables because that's what everyone else does. I'll probably just pick an option based on what made the PC drop to 0 HP.
ducks are cool
DM: Pax Romana - A Historical Homebrew Campaign