When you take damage from a source that would kill any mortal, humanoid being, such as falling hundreds of feet, jumping in lava, being buried in a cave in, etc., you are treated as if you had one-quarter of your hit point maximum, or your hit point maximum at first level, whichever is greater. This number is your Effective Hit Point Maximum. If you take damage in excess of your effective hit point maximum, you drop to zero hit points no matter how many hit points you have. Damage in excess of twice your effective hit point maximum kills you instantly.
I think that this rule solves the problem of how 20th level characters can survive things that should kill any human, which is not realistic and makes those types of threats boring. Why would a fighter with 200 health be worried about falling 1000 feet if they'll only take 70 damage?
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Effective Hit Points
When you take damage from a source that would kill any mortal, humanoid being, such as falling hundreds of feet, jumping in lava, being buried in a cave in, etc., you are treated as if you had one-quarter of your hit point maximum, or your hit point maximum at first level, whichever is greater. This number is your Effective Hit Point Maximum. If you take damage in excess of your effective hit point maximum, you drop to zero hit points no matter how many hit points you have. Damage in excess of twice your effective hit point maximum kills you instantly.
I think that this rule solves the problem of how 20th level characters can survive things that should kill any human, which is not realistic and makes those types of threats boring. Why would a fighter with 200 health be worried about falling 1000 feet if they'll only take 70 damage?