Not sure if this is intended, but in 2014 harm specified that hit points could not be reduced below 1, whereas 2024 harm specifies that max hit points cannot be reduced below 1. I wonder if this is a deliberate change, or a error when fixing a problem with the old version (which, technically, allowed reducing max hp below 1, even though hp couldn't be reduced below 1).
Yep. The wording on the 2014 version was meant to make sure a creature's HP maximum couldn't drop to 0 (or less). The side effect of the wording was that you couldn't knock an enemy to 0 current hit points (a silly restriction, really). The new wording has gotten rid of this side effect.
Yep. The wording on the 2014 version was meant to make sure a creature's HP maximum couldn't drop to 0 (or less). The side effect of the wording was that you couldn't knock an enemy to 0 current hit points (a silly restriction, really). The new wording has gotten rid of this side effect.
I would have to disagree, the main point of the 2014 spell was that it would not kill the target (not sure why that would be silly) but they failed to realise that it allowed for HPmax to be reduced to 0. I'm guessing that is because they didn't focus much on HPmax then (the 2014 rules didn't even specify that having your HPmax reduced to 0 meant instant death).
The 2024 spell stops insta-death but allows you to be knocked unconscious.
Sort of unless 2024 changed it, generally only PCs get death saves most people die at 0. Historically its a spell that hurt but did not kill, it used to be pretty boss though when it was created it was pre-massive hit point pools, but it would just drop a enemy to 1d4 hitpoints, So that is a lot of legacy for it being a high damage but non lethal spell.
Back in AD&D, harm would just reduce its target to 1d4 hp (regardless of starting value). It was reduced to limited (but large) damage that couldn't reduce the target below 1 HP in 3.5e. So there's a long history on "dramatic damage, but can't actually KO or kill"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Not sure if this is intended, but in 2014 harm specified that hit points could not be reduced below 1, whereas 2024 harm specifies that max hit points cannot be reduced below 1. I wonder if this is a deliberate change, or a error when fixing a problem with the old version (which, technically, allowed reducing max hp below 1, even though hp couldn't be reduced below 1).
Yep. The wording on the 2014 version was meant to make sure a creature's HP maximum couldn't drop to 0 (or less). The side effect of the wording was that you couldn't knock an enemy to 0 current hit points (a silly restriction, really). The new wording has gotten rid of this side effect.
I would have to disagree, the main point of the 2014 spell was that it would not kill the target (not sure why that would be silly) but they failed to realise that it allowed for HPmax to be reduced to 0. I'm guessing that is because they didn't focus much on HPmax then (the 2014 rules didn't even specify that having your HPmax reduced to 0 meant instant death).
The 2024 spell stops insta-death but allows you to be knocked unconscious.
Sort of unless 2024 changed it, generally only PCs get death saves most people die at 0. Historically its a spell that hurt but did not kill, it used to be pretty boss though when it was created it was pre-massive hit point pools, but it would just drop a enemy to 1d4 hitpoints, So that is a lot of legacy for it being a high damage but non lethal spell.
Back in AD&D, harm would just reduce its target to 1d4 hp (regardless of starting value). It was reduced to limited (but large) damage that couldn't reduce the target below 1 HP in 3.5e. So there's a long history on "dramatic damage, but can't actually KO or kill"