Well yes, if you use Moonbeam on a Vampire in misty form, you force him to have a Constitution saving throw (by the way the Vampire has advantage for STR, DEX and CON saving throws while in misty form). If it fails, it reverts in humanoid form and takes damage. If it automatically dies or simply falls unconscious depends on the type of damage it has taken during the combat. The Vampire has the Regeneration traits for all the damage types except for radiant damage or holy water.
So, if it fails the Moonbeam saving throw, it falls unconscious and start regenerating all the non-radiant and non-holy-water damages. Remember that misty escape does not work in sunlight.
So since, in the scenario of being reduced to 0 HP, the Moonbeam spell hits, causes radiant damage and if it fails the throw it reverts to humanoid form. All assuming it doesn't use it's Legendary Save.
Given that a Vampire cannot regenerate the next turn from radiant damage, it's basically going to just lay their unconscious, then wake up the next round with 20 HP unless the party keeps pouring on the radiant, holy water, running water, sunlight damage.
So at what point does this thing go from undead to dead dead?
If I'm reading this right, you reduce it to 0 HP and keep it from returning to the coffin for two hours. That's the only way to kill a vampire. Even if you stake it you just paralyze it. If you put more damage on it, it would change to it's misty form and return to the coffin. If you stake it in the coffin it's paralzyed but not dead, right?
I plan on putting my party through a vampire encounter and tripped across this thread this morning. So I want my ducks in a row. :D
It only regenerates if it has 1 hit point or more, so in that scenario it will never regenerate until/unless it reaches its resting place/coffin. I personally would rule it dead then and there, but if it has any minions nearby that would be able to get it to its resting place, I don't see why a jerk DM couldn't have the minion abscond with the body in hopes of reviving its master. It would teach the PCs a lesson, but I'm not sure how much it would progress a story (though tracking the minion down before it gets a chance to revive its master might be a worthwhile adventure in and of itself). But, if they have already tracked the vampire to its lair and manage to stop it from transforming, I wouldn't make them THEN also have to dispose of the body. Killing a true vampire is supposed to be a great and difficult encounter, the aftermath shouldn't be a chore to make sure it's dead.
Also remember, it only triggers the Misty Escape if it is dropped to 0 HP OUTSIDE of its resting place. Meaning, if it is alive in its coffin, you can then kill it inside its coffin and it won't trigger the Misty Escape. That's why paralyzing it inside its coffin is important. You can paralyze it inside the coffin and then hack away until it's at 0 and it simply dies.
I think that's the "assumed" main goal of the Vampire encounter in the MM, to kill it in its lair thus killing the vampire AND clearing the entire area out for good. Vampires in the open present so many questions and problems (as can be seen by all the comments in this thread)
“It is a better world. A place where we are responsible for our actions, where we can be kind to one another because we want to and because it is the right thing to do instead of being frightened into behaving by the threat of divine punishment.” ― Oramis, Eldest by Christopher Paolini.
Right. I have to rectify some things i have said before.
The vampire's regeneration trait say it can regenerate all the damage types. For radiant and holy water damage the regeneration is only delayed by 1 round.
Regeneration. The vampire regains 20 hit points at the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point and isn't in sunlight or running water. If the vampire takes radiant damage or damage from holy water, this trait doesn't function at the start of the vampire's next turn.
So to kill a vampire you have to knock it unconscious and prevent it to use misty escape, bringing it in sunlight or far away from its coffin.
Well yes, if you use Moonbeam on a Vampire in misty form, you force him to have a Constitution saving throw (by the way the Vampire has advantage for STR, DEX and CON saving throws while in misty form). If it fails, it reverts in humanoid form and takes damage. If it automatically dies or simply falls unconscious depends on the type of damage it has taken during the combat. The Vampire has the Regeneration traits for all the damage types except for radiant damage or holy water.
So, if it fails the Moonbeam saving throw, it falls unconscious and start regenerating all the non-radiant and non-holy-water damages. Remember that misty escape does not work in sunlight.
Vampire has to have 1 hit point in order to regenerate.
When I read the misty escape feature it says that the vampire can't transform into mist in sunlight... I actually never concluded from that that the vampire couldn't move into sunlight.
As far as I can tell the only questionable things about vampires is whether or not it has the physical capability to return to human form from an outside spell. Should it return to human form does misty escape then trigger? As mentioned it technically says when it drops to 0 hit points, thus if it is at 0 hp what happens when it becomes human again.
Yes, basically the only way to definitely kill a Vampire is to do all radiant/holy water damage. Or, once it is unconscious you just bring it in full sunlight.
Misty escape 100% works if cast before the vampire dies.
Ok, so reduce to 0 HP ,keep it from returning to coffin for two hours. Dead.
Burn with radiant damage, running water, sunlight, or holy water until at 0 HP. Dead.
Stake it in the coffin, reduce to 0 HP. Dead?
Immerse in running water until 0 HP. Dead.
Otherwsie paralyze, leave in the sun until 0 HP. Dead.
Any other ways or is that pretty much it? The Vampire entry really only states that keeping it from the coffin for two hours after reducing it to 0 HP is the only way to kill it.
Ok, so reduce to 0 HP ,keep it from returning to coffin for two hours. Dead.
Burn with radiant damage, running water, sunlight, or holy water until at 0 HP. Dead.
Stake it in the coffin, reduce to 0 HP. Dead?
Immerse in running water until 0 HP. Dead.
Otherwsie paralyze, leave in the sun until 0 HP. Dead.
Any other ways or is that pretty much it? The Vampire entry really only states that keeping it from the coffin for two hours after reducing it to 0 HP is the only way to kill it.
A wooden stake into the heart only incapacitates the vampire. For the rest, I'd say that is it.
So everyone is landing on that if the Vampire is hit with Moonbeam, it's reverted to humanoid form and dies?
Couldn't you rule that the effects of the spell do render it back from Misty form to humanoid, but unconscious? The whole point of the vampire turning into mist and then retreating back to it's coffin would be, IMO, to regenerate it's humanoid body. The effects of Moonbeam would force the reversion back to humanoid and essentially start the clock running or because it is outside the coffin maybe it can't regenerate (because it's not in it's coffin) and cannot move(because 0 HP)?
So then the party would make with the head cutting and wooden staking or magic cirlcing or sunbathing etc.
So everyone is landing on that if the Vampire is hit with Moonbeam, it's reverted to humanoid form and dies?
Couldn't you rule that the effects of the spell do render it back from Misty form to humanoid, but unconscious? The whole point of the vampire turning into mist and then retreating back to it's coffin would be, IMO, to regenerate it's humanoid body. The effects of Moonbeam would force the reversion back to humanoid and essentially start the clock running or because it is outside the coffin maybe it can't regenerate (because it's not in it's coffin) and cannot move(because 0 HP)?
So then the party would make with the head cutting and wooden staking or magic cirlcing or sunbathing etc.
I've always viewed misty escape as more of an uncontrolled action to go into mist and instictly head back home with no actual thought on the vampires part.
From the early discussion I think most people sided worn the vampire going to human and then because he was at 0 hit points would revert back to mist... But since he can't he would die.
Ok, so reduce to 0 HP ,keep it from returning to coffin for two hours. Dead.
Burn with radiant damage, running water, sunlight, or holy water until at 0 HP. Dead.
Stake it in the coffin, reduce to 0 HP. Dead?
Immerse in running water until 0 HP. Dead.
Otherwsie paralyze, leave in the sun until 0 HP. Dead.
Any other ways or is that pretty much it? The Vampire entry really only states that keeping it from the coffin for two hours after reducing it to 0 HP is the only way to kill it.
A stake to the heart does not kill the vampire but will paralyze it if the vampire is in its coffin/home
So everyone is landing on that if the Vampire is hit with Moonbeam, it's reverted to humanoid form and dies?
Couldn't you rule that the effects of the spell do render it back from Misty form to humanoid, but unconscious? The whole point of the vampire turning into mist and then retreating back to it's coffin would be, IMO, to regenerate it's humanoid body. The effects of Moonbeam would force the reversion back to humanoid and essentially start the clock running or because it is outside the coffin maybe it can't regenerate (because it's not in it's coffin) and cannot move(because 0 HP)?
So then the party would make with the head cutting and wooden staking or magic cirlcing or sunbathing etc.
So everyone is landing on that if the Vampire is hit with Moonbeam, it's reverted to humanoid form and dies?
Couldn't you rule that the effects of the spell do render it back from Misty form to humanoid, but unconscious? The whole point of the vampire turning into mist and then retreating back to it's coffin would be, IMO, to regenerate it's humanoid body. The effects of Moonbeam would force the reversion back to humanoid and essentially start the clock running or because it is outside the coffin maybe it can't regenerate (because it's not in it's coffin) and cannot move(because 0 HP)?
So then the party would make with the head cutting and wooden staking or magic cirlcing or sunbathing etc.
I've always viewed misty escape as more of an uncontrolled action to go into mist and instictly head back home with no actual thought on the vampires part.
From the early discussion I think most people sided worn the vampire going to human and then because he was at 0 hit points would revert back to mist... But since he can't he would die.
Do you want to become a Sanguine vampire... or do you just want a taste? Whatever your desire, we can fulfill it! Contact our Elixir Vampire Home at elixirtemple@outlook.com
Be sure you want it, because there's no turning back... Our highly skilled vampires can alter your very essence, turning you into a real vampire.
Do you want to become a Sanguine vampire... or do you just want a taste? Whatever your desire, we can fulfill it! Contact our Elixir Vampire Home at elixirtemple@outlook.com
Be sure you want it, because there's no turning back... Our highly skilled vampires can alter your very essence, turning you into a real vampire.
How does one destroy a vampires coffin if it seems abandoned. And if the vampire is still alive what happens to them. Do they make a new coffin or are they notified that their only way to heal is gone.
Well yes, if you use Moonbeam on a Vampire in misty form, you force him to have a Constitution saving throw (by the way the Vampire has advantage for STR, DEX and CON saving throws while in misty form). If it fails, it reverts in humanoid form and takes damage. If it automatically dies or simply falls unconscious depends on the type of damage it has taken during the combat. The Vampire has the Regeneration traits for all the damage types except for radiant damage or holy water.
So, if it fails the Moonbeam saving throw, it falls unconscious and start regenerating all the non-radiant and non-holy-water damages. Remember that misty escape does not work in sunlight.
Two big problems here, Moonbeam takes effect when a creature enters it on it's turn or when it starts it's turn when Moonbeam is cast or moved on to it. Vampire most likely can use a legendary action immediately after it is targeted to move and may have other legendary actions left. The Moonbeam caster can't move the spell until next round. Misty Form says the vampire can take no actions, yet it can move at 20 ft per turn. Sounds to me since he can move outside of his own turn, Moonbeam is ineffective. I guess it depends on if you rule he loses his legendary actions.
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Well yes, if you use Moonbeam on a Vampire in misty form, you force him to have a Constitution saving throw (by the way the Vampire has advantage for STR, DEX and CON saving throws while in misty form). If it fails, it reverts in humanoid form and takes damage. If it automatically dies or simply falls unconscious depends on the type of damage it has taken during the combat. The Vampire has the Regeneration traits for all the damage types except for radiant damage or holy water.
So, if it fails the Moonbeam saving throw, it falls unconscious and start regenerating all the non-radiant and non-holy-water damages. Remember that misty escape does not work in sunlight.
So since, in the scenario of being reduced to 0 HP, the Moonbeam spell hits, causes radiant damage and if it fails the throw it reverts to humanoid form. All assuming it doesn't use it's Legendary Save.
Given that a Vampire cannot regenerate the next turn from radiant damage, it's basically going to just lay their unconscious, then wake up the next round with 20 HP unless the party keeps pouring on the radiant, holy water, running water, sunlight damage.
So at what point does this thing go from undead to dead dead?
If I'm reading this right, you reduce it to 0 HP and keep it from returning to the coffin for two hours. That's the only way to kill a vampire. Even if you stake it you just paralyze it. If you put more damage on it, it would change to it's misty form and return to the coffin. If you stake it in the coffin it's paralzyed but not dead, right?
I plan on putting my party through a vampire encounter and tripped across this thread this morning. So I want my ducks in a row. :D
Yes, basically the only way to definitely kill a Vampire is ...
EDIT: see comment below
It only regenerates if it has 1 hit point or more, so in that scenario it will never regenerate until/unless it reaches its resting place/coffin. I personally would rule it dead then and there, but if it has any minions nearby that would be able to get it to its resting place, I don't see why a jerk DM couldn't have the minion abscond with the body in hopes of reviving its master. It would teach the PCs a lesson, but I'm not sure how much it would progress a story (though tracking the minion down before it gets a chance to revive its master might be a worthwhile adventure in and of itself). But, if they have already tracked the vampire to its lair and manage to stop it from transforming, I wouldn't make them THEN also have to dispose of the body. Killing a true vampire is supposed to be a great and difficult encounter, the aftermath shouldn't be a chore to make sure it's dead.
Also remember, it only triggers the Misty Escape if it is dropped to 0 HP OUTSIDE of its resting place. Meaning, if it is alive in its coffin, you can then kill it inside its coffin and it won't trigger the Misty Escape. That's why paralyzing it inside its coffin is important. You can paralyze it inside the coffin and then hack away until it's at 0 and it simply dies.
I think that's the "assumed" main goal of the Vampire encounter in the MM, to kill it in its lair thus killing the vampire AND clearing the entire area out for good. Vampires in the open present so many questions and problems (as can be seen by all the comments in this thread)
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“It is a better world. A place where we are responsible for our actions, where we can be kind to one another because we want to and because it is the right thing to do instead of being frightened into behaving by the threat of divine punishment.” ― Oramis, Eldest by Christopher Paolini.
Right. I have to rectify some things i have said before.
The vampire's regeneration trait say it can regenerate all the damage types. For radiant and holy water damage the regeneration is only delayed by 1 round.
Regeneration. The vampire regains 20 hit points at the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point and isn't in sunlight or running water. If the vampire takes radiant damage or damage from holy water, this trait doesn't function at the start of the vampire's next turn.
So to kill a vampire you have to knock it unconscious and prevent it to use misty escape, bringing it in sunlight or far away from its coffin.
As far as I can tell the only questionable things about vampires is whether or not it has the physical capability to return to human form from an outside spell. Should it return to human form does misty escape then trigger? As mentioned it technically says when it drops to 0 hit points, thus if it is at 0 hp what happens when it becomes human again.
Ok, so reduce to 0 HP ,keep it from returning to coffin for two hours. Dead.
Burn with radiant damage, running water, sunlight, or holy water until at 0 HP. Dead.
Stake it in the coffin, reduce to 0 HP. Dead?
Immerse in running water until 0 HP. Dead.
Otherwsie paralyze, leave in the sun until 0 HP. Dead.
Any other ways or is that pretty much it? The Vampire entry really only states that keeping it from the coffin for two hours after reducing it to 0 HP is the only way to kill it.
So to sum up.
No way is wrong, be the DM they deserve, have fun?
Do you want to become a Sanguine vampire... or do you just want a taste?
Whatever your desire, we can fulfill it! Contact our Elixir Vampire Home at elixirtemple@outlook.com
Be sure you want it,
because there's
no turning back...
Our highly skilled vampires can alter your very essence, turning you
into a real vampire.
Do you want to become a Sanguine vampire... or do you just want a taste?
Whatever your desire, we can fulfill it! Contact our Elixir Vampire Home at elixirtemple@outlook.com
Be sure you want it,
because there's
no turning back...
Our highly skilled vampires can alter your very essence, turning you
into a real vampire.
Or, make life easy on yourself and destroy the coffin first...
How does one destroy a vampires coffin if it seems abandoned. And if the vampire is still alive what happens to them. Do they make a new coffin or are they notified that their only way to heal is gone.
I guess they will know when they get home and it's not there anymore.
"Not all those who wander are lost"
Two big problems here, Moonbeam takes effect when a creature enters it on it's turn or when it starts it's turn when Moonbeam is cast or moved on to it. Vampire most likely can use a legendary action immediately after it is targeted to move and may have other legendary actions left. The Moonbeam caster can't move the spell until next round. Misty Form says the vampire can take no actions, yet it can move at 20 ft per turn. Sounds to me since he can move outside of his own turn, Moonbeam is ineffective. I guess it depends on if you rule he loses his legendary actions.