The main purpose of combat healing in 5e is to bring a downed character back up, which only requires 1 point of healing. Lay on hands can certainly do that (it's not ideal, but it's adequate).
Really, at level 1 healing isn't a major consideration because the party has very small HP pools. And, as has been said, combat healing in general is not the kind of party staple you'd think on first blush; the design is structured towards short encounters, so most of the time it's more effective to use an action to attack the enemy rather than heal an ally, again particularly in early levels. A paladin is fairly well set to provide supplemental healing to a party of four; short rests are good for a relatively quick post-battle patch up as well.
So paladin reviving unconscious characters then everyone short resting should suffice?
Yes, definitely. Try to fully restore an ally’s HP in the middle of the combat is usually underwhelming because he will be attacked again and you action will probably be wasted.
Best use for Lay on Hands is to revive an unconscious ally. Best way to do it is to ready your action to go just before the unconscious ally, give him 1 HP and then he will be able to get back on his feet and try to do something useful. Awareness of turn order is key to make the most of your healing skills.
I mean.. it entirely depends on how you design your encounters. Quite honestly, combat is not balanced for level 1 characters just in general, so I never have my players fight until they are at least level 2 (one critical hit can insta-kill a level 1 character).
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The paladin is part of the party of 4.
If not enough, what healing do they need?
The main purpose of combat healing in 5e is to bring a downed character back up, which only requires 1 point of healing. Lay on hands can certainly do that (it's not ideal, but it's adequate).
So paladin reviving unconscious characters then everyone short resting should suffice?
Really, at level 1 healing isn't a major consideration because the party has very small HP pools. And, as has been said, combat healing in general is not the kind of party staple you'd think on first blush; the design is structured towards short encounters, so most of the time it's more effective to use an action to attack the enemy rather than heal an ally, again particularly in early levels. A paladin is fairly well set to provide supplemental healing to a party of four; short rests are good for a relatively quick post-battle patch up as well.
If resting and Lay on Hand isn't sufficient healing to your party of 4, getting potion of healing or Cure Wounds next level should help
Yes, definitely. Try to fully restore an ally’s HP in the middle of the combat is usually underwhelming because he will be attacked again and you action will probably be wasted.
Best use for Lay on Hands is to revive an unconscious ally. Best way to do it is to ready your action to go just before the unconscious ally, give him 1 HP and then he will be able to get back on his feet and try to do something useful. Awareness of turn order is key to make the most of your healing skills.
I mean.. it entirely depends on how you design your encounters. Quite honestly, combat is not balanced for level 1 characters just in general, so I never have my players fight until they are at least level 2 (one critical hit can insta-kill a level 1 character).