"A creature can hold its breath for a number of minutes equal to 1 + its Constitution modifier (minimum of 30 seconds)."
But this is an eternity in combat. Most combats will be over before even the minimum 30 seconds. And creatures still get more rounds to survive after this.
I'm thinking of ruling that taking an action while holding your breath consumes 30 seconds of your breath. We know that exceptional people can hold their breath for multiple minutes, but they do only low exertion activity (trained free divers can kick gently for the surface, for example). If you've ever tried to do vigorous activity while underwater, you know it's harder than just floating still under the water. If you're actively in combat while holding your breath, you're likely to run out in a few rounds.
I think this would make a fight with a Water Weird way more exciting. The Water Weird grapples you and drags you deeper into the water. Do you try to break the grapple, consuming precious air, or do you hold your breath and wait for your friends to come to your rescue?
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The official rules are
"A creature can hold its breath for a number of minutes equal to 1 + its Constitution modifier (minimum of 30 seconds)."
But this is an eternity in combat. Most combats will be over before even the minimum 30 seconds. And creatures still get more rounds to survive after this.
I'm thinking of ruling that taking an action while holding your breath consumes 30 seconds of your breath. We know that exceptional people can hold their breath for multiple minutes, but they do only low exertion activity (trained free divers can kick gently for the surface, for example). If you've ever tried to do vigorous activity while underwater, you know it's harder than just floating still under the water. If you're actively in combat while holding your breath, you're likely to run out in a few rounds.
I think this would make a fight with a Water Weird way more exciting. The Water Weird grapples you and drags you deeper into the water. Do you try to break the grapple, consuming precious air, or do you hold your breath and wait for your friends to come to your rescue?