We are playing Mad Mage. One of my group was nearly dropped to an attribute score of zero Strength when attacked by a certain monster. (No spoilers!) The module calls for death if this threshold is reached, but another player wondered why that means an instant death when characters are otherwise given three chances to save when reduced to zero hit points? Can someone explain this sensibly? Thanks!
We are playing Mad Mage. One of my group was nearly dropped to an attribute score of zero Strength when attacked by a certain monster. (No spoilers!) The module calls for death if this threshold is reached, but another player wondered why that means an instant death when characters are otherwise given three chances to save when reduced to zero hit points? Can someone explain this sensibly? Thanks!
When every muscle in your body fails you die. There are real life conditions that cause muscle failures and too many failing mean severe health complications and even death. Everything in your body moves through some form of muscles with some form of strength, even if only a tiny amount. Your heart beats are from the strength of the heart, which is a muscle. If you have 0 strength, you don't have the strength to expand your chest to draw in breath or beat your heart, you have complete muscular failure - you die.
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The ability you're talking about doesn't reduce the target to 0 hit points, which is the condition that triggers death saves.
There are creatures that drain stats and usually have a condition where if it drains a stat to 0 the target dies. The reason why they die may vary.
That's my point. The OP is asking why the ability is an insta-kill "when characters are otherwise given three chances to save when reduced to zero hit points." The sensible answer is that the ability doesn't reduce the target to 0 hit points. It just kills the target.
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We are playing Mad Mage. One of my group was nearly dropped to an attribute score of zero Strength when attacked by a certain monster. (No spoilers!) The module calls for death if this threshold is reached, but another player wondered why that means an instant death when characters are otherwise given three chances to save when reduced to zero hit points? Can someone explain this sensibly? Thanks!
The ability you're talking about doesn't reduce the target to 0 hit points, which is the condition that triggers death saves.
There are creatures that drain stats and usually have a condition where if it drains a stat to 0 the target dies. The reason why they die may vary.
When every muscle in your body fails you die. There are real life conditions that cause muscle failures and too many failing mean severe health complications and even death. Everything in your body moves through some form of muscles with some form of strength, even if only a tiny amount. Your heart beats are from the strength of the heart, which is a muscle. If you have 0 strength, you don't have the strength to expand your chest to draw in breath or beat your heart, you have complete muscular failure - you die.
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
That was very well put.
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
That's my point. The OP is asking why the ability is an insta-kill "when characters are otherwise given three chances to save when reduced to zero hit points." The sensible answer is that the ability doesn't reduce the target to 0 hit points. It just kills the target.