I am not sure if the question was asked before but i was wondering how temp HP properly works in different cases:
1. full HP and adding temp HP: makes sense if that PC got it temp HP got deducted first 2. e.g. 20/40 HP and i used any spell with temp HP. what would happen now? the same question would apply for example like reactions like tomb of levistus
Temp HP is a separate pool from regular HP, they don't combine
Temp HP doesn't count as HP for the purpose of things that care about HP (such as when you're at 0 HP
When you take damage, you remove Temp HP first, the regular HP
Temp HP doesn't stack; if you have Temp HP and gain Temp HP from a different source, you choose if that replaces the Temp HP you already have, or if you keep the existing pool.
The best way to think of Temp HP as being like an abstraction of various defensive buffs and bonuses; a ward against damage, a temporary shield, an invigoration of energy or a reserve of stamina.
Temporary HP are always on top of and separate from whatever your current HP are, and different instances temporary HP don’t stack with each other. The highest value takes sole effect.
If you have 20/40 HP and gain 5 temp HP, you now have 20 HP and 5 temp HP. If you then take 2 damage, it’s applied to the temp HP first, you’re at 20 HP and 3 temp HP. If you then gain another 5 temp HP, you’re back to 20 HP and 5 temp HP, since 5 is greater than the 3 you had before. If you’re then healed for 9 HP, you’re at 29 HP and 5 temp HP.
Temporary HP are always on top of and separate from whatever your current HP are, and different instances temporary HP don’t stack with each other. The highest value takes sole effect.
If you have 20/40 HP and gain 5 temp HP, you now have 20 HP and 5 temp HP. If you then take 2 damage, it’s applied to the temp HP first, you’re at 20 HP and 3 temp HP. If you then gain another 5 temp HP, you’re back to 20 HP and 5 temp HP, since 5 is greater than the 3 you had before. If you’re then healed for 9 HP, you’re at 29 HP and 5 temp HP.
Strictly speaking, when you gain the last 5 temp hp you have the choice of taking the 5 or keeping the 3. This is mostly only relevant for armor of agathys as the extra damage goes away if you change your source of temp hp.
Hi
I am not sure if the question was asked before but i was wondering how temp HP properly works in different cases:
1. full HP and adding temp HP: makes sense if that PC got it temp HP got deducted first
2. e.g. 20/40 HP and i used any spell with temp HP. what would happen now? the same question would apply for example like reactions like tomb of levistus
Is it possible to "heal" yourself with temp HP
Thanks a lot!
The best way to think of Temp HP as being like an abstraction of various defensive buffs and bonuses; a ward against damage, a temporary shield, an invigoration of energy or a reserve of stamina.
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Temporary HP are always on top of and separate from whatever your current HP are, and different instances temporary HP don’t stack with each other. The highest value takes sole effect.
If you have 20/40 HP and gain 5 temp HP, you now have 20 HP and 5 temp HP. If you then take 2 damage, it’s applied to the temp HP first, you’re at 20 HP and 3 temp HP. If you then gain another 5 temp HP, you’re back to 20 HP and 5 temp HP, since 5 is greater than the 3 you had before. If you’re then healed for 9 HP, you’re at 29 HP and 5 temp HP.
Strictly speaking, when you gain the last 5 temp hp you have the choice of taking the 5 or keeping the 3. This is mostly only relevant for armor of agathys as the extra damage goes away if you change your source of temp hp.
Also, temp hitpoints still hurt when you lose them, unlike the Arcane Ward. (From Abjurer Wizard, which does stack with temp hitpoints).
Which means that when you lose temp hitpoints you still have to make a concentration check.