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How to break the “Death Loop†resulting from unfortunate initiative order
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In a recent session, an encounter with a single particularly tough Orc left the party dealing chip damage a few rounds at a time while they attempted to bring down my character, the defacto tank of the group. Eventually, they were able to reduce my character down to 0 hitpoints.
Now, being a (relatively) well balanced group, we had a healer (a Druid) who was dutifully keeping me alive, healing me every time I went down to ensure that I couldn't just straight-up die from this encounter. But there was a big problem: in the Initiative order, the order was specified as Orc→Me→Our Druid.
What this meant is that in these stages of the fight, the encounter, for many turns in a row, looked like this:
- Orc attacks me (twice), at least one hit hits me, reduces me to 0 hitpoints
- My turn begins, I make a Death Saving Throw. Irrespective of the result, I'm still alive, but still unconscious and bleeding out (I never successfully rolled a Natural 20).
- Druid heals me, I'm back up with some quantity of hitpoints (usually about 4-9)
- Our Rogue attempts and (usually) fails to deal damage to the Orc (Long Story Short, their stats are suboptimal for combat situations)
- Orc sees me up, attacks again, and with advantage (due to me still being prone) basically guarantees both hits, I go down again
- My turn, I make a death saving throw
- Druid heals me
- Rogue (maybe) gets in some damage
- Orc attacks me
- ♪♪Here we go again♪♪
So my question is, what kind of options did we have to mitigate or stave off this cycle (which only ended after our rogue managed to deal enough damage to bring the Orc down)?
One important constraint is that we did not have any meaningful "Crowd Control" type abilities: our Rogue was an Assassination Rogue (no spells, no powerful tactical abilities), our Druid was using their whole turn keeping me alive (a double hit usually resulted in me dropping to two automatic failures, meaning waiting even a single turn to heal me could have left me dead), and my turns were all spent bleeding out due to 0 hitpoints (so my Paladin features were unusable during this process). What could we have done to break this cycle early?
dnd-5e combat tactics
asked 26 mins ago
Xirema
9,5742865
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
In a recent session, an encounter with a single particularly tough Orc left the party dealing chip damage a few rounds at a time while they attempted to bring down my character, the defacto tank of the group. Eventually, they were able to reduce my character down to 0 hitpoints.
Now, being a (relatively) well balanced group, we had a healer (a Druid) who was dutifully keeping me alive, healing me every time I went down to ensure that I couldn't just straight-up die from this encounter. But there was a big problem: in the Initiative order, the order was specified as Orc→Me→Our Druid.
What this meant is that in these stages of the fight, the encounter, for many turns in a row, looked like this:
- Orc attacks me (twice), at least one hit hits me, reduces me to 0 hitpoints
- My turn begins, I make a Death Saving Throw. Irrespective of the result, I'm still alive, but still unconscious and bleeding out (I never successfully rolled a Natural 20).
- Druid heals me, I'm back up with some quantity of hitpoints (usually about 4-9)
- Our Rogue attempts and (usually) fails to deal damage to the Orc (Long Story Short, their stats are suboptimal for combat situations)
- Orc sees me up, attacks again, and with advantage (due to me still being prone) basically guarantees both hits, I go down again
- My turn, I make a death saving throw
- Druid heals me
- Rogue (maybe) gets in some damage
- Orc attacks me
- ♪♪Here we go again♪♪
So my question is, what kind of options did we have to mitigate or stave off this cycle (which only ended after our rogue managed to deal enough damage to bring the Orc down)?
One important constraint is that we did not have any meaningful "Crowd Control" type abilities: our Rogue was an Assassination Rogue (no spells, no powerful tactical abilities), our Druid was using their whole turn keeping me alive (a double hit usually resulted in me dropping to two automatic failures, meaning waiting even a single turn to heal me could have left me dead), and my turns were all spent bleeding out due to 0 hitpoints (so my Paladin features were unusable during this process). What could we have done to break this cycle early?
dnd-5e combat tactics
asked 26 mins ago
Xirema
9,5742865
What levels are you and your party? You mention a rogue in your party but not in the initiative order. Are there other party members?
– NautArch
18 mins ago
I note that you indicate the orc is making 2 attacks and both are upon you. The first knocking you back out and the second upon your prone body thereby giving you 2 automatic death save failures. Can you comment upon why the orc is attacking you twice as opposed to one on you to knock out and a second upon the druid or rogue?
– Pyrotechnical
14 mins ago
Related on death saving throws and being hit
– NautArch
3 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
In a recent session, an encounter with a single particularly tough Orc left the party dealing chip damage a few rounds at a time while they attempted to bring down my character, the defacto tank of the group. Eventually, they were able to reduce my character down to 0 hitpoints.
Now, being a (relatively) well balanced group, we had a healer (a Druid) who was dutifully keeping me alive, healing me every time I went down to ensure that I couldn't just straight-up die from this encounter. But there was a big problem: in the Initiative order, the order was specified as Orc→Me→Our Druid.
What this meant is that in these stages of the fight, the encounter, for many turns in a row, looked like this:
- Orc attacks me (twice), at least one hit hits me, reduces me to 0 hitpoints
- My turn begins, I make a Death Saving Throw. Irrespective of the result, I'm still alive, but still unconscious and bleeding out (I never successfully rolled a Natural 20).
- Druid heals me, I'm back up with some quantity of hitpoints (usually about 4-9)
- Our Rogue attempts and (usually) fails to deal damage to the Orc (Long Story Short, their stats are suboptimal for combat situations)
- Orc sees me up, attacks again, and with advantage (due to me still being prone) basically guarantees both hits, I go down again
- My turn, I make a death saving throw
- Druid heals me
- Rogue (maybe) gets in some damage
- Orc attacks me
- ♪♪Here we go again♪♪
So my question is, what kind of options did we have to mitigate or stave off this cycle (which only ended after our rogue managed to deal enough damage to bring the Orc down)?
One important constraint is that we did not have any meaningful "Crowd Control" type abilities: our Rogue was an Assassination Rogue (no spells, no powerful tactical abilities), our Druid was using their whole turn keeping me alive (a double hit usually resulted in me dropping to two automatic failures, meaning waiting even a single turn to heal me could have left me dead), and my turns were all spent bleeding out due to 0 hitpoints (so my Paladin features were unusable during this process). What could we have done to break this cycle early?
dnd-5e combat tactics
asked 26 mins ago
Xirema
9,5742865
In a recent session, an encounter with a single particularly tough Orc left the party dealing chip damage a few rounds at a time while they attempted to bring down my character, the defacto tank of the group. Eventually, they were able to reduce my character down to 0 hitpoints.
Now, being a (relatively) well balanced group, we had a healer (a Druid) who was dutifully keeping me alive, healing me every time I went down to ensure that I couldn't just straight-up die from this encounter. But there was a big problem: in the Initiative order, the order was specified as Orc→Me→Our Druid.
What this meant is that in these stages of the fight, the encounter, for many turns in a row, looked like this:
- Orc attacks me (twice), at least one hit hits me, reduces me to 0 hitpoints
- My turn begins, I make a Death Saving Throw. Irrespective of the result, I'm still alive, but still unconscious and bleeding out (I never successfully rolled a Natural 20).
- Druid heals me, I'm back up with some quantity of hitpoints (usually about 4-9)
- Our Rogue attempts and (usually) fails to deal damage to the Orc (Long Story Short, their stats are suboptimal for combat situations)
- Orc sees me up, attacks again, and with advantage (due to me still being prone) basically guarantees both hits, I go down again
- My turn, I make a death saving throw
- Druid heals me
- Rogue (maybe) gets in some damage
- Orc attacks me
- ♪♪Here we go again♪♪
So my question is, what kind of options did we have to mitigate or stave off this cycle (which only ended after our rogue managed to deal enough damage to bring the Orc down)?
One important constraint is that we did not have any meaningful "Crowd Control" type abilities: our Rogue was an Assassination Rogue (no spells, no powerful tactical abilities), our Druid was using their whole turn keeping me alive (a double hit usually resulted in me dropping to two automatic failures, meaning waiting even a single turn to heal me could have left me dead), and my turns were all spent bleeding out due to 0 hitpoints (so my Paladin features were unusable during this process). What could we have done to break this cycle early?
dnd-5e combat tactics
dnd-5e combat tactics
asked 26 mins ago
Xirema
9,5742865
asked 26 mins ago
Xirema
9,5742865
asked 26 mins ago
Xirema
9,5742865
asked 26 mins ago
Xirema
9,5742865
asked 26 mins ago
Xirema
9,5742865
9,5742865
What levels are you and your party? You mention a rogue in your party but not in the initiative order. Are there other party members?
– NautArch
18 mins ago
I note that you indicate the orc is making 2 attacks and both are upon you. The first knocking you back out and the second upon your prone body thereby giving you 2 automatic death save failures. Can you comment upon why the orc is attacking you twice as opposed to one on you to knock out and a second upon the druid or rogue?
– Pyrotechnical
14 mins ago
Related on death saving throws and being hit
– NautArch
3 mins ago
add a comment |Â
What levels are you and your party? You mention a rogue in your party but not in the initiative order. Are there other party members?
– NautArch
18 mins ago
I note that you indicate the orc is making 2 attacks and both are upon you. The first knocking you back out and the second upon your prone body thereby giving you 2 automatic death save failures. Can you comment upon why the orc is attacking you twice as opposed to one on you to knock out and a second upon the druid or rogue?
– Pyrotechnical
14 mins ago
Related on death saving throws and being hit
– NautArch
3 mins ago
What levels are you and your party? You mention a rogue in your party but not in the initiative order. Are there other party members?
– NautArch
18 mins ago
What levels are you and your party? You mention a rogue in your party but not in the initiative order. Are there other party members?
– NautArch
18 mins ago
I note that you indicate the orc is making 2 attacks and both are upon you. The first knocking you back out and the second upon your prone body thereby giving you 2 automatic death save failures. Can you comment upon why the orc is attacking you twice as opposed to one on you to knock out and a second upon the druid or rogue?
– Pyrotechnical
14 mins ago
I note that you indicate the orc is making 2 attacks and both are upon you. The first knocking you back out and the second upon your prone body thereby giving you 2 automatic death save failures. Can you comment upon why the orc is attacking you twice as opposed to one on you to knock out and a second upon the druid or rogue?
– Pyrotechnical
14 mins ago
Related on death saving throws and being hit
– NautArch
3 mins ago
Related on death saving throws and being hit
– NautArch
3 mins ago
add a comment |Â
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
Have the druid ready an action to heal you
In this case you need to be healed after the orc has acted. So, an option would be for the Druid to ready an action to perform some sort of healing (be it spell-based or otherwise) with the tigger being one that means the orc has already acted. An example trigger might be "Do [healing action] after orc has completed an attack". There is a lot of risk here and you should substitute the orc action for one you think most likely to actually be done (this is very case-specific however so I can't guess what that might be for you).
If it works out, the druid will provide healing for you and the orc will be out of actions. Beware of provoking an opportunity attack from them, but otherwise you should be safe from an attack from this opponent this round. Perhaps use your own action to disengage and get out of attack range, cast a defensive spell, or give yourself further healing that might endure another attack.
answered 19 mins ago
Rubiksmoose
40.3k5197304
Risky tho, because if the Orc continues to attack the Paladin, they will most likely be killed. In this case, the Paladin is the obvious target because the others are weak or just don't seem like a threat
– Destruktor
9 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
The rogue could use his action to Dodge and try to draw the aggro of the Orc (by taunting it, etc). This depends on what your DM allows, but usually if one of my players tries to taunt someone, I would allow it. This could be resolved by an opposed Deception or Persuade check.
By Dodging, the rogue will be likely to escape harm and by the rogue drawing the Orcs attacks, the Paladin will be able to stand and attack or heal themselves.
answered 13 mins ago
Destruktor
1,9301443
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Being hit by the orc should not result in two automatic failures, but rather only 1. The first hit brings you down to 0hp, with no failures, and the second is a single automatic failure (unless it is a critical hit, which is unlikely, certainly not in a cycle).
This actually makes this turn order to your advantage, in that the Druid can see if you make or fail your death save, and so can determine if you need help immediately, or if a turn can be spared to help incapacitate, or otherwise remove the orc, and then heal you next turn.
The rogue, if so inclined, can help stabilize you as an action with a DC 10 Medicine Check, which resets your Death Saving Throw counter.
answered 6 mins ago
sharur
44727
2
Melee attacks (usually made with advantage) that hit against unconscious creatures are automatic crits, according to the Unconscious status condition text.
– Xirema
3 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
The best defense is a good offense
#
While keeping you alive was important, eliminating the threat may be of more import.
By allowing your teammates to take out the threat while you're making death saves, they may be able to do so quickly and still heal you before you outright die. Relying completely on you to take out the threat minimizes their contribution to combat outside of 'keeping you alive'.
Stabilizing you, if they have the action available without risking their own deaths in their desire to take out the enemy would also help reduce risk.
answered 16 mins ago
NautArch
48k6168323
As mentioned in the post, it wasn't safe for the Druid to stop healing me, because many times (though luckily not every time, since I ended up having to pray on my saving throws every time it did happen), I was already down two failed saving throws from the second attack from the Orc, meaning a single failed save would outright kill me. It's not about whose contributions to combat were important so much as for both strategic purposes and RP purposes they were reluctant to just let my character die.
– Xirema
11 mins ago
@Xirema You know that death saving throws reset after you're back to life, right? And your DM had the orc continue attacking you when down even though there were two alive threats?
– NautArch
10 mins ago
1
Yes, but the sequence was 1. I get hit, go down (likely because prone), 2. I get hit again, is an autocrit (hits while unconscious are autocrits) and take 2 immediate failed saving throws, 3. I pray I don't roll 9- on my saving throw (and 3 times, I got lucky in that regard).
– Xirema
8 mins ago
@Xirema Related on death saving throw fails
– NautArch
6 mins ago
@Xirema I'm also still unsure if it made sense for the DM to continue attacking you with their 2nd attack when you were no longer a threat. Orcs are not smart and it seems they'd be more interested in moving on to someone/thing that could hurt them rather than keep beating the downed creature but that's a DM call.
– NautArch
4 mins ago
add a comment |Â
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
Have the druid ready an action to heal you
In this case you need to be healed after the orc has acted. So, an option would be for the Druid to ready an action to perform some sort of healing (be it spell-based or otherwise) with the tigger being one that means the orc has already acted. An example trigger might be "Do [healing action] after orc has completed an attack". There is a lot of risk here and you should substitute the orc action for one you think most likely to actually be done (this is very case-specific however so I can't guess what that might be for you).
If it works out, the druid will provide healing for you and the orc will be out of actions. Beware of provoking an opportunity attack from them, but otherwise you should be safe from an attack from this opponent this round. Perhaps use your own action to disengage and get out of attack range, cast a defensive spell, or give yourself further healing that might endure another attack.
answered 19 mins ago
Rubiksmoose
40.3k5197304
Risky tho, because if the Orc continues to attack the Paladin, they will most likely be killed. In this case, the Paladin is the obvious target because the others are weak or just don't seem like a threat
– Destruktor
9 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
Have the druid ready an action to heal you
In this case you need to be healed after the orc has acted. So, an option would be for the Druid to ready an action to perform some sort of healing (be it spell-based or otherwise) with the tigger being one that means the orc has already acted. An example trigger might be "Do [healing action] after orc has completed an attack". There is a lot of risk here and you should substitute the orc action for one you think most likely to actually be done (this is very case-specific however so I can't guess what that might be for you).
If it works out, the druid will provide healing for you and the orc will be out of actions. Beware of provoking an opportunity attack from them, but otherwise you should be safe from an attack from this opponent this round. Perhaps use your own action to disengage and get out of attack range, cast a defensive spell, or give yourself further healing that might endure another attack.
answered 19 mins ago
Rubiksmoose
40.3k5197304
Risky tho, because if the Orc continues to attack the Paladin, they will most likely be killed. In this case, the Paladin is the obvious target because the others are weak or just don't seem like a threat
– Destruktor
9 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
Have the druid ready an action to heal you
In this case you need to be healed after the orc has acted. So, an option would be for the Druid to ready an action to perform some sort of healing (be it spell-based or otherwise) with the tigger being one that means the orc has already acted. An example trigger might be "Do [healing action] after orc has completed an attack". There is a lot of risk here and you should substitute the orc action for one you think most likely to actually be done (this is very case-specific however so I can't guess what that might be for you).
If it works out, the druid will provide healing for you and the orc will be out of actions. Beware of provoking an opportunity attack from them, but otherwise you should be safe from an attack from this opponent this round. Perhaps use your own action to disengage and get out of attack range, cast a defensive spell, or give yourself further healing that might endure another attack.
answered 19 mins ago
Rubiksmoose
40.3k5197304
Have the druid ready an action to heal you
In this case you need to be healed after the orc has acted. So, an option would be for the Druid to ready an action to perform some sort of healing (be it spell-based or otherwise) with the tigger being one that means the orc has already acted. An example trigger might be "Do [healing action] after orc has completed an attack". There is a lot of risk here and you should substitute the orc action for one you think most likely to actually be done (this is very case-specific however so I can't guess what that might be for you).
If it works out, the druid will provide healing for you and the orc will be out of actions. Beware of provoking an opportunity attack from them, but otherwise you should be safe from an attack from this opponent this round. Perhaps use your own action to disengage and get out of attack range, cast a defensive spell, or give yourself further healing that might endure another attack.
answered 19 mins ago
Rubiksmoose
40.3k5197304
edited 11 mins ago
answered 19 mins ago
Rubiksmoose
40.3k5197304
answered 19 mins ago
Rubiksmoose
40.3k5197304
answered 19 mins ago
Rubiksmoose
40.3k5197304
40.3k5197304
Risky tho, because if the Orc continues to attack the Paladin, they will most likely be killed. In this case, the Paladin is the obvious target because the others are weak or just don't seem like a threat
– Destruktor
9 mins ago
add a comment |Â
Risky tho, because if the Orc continues to attack the Paladin, they will most likely be killed. In this case, the Paladin is the obvious target because the others are weak or just don't seem like a threat
– Destruktor
9 mins ago
Risky tho, because if the Orc continues to attack the Paladin, they will most likely be killed. In this case, the Paladin is the obvious target because the others are weak or just don't seem like a threat
– Destruktor
9 mins ago
Risky tho, because if the Orc continues to attack the Paladin, they will most likely be killed. In this case, the Paladin is the obvious target because the others are weak or just don't seem like a threat
– Destruktor
9 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
The rogue could use his action to Dodge and try to draw the aggro of the Orc (by taunting it, etc). This depends on what your DM allows, but usually if one of my players tries to taunt someone, I would allow it. This could be resolved by an opposed Deception or Persuade check.
By Dodging, the rogue will be likely to escape harm and by the rogue drawing the Orcs attacks, the Paladin will be able to stand and attack or heal themselves.
answered 13 mins ago
Destruktor
1,9301443
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
The rogue could use his action to Dodge and try to draw the aggro of the Orc (by taunting it, etc). This depends on what your DM allows, but usually if one of my players tries to taunt someone, I would allow it. This could be resolved by an opposed Deception or Persuade check.
By Dodging, the rogue will be likely to escape harm and by the rogue drawing the Orcs attacks, the Paladin will be able to stand and attack or heal themselves.
answered 13 mins ago
Destruktor
1,9301443
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
The rogue could use his action to Dodge and try to draw the aggro of the Orc (by taunting it, etc). This depends on what your DM allows, but usually if one of my players tries to taunt someone, I would allow it. This could be resolved by an opposed Deception or Persuade check.
By Dodging, the rogue will be likely to escape harm and by the rogue drawing the Orcs attacks, the Paladin will be able to stand and attack or heal themselves.
answered 13 mins ago
Destruktor
1,9301443
The rogue could use his action to Dodge and try to draw the aggro of the Orc (by taunting it, etc). This depends on what your DM allows, but usually if one of my players tries to taunt someone, I would allow it. This could be resolved by an opposed Deception or Persuade check.
By Dodging, the rogue will be likely to escape harm and by the rogue drawing the Orcs attacks, the Paladin will be able to stand and attack or heal themselves.
answered 13 mins ago
Destruktor
1,9301443
answered 13 mins ago
Destruktor
1,9301443
answered 13 mins ago
Destruktor
1,9301443
answered 13 mins ago
Destruktor
1,9301443
1,9301443
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Being hit by the orc should not result in two automatic failures, but rather only 1. The first hit brings you down to 0hp, with no failures, and the second is a single automatic failure (unless it is a critical hit, which is unlikely, certainly not in a cycle).
This actually makes this turn order to your advantage, in that the Druid can see if you make or fail your death save, and so can determine if you need help immediately, or if a turn can be spared to help incapacitate, or otherwise remove the orc, and then heal you next turn.
The rogue, if so inclined, can help stabilize you as an action with a DC 10 Medicine Check, which resets your Death Saving Throw counter.
answered 6 mins ago
sharur
44727
2
Melee attacks (usually made with advantage) that hit against unconscious creatures are automatic crits, according to the Unconscious status condition text.
– Xirema
3 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Being hit by the orc should not result in two automatic failures, but rather only 1. The first hit brings you down to 0hp, with no failures, and the second is a single automatic failure (unless it is a critical hit, which is unlikely, certainly not in a cycle).
This actually makes this turn order to your advantage, in that the Druid can see if you make or fail your death save, and so can determine if you need help immediately, or if a turn can be spared to help incapacitate, or otherwise remove the orc, and then heal you next turn.
The rogue, if so inclined, can help stabilize you as an action with a DC 10 Medicine Check, which resets your Death Saving Throw counter.
answered 6 mins ago
sharur
44727
2
Melee attacks (usually made with advantage) that hit against unconscious creatures are automatic crits, according to the Unconscious status condition text.
– Xirema
3 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
Being hit by the orc should not result in two automatic failures, but rather only 1. The first hit brings you down to 0hp, with no failures, and the second is a single automatic failure (unless it is a critical hit, which is unlikely, certainly not in a cycle).
This actually makes this turn order to your advantage, in that the Druid can see if you make or fail your death save, and so can determine if you need help immediately, or if a turn can be spared to help incapacitate, or otherwise remove the orc, and then heal you next turn.
The rogue, if so inclined, can help stabilize you as an action with a DC 10 Medicine Check, which resets your Death Saving Throw counter.
answered 6 mins ago
sharur
44727
Being hit by the orc should not result in two automatic failures, but rather only 1. The first hit brings you down to 0hp, with no failures, and the second is a single automatic failure (unless it is a critical hit, which is unlikely, certainly not in a cycle).
This actually makes this turn order to your advantage, in that the Druid can see if you make or fail your death save, and so can determine if you need help immediately, or if a turn can be spared to help incapacitate, or otherwise remove the orc, and then heal you next turn.
The rogue, if so inclined, can help stabilize you as an action with a DC 10 Medicine Check, which resets your Death Saving Throw counter.
answered 6 mins ago
sharur
44727
answered 6 mins ago
sharur
44727
answered 6 mins ago
sharur
44727
answered 6 mins ago
sharur
44727
44727
2
Melee attacks (usually made with advantage) that hit against unconscious creatures are automatic crits, according to the Unconscious status condition text.
– Xirema
3 mins ago
add a comment |Â
2
Melee attacks (usually made with advantage) that hit against unconscious creatures are automatic crits, according to the Unconscious status condition text.
– Xirema
3 mins ago
2
2
Melee attacks (usually made with advantage) that hit against unconscious creatures are automatic crits, according to the Unconscious status condition text.
– Xirema
3 mins ago
Melee attacks (usually made with advantage) that hit against unconscious creatures are automatic crits, according to the Unconscious status condition text.
– Xirema
3 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
The best defense is a good offense
#
While keeping you alive was important, eliminating the threat may be of more import.
By allowing your teammates to take out the threat while you're making death saves, they may be able to do so quickly and still heal you before you outright die. Relying completely on you to take out the threat minimizes their contribution to combat outside of 'keeping you alive'.
Stabilizing you, if they have the action available without risking their own deaths in their desire to take out the enemy would also help reduce risk.
answered 16 mins ago
NautArch
48k6168323
As mentioned in the post, it wasn't safe for the Druid to stop healing me, because many times (though luckily not every time, since I ended up having to pray on my saving throws every time it did happen), I was already down two failed saving throws from the second attack from the Orc, meaning a single failed save would outright kill me. It's not about whose contributions to combat were important so much as for both strategic purposes and RP purposes they were reluctant to just let my character die.
– Xirema
11 mins ago
@Xirema You know that death saving throws reset after you're back to life, right? And your DM had the orc continue attacking you when down even though there were two alive threats?
– NautArch
10 mins ago
1
Yes, but the sequence was 1. I get hit, go down (likely because prone), 2. I get hit again, is an autocrit (hits while unconscious are autocrits) and take 2 immediate failed saving throws, 3. I pray I don't roll 9- on my saving throw (and 3 times, I got lucky in that regard).
– Xirema
8 mins ago
@Xirema Related on death saving throw fails
– NautArch
6 mins ago
@Xirema I'm also still unsure if it made sense for the DM to continue attacking you with their 2nd attack when you were no longer a threat. Orcs are not smart and it seems they'd be more interested in moving on to someone/thing that could hurt them rather than keep beating the downed creature but that's a DM call.
– NautArch
4 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
The best defense is a good offense
#
While keeping you alive was important, eliminating the threat may be of more import.
By allowing your teammates to take out the threat while you're making death saves, they may be able to do so quickly and still heal you before you outright die. Relying completely on you to take out the threat minimizes their contribution to combat outside of 'keeping you alive'.
Stabilizing you, if they have the action available without risking their own deaths in their desire to take out the enemy would also help reduce risk.
answered 16 mins ago
NautArch
48k6168323
As mentioned in the post, it wasn't safe for the Druid to stop healing me, because many times (though luckily not every time, since I ended up having to pray on my saving throws every time it did happen), I was already down two failed saving throws from the second attack from the Orc, meaning a single failed save would outright kill me. It's not about whose contributions to combat were important so much as for both strategic purposes and RP purposes they were reluctant to just let my character die.
– Xirema
11 mins ago
@Xirema You know that death saving throws reset after you're back to life, right? And your DM had the orc continue attacking you when down even though there were two alive threats?
– NautArch
10 mins ago
1
Yes, but the sequence was 1. I get hit, go down (likely because prone), 2. I get hit again, is an autocrit (hits while unconscious are autocrits) and take 2 immediate failed saving throws, 3. I pray I don't roll 9- on my saving throw (and 3 times, I got lucky in that regard).
– Xirema
8 mins ago
@Xirema Related on death saving throw fails
– NautArch
6 mins ago
@Xirema I'm also still unsure if it made sense for the DM to continue attacking you with their 2nd attack when you were no longer a threat. Orcs are not smart and it seems they'd be more interested in moving on to someone/thing that could hurt them rather than keep beating the downed creature but that's a DM call.
– NautArch
4 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
The best defense is a good offense
#
While keeping you alive was important, eliminating the threat may be of more import.
By allowing your teammates to take out the threat while you're making death saves, they may be able to do so quickly and still heal you before you outright die. Relying completely on you to take out the threat minimizes their contribution to combat outside of 'keeping you alive'.
Stabilizing you, if they have the action available without risking their own deaths in their desire to take out the enemy would also help reduce risk.
answered 16 mins ago
NautArch
48k6168323
The best defense is a good offense
#
While keeping you alive was important, eliminating the threat may be of more import.
By allowing your teammates to take out the threat while you're making death saves, they may be able to do so quickly and still heal you before you outright die. Relying completely on you to take out the threat minimizes their contribution to combat outside of 'keeping you alive'.
Stabilizing you, if they have the action available without risking their own deaths in their desire to take out the enemy would also help reduce risk.
answered 16 mins ago
NautArch
48k6168323
edited just now
answered 16 mins ago
NautArch
48k6168323
answered 16 mins ago
NautArch
48k6168323
answered 16 mins ago
NautArch
48k6168323
48k6168323
As mentioned in the post, it wasn't safe for the Druid to stop healing me, because many times (though luckily not every time, since I ended up having to pray on my saving throws every time it did happen), I was already down two failed saving throws from the second attack from the Orc, meaning a single failed save would outright kill me. It's not about whose contributions to combat were important so much as for both strategic purposes and RP purposes they were reluctant to just let my character die.
– Xirema
11 mins ago
@Xirema You know that death saving throws reset after you're back to life, right? And your DM had the orc continue attacking you when down even though there were two alive threats?
– NautArch
10 mins ago
1
Yes, but the sequence was 1. I get hit, go down (likely because prone), 2. I get hit again, is an autocrit (hits while unconscious are autocrits) and take 2 immediate failed saving throws, 3. I pray I don't roll 9- on my saving throw (and 3 times, I got lucky in that regard).
– Xirema
8 mins ago
@Xirema Related on death saving throw fails
– NautArch
6 mins ago
@Xirema I'm also still unsure if it made sense for the DM to continue attacking you with their 2nd attack when you were no longer a threat. Orcs are not smart and it seems they'd be more interested in moving on to someone/thing that could hurt them rather than keep beating the downed creature but that's a DM call.
– NautArch
4 mins ago
add a comment |Â
As mentioned in the post, it wasn't safe for the Druid to stop healing me, because many times (though luckily not every time, since I ended up having to pray on my saving throws every time it did happen), I was already down two failed saving throws from the second attack from the Orc, meaning a single failed save would outright kill me. It's not about whose contributions to combat were important so much as for both strategic purposes and RP purposes they were reluctant to just let my character die.
– Xirema
11 mins ago
@Xirema You know that death saving throws reset after you're back to life, right? And your DM had the orc continue attacking you when down even though there were two alive threats?
– NautArch
10 mins ago
1
Yes, but the sequence was 1. I get hit, go down (likely because prone), 2. I get hit again, is an autocrit (hits while unconscious are autocrits) and take 2 immediate failed saving throws, 3. I pray I don't roll 9- on my saving throw (and 3 times, I got lucky in that regard).
– Xirema
8 mins ago
@Xirema Related on death saving throw fails
– NautArch
6 mins ago
@Xirema I'm also still unsure if it made sense for the DM to continue attacking you with their 2nd attack when you were no longer a threat. Orcs are not smart and it seems they'd be more interested in moving on to someone/thing that could hurt them rather than keep beating the downed creature but that's a DM call.
– NautArch
4 mins ago
As mentioned in the post, it wasn't safe for the Druid to stop healing me, because many times (though luckily not every time, since I ended up having to pray on my saving throws every time it did happen), I was already down two failed saving throws from the second attack from the Orc, meaning a single failed save would outright kill me. It's not about whose contributions to combat were important so much as for both strategic purposes and RP purposes they were reluctant to just let my character die.
– Xirema
11 mins ago
As mentioned in the post, it wasn't safe for the Druid to stop healing me, because many times (though luckily not every time, since I ended up having to pray on my saving throws every time it did happen), I was already down two failed saving throws from the second attack from the Orc, meaning a single failed save would outright kill me. It's not about whose contributions to combat were important so much as for both strategic purposes and RP purposes they were reluctant to just let my character die.
– Xirema
11 mins ago
@Xirema You know that death saving throws reset after you're back to life, right? And your DM had the orc continue attacking you when down even though there were two alive threats?
– NautArch
10 mins ago
@Xirema You know that death saving throws reset after you're back to life, right? And your DM had the orc continue attacking you when down even though there were two alive threats?
– NautArch
10 mins ago
1
1
Yes, but the sequence was 1. I get hit, go down (likely because prone), 2. I get hit again, is an autocrit (hits while unconscious are autocrits) and take 2 immediate failed saving throws, 3. I pray I don't roll 9- on my saving throw (and 3 times, I got lucky in that regard).
– Xirema
8 mins ago
Yes, but the sequence was 1. I get hit, go down (likely because prone), 2. I get hit again, is an autocrit (hits while unconscious are autocrits) and take 2 immediate failed saving throws, 3. I pray I don't roll 9- on my saving throw (and 3 times, I got lucky in that regard).
– Xirema
8 mins ago
@Xirema Related on death saving throw fails
– NautArch
6 mins ago
@Xirema Related on death saving throw fails
– NautArch
6 mins ago
@Xirema I'm also still unsure if it made sense for the DM to continue attacking you with their 2nd attack when you were no longer a threat. Orcs are not smart and it seems they'd be more interested in moving on to someone/thing that could hurt them rather than keep beating the downed creature but that's a DM call.
– NautArch
4 mins ago
@Xirema I'm also still unsure if it made sense for the DM to continue attacking you with their 2nd attack when you were no longer a threat. Orcs are not smart and it seems they'd be more interested in moving on to someone/thing that could hurt them rather than keep beating the downed creature but that's a DM call.
– NautArch
4 mins ago
add a comment |Â
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What levels are you and your party? You mention a rogue in your party but not in the initiative order. Are there other party members?
– NautArch
18 mins ago
I note that you indicate the orc is making 2 attacks and both are upon you. The first knocking you back out and the second upon your prone body thereby giving you 2 automatic death save failures. Can you comment upon why the orc is attacking you twice as opposed to one on you to knock out and a second upon the druid or rogue?
– Pyrotechnical
14 mins ago
Related on death saving throws and being hit
– NautArch
3 mins ago