The Hit Points Predicament!
Is Dragonbane the perfect roleplaying game or does even the sun have its spots?
What I miss from older versions of Dragonbane is that every Hit Point (HP) really counted. You didn’t get healed just by resting for a stretch or even a shift. It could take weeks for a wounded PC to recover if you didn’t have access to powerful magic. That meant you played your character much more carefully and strategically. You didn’t take unnecessary risks, and when combat started, it was a thrilling matter of life or death. If a PC got wounded, they would often be moved to the back of the line when continuing through the next narrow tunnel. This was because the chances of that character getting wounded again—or even killed—dropped dramatically when walking in the “Aragorn position.”
On the other hand, I also understand why you heal so quickly in the latest version of Dragonbane—no one wants to go into the next fight wounded. But one consequence of this is that different PCs choose to take an illogical Stretch Rest whenever they get wounded and there are no enemies around. Instead of pushing forward or fully retreating, they just hang back and relax. Very annoying.
Another consequence of this is that a few points of damage don’t matter the next day. Say a PC falls off their horse and takes 3 points of damage. The next day, when it’s time to explore the Troll Caves, the PC is completely healed. The fall from the day before meant nothing. In the older versions, the PC would still be wounded and would adjust their actions accordingly. In the new version, no adjustment is needed. Of course, it's no fun to always be playing a wounded PC, but it added an extra layer of depth to the gaming experience—one that now feels almost completely lost.
In the end, it’s a question of balance. What’s better: healing one HP per week or all HP overnight? Having experienced both systems, I’d try to find a middle ground. Maybe healing 1 HP per day would be better? As it stands, PCs are almost immortal—until they’re challenged by a really big monster. But then again, heroes never die!
The DRAGONBANE adventure THE MAIDEN'S ISLE is now LIVE on Kickstarter! During this crowdfunding campaign, you can also get the bonus scenario TAINTED WATERS. Check it out!
• The Maiden’s Isle on Kickstarter
I only allow one ‘Stretch Rest’ per day (in line with ‘rules as written’ I think), which mitigates it somewhat. But I do, largely agree - the current system makes it ‘too easy’ in some ways - it’s rather like D&D5E in that respect. I’m wondering about ‘toning it down’ somewhat, as follows… A round rest gets you just 1WP; a stretch rest gets you 1HP and 1WP unless someone heals you in which case you get 2HP and 1WP; a shift rest gets you 2D4 HP and 2D4 WP. Worth a try I think.