Why You Should Be Using An Injury Table In D&D

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Combat is a large part of , and during battles, it is inevitable that player characters will get hurt. There is usually little personal consequence to these fights, and even if a player drops to 0 hit points, they are able to carry on as normal, provided they succeed in their death saves. However, for DMs who want to raise the stakes in their next campaign setting or add a little realism introducing lingering injuries is a great idea.

It might seem strange to want to create lasting injuries for player characters, but there are some good reasons DMs might want to change their approach to the consequences of combat. Not all campaigns are well suited to introducing lasting injuries, and some groups might like their heroes to fully heal after every long rest. However, for those who want to introduce this system into their next campaign, here are some ideas and mechanics to help add a little more danger to any future battles.

Related: D&D: How To Stop Spending Your Entire Session In Combat

Found in the, lingering injuries are a really excellent way to fix some problems with 's overpowered long rests. DMs can use the injury table provided or make their own to create some lasting ramifications for players who have fallen unconscious in battle. This is a great mechanic to introduce that can add to the narrative as well as create some fantastic roleplay moments.

Usually, after a combat encounter in, characters might be described as battered and bloodied, but realistically, they are not. After using healing spells, potions, hit dice, or even a long rest, players are able to carry on with no lasting effects. Introducing lingering injuries changes that by creating consequences under certain conditions so that players’ characters