Better Lingering Injuries in D&D
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I wrote a blog post about how Lingering Injuries in the DMG kind of sucks, and proposed better rules:
In the Dungeon Master's Guide (2014), there is a section in chapter 9 under the section titled “Lingering Injuries” that applied when a character took a critical hit, dropped to zero hitpoints, or fails a death saving throw by 5 or more. In one of the campaigns I ran, our playgroup wanted a slightly harsher ruleset, but we found the lingering injuries as written to not be particularly fun. We found it to be too frequent; player characters would often end up with many lingering injuries ‒ too severe; player characters would end up with debilitating injuries and it wouldn't be fun to play then ‒ and not applicable to the kind of damage received; how could a character lose an arm after breathing a toxic gas?
So, I present reworked rules for lingering injuries that are more fun and make more sense.
Circumstances for sustaining a Lingering Injury
- When a character is dropped to 0 hit points by a critical hit
- When a character is stabilized or healed after failing two death saving throws
- When a character is revived after dying
We found these conditions to be sufficiently uncommon such that lingering injuries were rare. When a character sustains a lingering injury, roll on one of the following tables applicable to the kind of damage sustained. The tables are arranged such that injuries get worse the lower you roll. Players may use their inspiration, if they have any, to reduce the chances of receiving a severe injury.
Physical Damage
This table can be rolled on when physical damage such as Bludgeoning, Piercing, Slashing, or Force causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Lose an appendage. 2 Break an appendage. 3-4 Limp. 5-6 Internal Injury 7-9 Broken Rib 10-12 Horrible Scar 13-15 Festering Wound 16-20 Minor Scar Lose an appendage
Roll on the appendages table. You lose the corresponding appendage. If you have already lost that appendage, then nothing occurs. If you lose an arm you cannot hold anything with two hands and can only hold a single object at a time. If you lose a leg, your speed on foot is halved, and you must use a cane or a crutch to move unless you have a peg leg or other prosthesis. You fall prone after using the Dash action. You have disadvantage on dexterity checks made to balance. In both cases, magic such as the Regenerate spell can restore the lost appendage. At the DMs discretion, players may be able to lessen the negative effects over time of losing an appendage as their player character learns to adapt to their altered form.
Break an appendage
Roll on the appendages table. You suffer the same negative effects as losing an appendage, except the injury heals if you receive magical healing such as the Greater Restoration spell or spend two tendays doing nothing but resting.
Limp
Your speed on foot is reduced by 5 feet. You must make a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw after using the Dash action or fall prone. The limp heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Internal Injury
Whenever you attempt an action in combat or in other sufficiently high intensity circumstances at the DMs discretion, you must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, you lose your actions and are unable to make reactions until the start of your next turn. The injury heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Broken Rib
This has the same effect as an internal injury, except the Constitution saving throw DC is 10 instead of 15.
Horrible Scar
You are disfigured to the extent that the wound cannot easily be concealed. You have disadvantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks, and advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as Heal and Regenerate, removes the scar.
Festering Wound
Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1d4 and again by 1d4 every day at dawn while the wound persists. If your hit point maximum is reduced to 0 this way, you die. The wound heals if you receive magical healing such as Lesser Restoration. Alternatively, somebody tending to the wound can make a DC 10 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every 24 hours, negating the hit point reduction on a success, and completely healing the wound after three successes. Once the wound is healed in either way, the reduction to your hit point maximum is undone.
Minor Scar
A minor scar has no adverse effect beyond cosmetic. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate removes the scar.
Heat Damage
This table can be rolled on when heat damage such as Fire, Radiant, or Lightning causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Lose an appendage. 2-3 Severe Burns. 4-6 Moderate Burns 7-9 Minor Burns 10-12 Temporary Blindness 13-15 Dehydration 16-20 Singed Hair Lose an appendage
Your burns are so severe that you lose an appendage. Roll on the appendages table. You lose the corresponding appendage. If you have already lost that appendage, then nothing occurs. If you lose an arm you cannot hold anything with two hands and can only hold a single object at a time. If you lose a leg, your speed on foot is halved, and you must use a can or a crutch to move unless you have a peg leg or other prosthesis. You fall prone after using the Dash action. You have disadvantage on dexterity checks made to balance. In both cases, magic such as the Regenerate spell can restore the lost appendage. At the DMs discretion, players may be able to lessen the negative effects over time of losing an appendage as their player character learns to adapt to their altered form.
Severe Burns
You suffer severe burns across your entire body. Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1d4 and again by 1d4 every hour while the burns persist. If your hit point maximum is reduced to 0 this way, you die. While the burns persist, you have vulnerability to fire, lightning, and radiant damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the burns. Alternatively, somebody tending to the wound can make a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every hour, negating the hit point reduction on a success, and completely healing the wound after three successes. Once the wound is healed in either way, the reduction to your hit point maximum is undone.
Moderate Burns
You suffer moderate burns across a significant part of your body. Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1d4 and again by 1d4 every day at dawn while the burns persist. If your hit point maximum is reduced to 0 this way, you die. While the burns persist, you have vulnerability to fire, lightning, and radiant damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the burns. Alternatively, somebody tending to the wound can make a DC 10 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every 24 hours, negating the hit point reduction on a success, and completely healing the wound after three successes. Once the wound is healed in either way, the reduction to your hit point maximum is undone.
Minor Burns
You suffer minor burns to some of your body. While the burns persist, you have vulnerability to fire, lightning, and radiant damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the burns. The burns heal completely after a tenday.
Temporary Blindness
The heat damage you received has caused temporary blindness. Until healed, you suffer the blinded condition. Magical healing such as Lesser Restoration heals the blindness. The blindness heals completely after a tenday.
Dehydration
The heat damage has caused you to become dehydrated. Make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, you suffer a level of exhaustion. Repeat this saving throw each day at dawn until you succeed. You have advantage on subsequent saving throws if you are able to consume a full days worth of water in the 24 hours preceding the saving throw.
Singed Hair
The heat has caused your hair (if you have any) to become singed. Roll a d20. On a 10 or greater only some of your hair has been singed. On a 9 or lower all of your hair has been singed off.
Cold and Necrotic Damage
This table can be rolled on when cold or necrotic damage causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Lose an appendage. 2-3 Severe Frostbite or Necrosis. 4-6 Moderate Frostbite or Necrosis 7-9 Minor Frostbite or Necrosis 10-15 Numbness 15-20 Blue Lips Lose an appendage
Your frostbite/necrosis is so severe that you lose an appendage. Roll on the appendages table. You lose the corresponding appendage. If you have already lost that appendage, then nothing occurs. If you lose an arm you cannot hold anything with two hands and can only hold a single object at a time. If you lose a leg, your speed on foot is halved, and you must use a can or a crutch to move unless you have a peg leg or other prosthesis. You fall prone after using the Dash action. You have disadvantage on dexterity checks made to balance. In both cases, magic such as the Regenerate spell can restore the lost appendage. At the DMs discretion, players may be able to lessen the negative effects over time of losing an appendage as their player character learns to adapt to their altered form.
Severe Frostbite or Necrosis
You suffer frostbite/necrosis across your entire body. Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1d4 and again by 1d4 every hour while the injury persists. If your hit point maximum is reduced to 0 this way, you die. While the injury persists, you have vulnerability to cold and necrotic damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the injury. Alternatively, somebody tending to the wound can make a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every hour, negating the hit point reduction on a success, and completely healing the wound after three successes. Once the wound is healed in either way, the reduction to your hit point maximum is undone.
Moderate Frostbite or Necrosis
You suffer moderate frostbite/necrosis across a significant part of your body. Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1d4 and again by 1d4 every day at dawn while the injury persists. If your hit point maximum is reduced to 0 this way, you die. While the injury persists, you have vulnerability to cold and necrotic damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the burns. Alternatively, somebody tending to the wound can make a DC 10 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every 24 hours, negating the hit point reduction on a success, and completely healing the wound after three successes. Once the wound is healed in either way, the reduction to your hit point maximum is undone.
Minor Frostbite or Necrosis
You suffer minor frostbite/necrosis to some of your body. While the burns persist, you have vulnerability to cold and necrotic damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the injury. The injury heals completely after a tenday.
Numbness
The cold or necrotic damage has caused numbness. You have disadvantage on sleight of hand checks and on initiative rolls for the next hour. Magical healing such as Lesser Restoration removes this effect.
Blue Lips
The lack of blood circulation causes your lips to turn blue for the next hour.
Thunder Damage
This table can be rolled on when thunder damage causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Deafness. 2-3 Internal Injury. 4-6 Concussion 7-9 Temporary Deafness 10-15 Ringing Headache 15-20 Disoriented Deafness
The extreme sound has caused you to go permanently deaf. Unless healed, you permanently gain the deafened condition. Magical healing such as Greater Restoration can cure this injury.
Internal Injury
The shockwave caused by the thunder damage has caused an internal injury. Whenever you attempt an action in combat or in other sufficiently high intensity circumstances at the DMs discretion, you must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, you lose your actions and are unable to make reactions until the start of your next turn. The injury heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Concussion
The shockwave has caused a concussion. While concussed, you have disadvantage on all Intelligence ability checks, attack rolls, and saving throws. The concussion heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Temporary Deafness
The thunder damage has caused temporary deafness. For the next 1d4 hours you gain the deafened condition. You lose this condition if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Ringing Headache
For the next 1d4 hours you have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks made relying on sound. This injury is cured with magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Disoriented
The thunder damage has caused disorientation. For the next 10 minutes you have disadvantage on all ability checks to locate your way or read maps.
Acid Damage
This table can be rolled on when acid damage causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Blinded. 2-3 Corroded Arms. 4-6 Corroded Legs 7-9 Corroded Armour 10-15 Disfiguring Burns 15-20 Smelly Blinded
The acid damage has corroded your eyes. Unless healed, you permanently gain the blinded condition. You lose this condition if you receive magical healing such as the Greater Restoration spell.
Corroded Arms
Your arms have been badly damaged by the corroding effects of the acid damage. Until healed, you have disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls relying on the use of your arms, including spells cast that have somatic components, and attack rolls made with weapons such as swords or bows. The injury heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Corroded Legs
Your legs have been badly damaged by the corroding effects of the acid damage. Until healed, your speed is reduced by 5 feet, and after taking the dash action you must succeed on a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw or fall prone. The injury heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Corroded Armour
If wearing armour while you took the acid damage it has been corroded. The benefit you receive to your armour class by wearing this armour is reduced by 1. The armour may be repaired at a blacksmith for 50% of its original purchase value.
Disfiguring Burns
Your face has been disfigured by the corrosion of the acid. You have disadvantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks, and advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as Heal and Regenerate, removes the disfiguration.
Smelly
The powerful scent of acid remains on your body for 1d4 hours. Any creating attempting to detect you relying on scent has advantage on any ability checks made to do so.
Psychic Damage
This table can be rolled on when Psychic damage causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Long Term Madness. 2-3 Recurring Nightmares. 4-6 Mental Lethargy 7-9 Visual Hallucinations 1-2 Short Term Madness 10-15 Paranoia 15-20 Headache 1-2 Mirthfulness Madness
Roll for a Long Term Madness effect in the Dungeons Masters Guide in chapter 8.
Recurring Nightmares
Whenever you take a long rest roll a d20. On a 10 or above, you suffer no ill effects. On a 9 or below, you suffer a nightmare relating to the cause of your lingering injury and do not benefit from the effects of the long rest. As part of your restlessness, you gain a level of exhaustion when you wake. The recurring nightmares are cured by magical healing such as the Greater Restoration spell, or by succeeding on your check three times.
Mental Lethargy
For the next 1d4 days, you have disadvantage on Constitution saving throws made to maintain concentration on spells. This injury is cured by magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Visual Hallucinations**
For the next 1d4 days, you have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks made using your sight, as intrusive hallucinations make it difficult to concentrate. This injury is cured by magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Short Term Madness
Roll for a Short Term Madness effect in the Dungeons Masters Guide in chapter 8.
Paranoia
For the next 1d4 days, you have disadvantage on Wisdom (Insight) checks thanks to a mistrust caused by the psychic damage. This injury is cured by magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Headache
For the next 1d4 hours you have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks made relying on sound. This injury is cured with magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Mirthfulness
For the next 1d4 hours you find everything funnier than it ought to be. You often burst into peals of uncontrollable laughter. You have disadvantage on stealth checks made within earshot of enemies. This injury is cured with magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Appendix
Appendage Table
Roll on this table to determine the appendage affected by a lingering injury. If the affected character has other appendages, such as a tail or wings, you may modify the table to include those.
d20 Appendage 1-5 Right Hand 6-10 Left Hand 11-15 Right Foot 16-20 Left Foot 
Extradimensional | Better Lingering Injuries in D&D 5e
The lingering injuries table in the DMG is too boring and too punishing. Here's a better one.
(extradimension.al)
-
I wrote a blog post about how Lingering Injuries in the DMG kind of sucks, and proposed better rules:
In the Dungeon Master's Guide (2014), there is a section in chapter 9 under the section titled “Lingering Injuries” that applied when a character took a critical hit, dropped to zero hitpoints, or fails a death saving throw by 5 or more. In one of the campaigns I ran, our playgroup wanted a slightly harsher ruleset, but we found the lingering injuries as written to not be particularly fun. We found it to be too frequent; player characters would often end up with many lingering injuries ‒ too severe; player characters would end up with debilitating injuries and it wouldn't be fun to play then ‒ and not applicable to the kind of damage received; how could a character lose an arm after breathing a toxic gas?
So, I present reworked rules for lingering injuries that are more fun and make more sense.
Circumstances for sustaining a Lingering Injury
- When a character is dropped to 0 hit points by a critical hit
- When a character is stabilized or healed after failing two death saving throws
- When a character is revived after dying
We found these conditions to be sufficiently uncommon such that lingering injuries were rare. When a character sustains a lingering injury, roll on one of the following tables applicable to the kind of damage sustained. The tables are arranged such that injuries get worse the lower you roll. Players may use their inspiration, if they have any, to reduce the chances of receiving a severe injury.
Physical Damage
This table can be rolled on when physical damage such as Bludgeoning, Piercing, Slashing, or Force causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Lose an appendage. 2 Break an appendage. 3-4 Limp. 5-6 Internal Injury 7-9 Broken Rib 10-12 Horrible Scar 13-15 Festering Wound 16-20 Minor Scar Lose an appendage
Roll on the appendages table. You lose the corresponding appendage. If you have already lost that appendage, then nothing occurs. If you lose an arm you cannot hold anything with two hands and can only hold a single object at a time. If you lose a leg, your speed on foot is halved, and you must use a cane or a crutch to move unless you have a peg leg or other prosthesis. You fall prone after using the Dash action. You have disadvantage on dexterity checks made to balance. In both cases, magic such as the Regenerate spell can restore the lost appendage. At the DMs discretion, players may be able to lessen the negative effects over time of losing an appendage as their player character learns to adapt to their altered form.
Break an appendage
Roll on the appendages table. You suffer the same negative effects as losing an appendage, except the injury heals if you receive magical healing such as the Greater Restoration spell or spend two tendays doing nothing but resting.
Limp
Your speed on foot is reduced by 5 feet. You must make a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw after using the Dash action or fall prone. The limp heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Internal Injury
Whenever you attempt an action in combat or in other sufficiently high intensity circumstances at the DMs discretion, you must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, you lose your actions and are unable to make reactions until the start of your next turn. The injury heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Broken Rib
This has the same effect as an internal injury, except the Constitution saving throw DC is 10 instead of 15.
Horrible Scar
You are disfigured to the extent that the wound cannot easily be concealed. You have disadvantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks, and advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as Heal and Regenerate, removes the scar.
Festering Wound
Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1d4 and again by 1d4 every day at dawn while the wound persists. If your hit point maximum is reduced to 0 this way, you die. The wound heals if you receive magical healing such as Lesser Restoration. Alternatively, somebody tending to the wound can make a DC 10 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every 24 hours, negating the hit point reduction on a success, and completely healing the wound after three successes. Once the wound is healed in either way, the reduction to your hit point maximum is undone.
Minor Scar
A minor scar has no adverse effect beyond cosmetic. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate removes the scar.
Heat Damage
This table can be rolled on when heat damage such as Fire, Radiant, or Lightning causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Lose an appendage. 2-3 Severe Burns. 4-6 Moderate Burns 7-9 Minor Burns 10-12 Temporary Blindness 13-15 Dehydration 16-20 Singed Hair Lose an appendage
Your burns are so severe that you lose an appendage. Roll on the appendages table. You lose the corresponding appendage. If you have already lost that appendage, then nothing occurs. If you lose an arm you cannot hold anything with two hands and can only hold a single object at a time. If you lose a leg, your speed on foot is halved, and you must use a can or a crutch to move unless you have a peg leg or other prosthesis. You fall prone after using the Dash action. You have disadvantage on dexterity checks made to balance. In both cases, magic such as the Regenerate spell can restore the lost appendage. At the DMs discretion, players may be able to lessen the negative effects over time of losing an appendage as their player character learns to adapt to their altered form.
Severe Burns
You suffer severe burns across your entire body. Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1d4 and again by 1d4 every hour while the burns persist. If your hit point maximum is reduced to 0 this way, you die. While the burns persist, you have vulnerability to fire, lightning, and radiant damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the burns. Alternatively, somebody tending to the wound can make a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every hour, negating the hit point reduction on a success, and completely healing the wound after three successes. Once the wound is healed in either way, the reduction to your hit point maximum is undone.
Moderate Burns
You suffer moderate burns across a significant part of your body. Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1d4 and again by 1d4 every day at dawn while the burns persist. If your hit point maximum is reduced to 0 this way, you die. While the burns persist, you have vulnerability to fire, lightning, and radiant damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the burns. Alternatively, somebody tending to the wound can make a DC 10 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every 24 hours, negating the hit point reduction on a success, and completely healing the wound after three successes. Once the wound is healed in either way, the reduction to your hit point maximum is undone.
Minor Burns
You suffer minor burns to some of your body. While the burns persist, you have vulnerability to fire, lightning, and radiant damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the burns. The burns heal completely after a tenday.
Temporary Blindness
The heat damage you received has caused temporary blindness. Until healed, you suffer the blinded condition. Magical healing such as Lesser Restoration heals the blindness. The blindness heals completely after a tenday.
Dehydration
The heat damage has caused you to become dehydrated. Make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, you suffer a level of exhaustion. Repeat this saving throw each day at dawn until you succeed. You have advantage on subsequent saving throws if you are able to consume a full days worth of water in the 24 hours preceding the saving throw.
Singed Hair
The heat has caused your hair (if you have any) to become singed. Roll a d20. On a 10 or greater only some of your hair has been singed. On a 9 or lower all of your hair has been singed off.
Cold and Necrotic Damage
This table can be rolled on when cold or necrotic damage causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Lose an appendage. 2-3 Severe Frostbite or Necrosis. 4-6 Moderate Frostbite or Necrosis 7-9 Minor Frostbite or Necrosis 10-15 Numbness 15-20 Blue Lips Lose an appendage
Your frostbite/necrosis is so severe that you lose an appendage. Roll on the appendages table. You lose the corresponding appendage. If you have already lost that appendage, then nothing occurs. If you lose an arm you cannot hold anything with two hands and can only hold a single object at a time. If you lose a leg, your speed on foot is halved, and you must use a can or a crutch to move unless you have a peg leg or other prosthesis. You fall prone after using the Dash action. You have disadvantage on dexterity checks made to balance. In both cases, magic such as the Regenerate spell can restore the lost appendage. At the DMs discretion, players may be able to lessen the negative effects over time of losing an appendage as their player character learns to adapt to their altered form.
Severe Frostbite or Necrosis
You suffer frostbite/necrosis across your entire body. Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1d4 and again by 1d4 every hour while the injury persists. If your hit point maximum is reduced to 0 this way, you die. While the injury persists, you have vulnerability to cold and necrotic damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the injury. Alternatively, somebody tending to the wound can make a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every hour, negating the hit point reduction on a success, and completely healing the wound after three successes. Once the wound is healed in either way, the reduction to your hit point maximum is undone.
Moderate Frostbite or Necrosis
You suffer moderate frostbite/necrosis across a significant part of your body. Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1d4 and again by 1d4 every day at dawn while the injury persists. If your hit point maximum is reduced to 0 this way, you die. While the injury persists, you have vulnerability to cold and necrotic damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the burns. Alternatively, somebody tending to the wound can make a DC 10 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every 24 hours, negating the hit point reduction on a success, and completely healing the wound after three successes. Once the wound is healed in either way, the reduction to your hit point maximum is undone.
Minor Frostbite or Necrosis
You suffer minor frostbite/necrosis to some of your body. While the burns persist, you have vulnerability to cold and necrotic damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the injury. The injury heals completely after a tenday.
Numbness
The cold or necrotic damage has caused numbness. You have disadvantage on sleight of hand checks and on initiative rolls for the next hour. Magical healing such as Lesser Restoration removes this effect.
Blue Lips
The lack of blood circulation causes your lips to turn blue for the next hour.
Thunder Damage
This table can be rolled on when thunder damage causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Deafness. 2-3 Internal Injury. 4-6 Concussion 7-9 Temporary Deafness 10-15 Ringing Headache 15-20 Disoriented Deafness
The extreme sound has caused you to go permanently deaf. Unless healed, you permanently gain the deafened condition. Magical healing such as Greater Restoration can cure this injury.
Internal Injury
The shockwave caused by the thunder damage has caused an internal injury. Whenever you attempt an action in combat or in other sufficiently high intensity circumstances at the DMs discretion, you must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, you lose your actions and are unable to make reactions until the start of your next turn. The injury heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Concussion
The shockwave has caused a concussion. While concussed, you have disadvantage on all Intelligence ability checks, attack rolls, and saving throws. The concussion heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Temporary Deafness
The thunder damage has caused temporary deafness. For the next 1d4 hours you gain the deafened condition. You lose this condition if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Ringing Headache
For the next 1d4 hours you have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks made relying on sound. This injury is cured with magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Disoriented
The thunder damage has caused disorientation. For the next 10 minutes you have disadvantage on all ability checks to locate your way or read maps.
Acid Damage
This table can be rolled on when acid damage causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Blinded. 2-3 Corroded Arms. 4-6 Corroded Legs 7-9 Corroded Armour 10-15 Disfiguring Burns 15-20 Smelly Blinded
The acid damage has corroded your eyes. Unless healed, you permanently gain the blinded condition. You lose this condition if you receive magical healing such as the Greater Restoration spell.
Corroded Arms
Your arms have been badly damaged by the corroding effects of the acid damage. Until healed, you have disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls relying on the use of your arms, including spells cast that have somatic components, and attack rolls made with weapons such as swords or bows. The injury heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Corroded Legs
Your legs have been badly damaged by the corroding effects of the acid damage. Until healed, your speed is reduced by 5 feet, and after taking the dash action you must succeed on a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw or fall prone. The injury heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Corroded Armour
If wearing armour while you took the acid damage it has been corroded. The benefit you receive to your armour class by wearing this armour is reduced by 1. The armour may be repaired at a blacksmith for 50% of its original purchase value.
Disfiguring Burns
Your face has been disfigured by the corrosion of the acid. You have disadvantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks, and advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as Heal and Regenerate, removes the disfiguration.
Smelly
The powerful scent of acid remains on your body for 1d4 hours. Any creating attempting to detect you relying on scent has advantage on any ability checks made to do so.
Psychic Damage
This table can be rolled on when Psychic damage causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Long Term Madness. 2-3 Recurring Nightmares. 4-6 Mental Lethargy 7-9 Visual Hallucinations 1-2 Short Term Madness 10-15 Paranoia 15-20 Headache 1-2 Mirthfulness Madness
Roll for a Long Term Madness effect in the Dungeons Masters Guide in chapter 8.
Recurring Nightmares
Whenever you take a long rest roll a d20. On a 10 or above, you suffer no ill effects. On a 9 or below, you suffer a nightmare relating to the cause of your lingering injury and do not benefit from the effects of the long rest. As part of your restlessness, you gain a level of exhaustion when you wake. The recurring nightmares are cured by magical healing such as the Greater Restoration spell, or by succeeding on your check three times.
Mental Lethargy
For the next 1d4 days, you have disadvantage on Constitution saving throws made to maintain concentration on spells. This injury is cured by magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Visual Hallucinations**
For the next 1d4 days, you have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks made using your sight, as intrusive hallucinations make it difficult to concentrate. This injury is cured by magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Short Term Madness
Roll for a Short Term Madness effect in the Dungeons Masters Guide in chapter 8.
Paranoia
For the next 1d4 days, you have disadvantage on Wisdom (Insight) checks thanks to a mistrust caused by the psychic damage. This injury is cured by magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Headache
For the next 1d4 hours you have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks made relying on sound. This injury is cured with magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Mirthfulness
For the next 1d4 hours you find everything funnier than it ought to be. You often burst into peals of uncontrollable laughter. You have disadvantage on stealth checks made within earshot of enemies. This injury is cured with magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Appendix
Appendage Table
Roll on this table to determine the appendage affected by a lingering injury. If the affected character has other appendages, such as a tail or wings, you may modify the table to include those.
d20 Appendage 1-5 Right Hand 6-10 Left Hand 11-15 Right Foot 16-20 Left Foot
Extradimensional | Better Lingering Injuries in D&D 5e
The lingering injuries table in the DMG is too boring and too punishing. Here's a better one.
(extradimension.al)
You could add a bunch of homebrew mechanics to D&D. Or, you can do what I did and switch to a system that incorporates that kind of granularity from the start. GURPS has tons of rules for these kinds of injuries.
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You could add a bunch of homebrew mechanics to D&D. Or, you can do what I did and switch to a system that incorporates that kind of granularity from the start. GURPS has tons of rules for these kinds of injuries.
GURPS is neat in its own way, but this is just about someone fixing one specific mechanic in D&D. Provided they’re ok with the rest of the rules, switching systems wholesale (especially to something as famously fiddly as GURPS) just because of how they handle injuries would be absurd.
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I wrote a blog post about how Lingering Injuries in the DMG kind of sucks, and proposed better rules:
In the Dungeon Master's Guide (2014), there is a section in chapter 9 under the section titled “Lingering Injuries” that applied when a character took a critical hit, dropped to zero hitpoints, or fails a death saving throw by 5 or more. In one of the campaigns I ran, our playgroup wanted a slightly harsher ruleset, but we found the lingering injuries as written to not be particularly fun. We found it to be too frequent; player characters would often end up with many lingering injuries ‒ too severe; player characters would end up with debilitating injuries and it wouldn't be fun to play then ‒ and not applicable to the kind of damage received; how could a character lose an arm after breathing a toxic gas?
So, I present reworked rules for lingering injuries that are more fun and make more sense.
Circumstances for sustaining a Lingering Injury
- When a character is dropped to 0 hit points by a critical hit
- When a character is stabilized or healed after failing two death saving throws
- When a character is revived after dying
We found these conditions to be sufficiently uncommon such that lingering injuries were rare. When a character sustains a lingering injury, roll on one of the following tables applicable to the kind of damage sustained. The tables are arranged such that injuries get worse the lower you roll. Players may use their inspiration, if they have any, to reduce the chances of receiving a severe injury.
Physical Damage
This table can be rolled on when physical damage such as Bludgeoning, Piercing, Slashing, or Force causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Lose an appendage. 2 Break an appendage. 3-4 Limp. 5-6 Internal Injury 7-9 Broken Rib 10-12 Horrible Scar 13-15 Festering Wound 16-20 Minor Scar Lose an appendage
Roll on the appendages table. You lose the corresponding appendage. If you have already lost that appendage, then nothing occurs. If you lose an arm you cannot hold anything with two hands and can only hold a single object at a time. If you lose a leg, your speed on foot is halved, and you must use a cane or a crutch to move unless you have a peg leg or other prosthesis. You fall prone after using the Dash action. You have disadvantage on dexterity checks made to balance. In both cases, magic such as the Regenerate spell can restore the lost appendage. At the DMs discretion, players may be able to lessen the negative effects over time of losing an appendage as their player character learns to adapt to their altered form.
Break an appendage
Roll on the appendages table. You suffer the same negative effects as losing an appendage, except the injury heals if you receive magical healing such as the Greater Restoration spell or spend two tendays doing nothing but resting.
Limp
Your speed on foot is reduced by 5 feet. You must make a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw after using the Dash action or fall prone. The limp heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Internal Injury
Whenever you attempt an action in combat or in other sufficiently high intensity circumstances at the DMs discretion, you must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, you lose your actions and are unable to make reactions until the start of your next turn. The injury heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Broken Rib
This has the same effect as an internal injury, except the Constitution saving throw DC is 10 instead of 15.
Horrible Scar
You are disfigured to the extent that the wound cannot easily be concealed. You have disadvantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks, and advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as Heal and Regenerate, removes the scar.
Festering Wound
Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1d4 and again by 1d4 every day at dawn while the wound persists. If your hit point maximum is reduced to 0 this way, you die. The wound heals if you receive magical healing such as Lesser Restoration. Alternatively, somebody tending to the wound can make a DC 10 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every 24 hours, negating the hit point reduction on a success, and completely healing the wound after three successes. Once the wound is healed in either way, the reduction to your hit point maximum is undone.
Minor Scar
A minor scar has no adverse effect beyond cosmetic. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate removes the scar.
Heat Damage
This table can be rolled on when heat damage such as Fire, Radiant, or Lightning causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Lose an appendage. 2-3 Severe Burns. 4-6 Moderate Burns 7-9 Minor Burns 10-12 Temporary Blindness 13-15 Dehydration 16-20 Singed Hair Lose an appendage
Your burns are so severe that you lose an appendage. Roll on the appendages table. You lose the corresponding appendage. If you have already lost that appendage, then nothing occurs. If you lose an arm you cannot hold anything with two hands and can only hold a single object at a time. If you lose a leg, your speed on foot is halved, and you must use a can or a crutch to move unless you have a peg leg or other prosthesis. You fall prone after using the Dash action. You have disadvantage on dexterity checks made to balance. In both cases, magic such as the Regenerate spell can restore the lost appendage. At the DMs discretion, players may be able to lessen the negative effects over time of losing an appendage as their player character learns to adapt to their altered form.
Severe Burns
You suffer severe burns across your entire body. Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1d4 and again by 1d4 every hour while the burns persist. If your hit point maximum is reduced to 0 this way, you die. While the burns persist, you have vulnerability to fire, lightning, and radiant damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the burns. Alternatively, somebody tending to the wound can make a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every hour, negating the hit point reduction on a success, and completely healing the wound after three successes. Once the wound is healed in either way, the reduction to your hit point maximum is undone.
Moderate Burns
You suffer moderate burns across a significant part of your body. Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1d4 and again by 1d4 every day at dawn while the burns persist. If your hit point maximum is reduced to 0 this way, you die. While the burns persist, you have vulnerability to fire, lightning, and radiant damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the burns. Alternatively, somebody tending to the wound can make a DC 10 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every 24 hours, negating the hit point reduction on a success, and completely healing the wound after three successes. Once the wound is healed in either way, the reduction to your hit point maximum is undone.
Minor Burns
You suffer minor burns to some of your body. While the burns persist, you have vulnerability to fire, lightning, and radiant damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the burns. The burns heal completely after a tenday.
Temporary Blindness
The heat damage you received has caused temporary blindness. Until healed, you suffer the blinded condition. Magical healing such as Lesser Restoration heals the blindness. The blindness heals completely after a tenday.
Dehydration
The heat damage has caused you to become dehydrated. Make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, you suffer a level of exhaustion. Repeat this saving throw each day at dawn until you succeed. You have advantage on subsequent saving throws if you are able to consume a full days worth of water in the 24 hours preceding the saving throw.
Singed Hair
The heat has caused your hair (if you have any) to become singed. Roll a d20. On a 10 or greater only some of your hair has been singed. On a 9 or lower all of your hair has been singed off.
Cold and Necrotic Damage
This table can be rolled on when cold or necrotic damage causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Lose an appendage. 2-3 Severe Frostbite or Necrosis. 4-6 Moderate Frostbite or Necrosis 7-9 Minor Frostbite or Necrosis 10-15 Numbness 15-20 Blue Lips Lose an appendage
Your frostbite/necrosis is so severe that you lose an appendage. Roll on the appendages table. You lose the corresponding appendage. If you have already lost that appendage, then nothing occurs. If you lose an arm you cannot hold anything with two hands and can only hold a single object at a time. If you lose a leg, your speed on foot is halved, and you must use a can or a crutch to move unless you have a peg leg or other prosthesis. You fall prone after using the Dash action. You have disadvantage on dexterity checks made to balance. In both cases, magic such as the Regenerate spell can restore the lost appendage. At the DMs discretion, players may be able to lessen the negative effects over time of losing an appendage as their player character learns to adapt to their altered form.
Severe Frostbite or Necrosis
You suffer frostbite/necrosis across your entire body. Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1d4 and again by 1d4 every hour while the injury persists. If your hit point maximum is reduced to 0 this way, you die. While the injury persists, you have vulnerability to cold and necrotic damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the injury. Alternatively, somebody tending to the wound can make a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every hour, negating the hit point reduction on a success, and completely healing the wound after three successes. Once the wound is healed in either way, the reduction to your hit point maximum is undone.
Moderate Frostbite or Necrosis
You suffer moderate frostbite/necrosis across a significant part of your body. Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1d4 and again by 1d4 every day at dawn while the injury persists. If your hit point maximum is reduced to 0 this way, you die. While the injury persists, you have vulnerability to cold and necrotic damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the burns. Alternatively, somebody tending to the wound can make a DC 10 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every 24 hours, negating the hit point reduction on a success, and completely healing the wound after three successes. Once the wound is healed in either way, the reduction to your hit point maximum is undone.
Minor Frostbite or Necrosis
You suffer minor frostbite/necrosis to some of your body. While the burns persist, you have vulnerability to cold and necrotic damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the injury. The injury heals completely after a tenday.
Numbness
The cold or necrotic damage has caused numbness. You have disadvantage on sleight of hand checks and on initiative rolls for the next hour. Magical healing such as Lesser Restoration removes this effect.
Blue Lips
The lack of blood circulation causes your lips to turn blue for the next hour.
Thunder Damage
This table can be rolled on when thunder damage causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Deafness. 2-3 Internal Injury. 4-6 Concussion 7-9 Temporary Deafness 10-15 Ringing Headache 15-20 Disoriented Deafness
The extreme sound has caused you to go permanently deaf. Unless healed, you permanently gain the deafened condition. Magical healing such as Greater Restoration can cure this injury.
Internal Injury
The shockwave caused by the thunder damage has caused an internal injury. Whenever you attempt an action in combat or in other sufficiently high intensity circumstances at the DMs discretion, you must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, you lose your actions and are unable to make reactions until the start of your next turn. The injury heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Concussion
The shockwave has caused a concussion. While concussed, you have disadvantage on all Intelligence ability checks, attack rolls, and saving throws. The concussion heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Temporary Deafness
The thunder damage has caused temporary deafness. For the next 1d4 hours you gain the deafened condition. You lose this condition if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Ringing Headache
For the next 1d4 hours you have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks made relying on sound. This injury is cured with magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Disoriented
The thunder damage has caused disorientation. For the next 10 minutes you have disadvantage on all ability checks to locate your way or read maps.
Acid Damage
This table can be rolled on when acid damage causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Blinded. 2-3 Corroded Arms. 4-6 Corroded Legs 7-9 Corroded Armour 10-15 Disfiguring Burns 15-20 Smelly Blinded
The acid damage has corroded your eyes. Unless healed, you permanently gain the blinded condition. You lose this condition if you receive magical healing such as the Greater Restoration spell.
Corroded Arms
Your arms have been badly damaged by the corroding effects of the acid damage. Until healed, you have disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls relying on the use of your arms, including spells cast that have somatic components, and attack rolls made with weapons such as swords or bows. The injury heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Corroded Legs
Your legs have been badly damaged by the corroding effects of the acid damage. Until healed, your speed is reduced by 5 feet, and after taking the dash action you must succeed on a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw or fall prone. The injury heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Corroded Armour
If wearing armour while you took the acid damage it has been corroded. The benefit you receive to your armour class by wearing this armour is reduced by 1. The armour may be repaired at a blacksmith for 50% of its original purchase value.
Disfiguring Burns
Your face has been disfigured by the corrosion of the acid. You have disadvantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks, and advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as Heal and Regenerate, removes the disfiguration.
Smelly
The powerful scent of acid remains on your body for 1d4 hours. Any creating attempting to detect you relying on scent has advantage on any ability checks made to do so.
Psychic Damage
This table can be rolled on when Psychic damage causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Long Term Madness. 2-3 Recurring Nightmares. 4-6 Mental Lethargy 7-9 Visual Hallucinations 1-2 Short Term Madness 10-15 Paranoia 15-20 Headache 1-2 Mirthfulness Madness
Roll for a Long Term Madness effect in the Dungeons Masters Guide in chapter 8.
Recurring Nightmares
Whenever you take a long rest roll a d20. On a 10 or above, you suffer no ill effects. On a 9 or below, you suffer a nightmare relating to the cause of your lingering injury and do not benefit from the effects of the long rest. As part of your restlessness, you gain a level of exhaustion when you wake. The recurring nightmares are cured by magical healing such as the Greater Restoration spell, or by succeeding on your check three times.
Mental Lethargy
For the next 1d4 days, you have disadvantage on Constitution saving throws made to maintain concentration on spells. This injury is cured by magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Visual Hallucinations**
For the next 1d4 days, you have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks made using your sight, as intrusive hallucinations make it difficult to concentrate. This injury is cured by magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Short Term Madness
Roll for a Short Term Madness effect in the Dungeons Masters Guide in chapter 8.
Paranoia
For the next 1d4 days, you have disadvantage on Wisdom (Insight) checks thanks to a mistrust caused by the psychic damage. This injury is cured by magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Headache
For the next 1d4 hours you have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks made relying on sound. This injury is cured with magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Mirthfulness
For the next 1d4 hours you find everything funnier than it ought to be. You often burst into peals of uncontrollable laughter. You have disadvantage on stealth checks made within earshot of enemies. This injury is cured with magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Appendix
Appendage Table
Roll on this table to determine the appendage affected by a lingering injury. If the affected character has other appendages, such as a tail or wings, you may modify the table to include those.
d20 Appendage 1-5 Right Hand 6-10 Left Hand 11-15 Right Foot 16-20 Left Foot
Extradimensional | Better Lingering Injuries in D&D 5e
The lingering injuries table in the DMG is too boring and too punishing. Here's a better one.
(extradimension.al)
This is some really good homebrew! I'll ask my DM to test it in our ongoing campaign, as it looks really fun.
May I suggest cross-posting it to !dndhomebrew@lemmy.world / https://lemmy.world/c/dndhomebrew
-
I wrote a blog post about how Lingering Injuries in the DMG kind of sucks, and proposed better rules:
In the Dungeon Master's Guide (2014), there is a section in chapter 9 under the section titled “Lingering Injuries” that applied when a character took a critical hit, dropped to zero hitpoints, or fails a death saving throw by 5 or more. In one of the campaigns I ran, our playgroup wanted a slightly harsher ruleset, but we found the lingering injuries as written to not be particularly fun. We found it to be too frequent; player characters would often end up with many lingering injuries ‒ too severe; player characters would end up with debilitating injuries and it wouldn't be fun to play then ‒ and not applicable to the kind of damage received; how could a character lose an arm after breathing a toxic gas?
So, I present reworked rules for lingering injuries that are more fun and make more sense.
Circumstances for sustaining a Lingering Injury
- When a character is dropped to 0 hit points by a critical hit
- When a character is stabilized or healed after failing two death saving throws
- When a character is revived after dying
We found these conditions to be sufficiently uncommon such that lingering injuries were rare. When a character sustains a lingering injury, roll on one of the following tables applicable to the kind of damage sustained. The tables are arranged such that injuries get worse the lower you roll. Players may use their inspiration, if they have any, to reduce the chances of receiving a severe injury.
Physical Damage
This table can be rolled on when physical damage such as Bludgeoning, Piercing, Slashing, or Force causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Lose an appendage. 2 Break an appendage. 3-4 Limp. 5-6 Internal Injury 7-9 Broken Rib 10-12 Horrible Scar 13-15 Festering Wound 16-20 Minor Scar Lose an appendage
Roll on the appendages table. You lose the corresponding appendage. If you have already lost that appendage, then nothing occurs. If you lose an arm you cannot hold anything with two hands and can only hold a single object at a time. If you lose a leg, your speed on foot is halved, and you must use a cane or a crutch to move unless you have a peg leg or other prosthesis. You fall prone after using the Dash action. You have disadvantage on dexterity checks made to balance. In both cases, magic such as the Regenerate spell can restore the lost appendage. At the DMs discretion, players may be able to lessen the negative effects over time of losing an appendage as their player character learns to adapt to their altered form.
Break an appendage
Roll on the appendages table. You suffer the same negative effects as losing an appendage, except the injury heals if you receive magical healing such as the Greater Restoration spell or spend two tendays doing nothing but resting.
Limp
Your speed on foot is reduced by 5 feet. You must make a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw after using the Dash action or fall prone. The limp heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Internal Injury
Whenever you attempt an action in combat or in other sufficiently high intensity circumstances at the DMs discretion, you must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, you lose your actions and are unable to make reactions until the start of your next turn. The injury heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Broken Rib
This has the same effect as an internal injury, except the Constitution saving throw DC is 10 instead of 15.
Horrible Scar
You are disfigured to the extent that the wound cannot easily be concealed. You have disadvantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks, and advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as Heal and Regenerate, removes the scar.
Festering Wound
Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1d4 and again by 1d4 every day at dawn while the wound persists. If your hit point maximum is reduced to 0 this way, you die. The wound heals if you receive magical healing such as Lesser Restoration. Alternatively, somebody tending to the wound can make a DC 10 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every 24 hours, negating the hit point reduction on a success, and completely healing the wound after three successes. Once the wound is healed in either way, the reduction to your hit point maximum is undone.
Minor Scar
A minor scar has no adverse effect beyond cosmetic. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate removes the scar.
Heat Damage
This table can be rolled on when heat damage such as Fire, Radiant, or Lightning causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Lose an appendage. 2-3 Severe Burns. 4-6 Moderate Burns 7-9 Minor Burns 10-12 Temporary Blindness 13-15 Dehydration 16-20 Singed Hair Lose an appendage
Your burns are so severe that you lose an appendage. Roll on the appendages table. You lose the corresponding appendage. If you have already lost that appendage, then nothing occurs. If you lose an arm you cannot hold anything with two hands and can only hold a single object at a time. If you lose a leg, your speed on foot is halved, and you must use a can or a crutch to move unless you have a peg leg or other prosthesis. You fall prone after using the Dash action. You have disadvantage on dexterity checks made to balance. In both cases, magic such as the Regenerate spell can restore the lost appendage. At the DMs discretion, players may be able to lessen the negative effects over time of losing an appendage as their player character learns to adapt to their altered form.
Severe Burns
You suffer severe burns across your entire body. Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1d4 and again by 1d4 every hour while the burns persist. If your hit point maximum is reduced to 0 this way, you die. While the burns persist, you have vulnerability to fire, lightning, and radiant damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the burns. Alternatively, somebody tending to the wound can make a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every hour, negating the hit point reduction on a success, and completely healing the wound after three successes. Once the wound is healed in either way, the reduction to your hit point maximum is undone.
Moderate Burns
You suffer moderate burns across a significant part of your body. Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1d4 and again by 1d4 every day at dawn while the burns persist. If your hit point maximum is reduced to 0 this way, you die. While the burns persist, you have vulnerability to fire, lightning, and radiant damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the burns. Alternatively, somebody tending to the wound can make a DC 10 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every 24 hours, negating the hit point reduction on a success, and completely healing the wound after three successes. Once the wound is healed in either way, the reduction to your hit point maximum is undone.
Minor Burns
You suffer minor burns to some of your body. While the burns persist, you have vulnerability to fire, lightning, and radiant damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the burns. The burns heal completely after a tenday.
Temporary Blindness
The heat damage you received has caused temporary blindness. Until healed, you suffer the blinded condition. Magical healing such as Lesser Restoration heals the blindness. The blindness heals completely after a tenday.
Dehydration
The heat damage has caused you to become dehydrated. Make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, you suffer a level of exhaustion. Repeat this saving throw each day at dawn until you succeed. You have advantage on subsequent saving throws if you are able to consume a full days worth of water in the 24 hours preceding the saving throw.
Singed Hair
The heat has caused your hair (if you have any) to become singed. Roll a d20. On a 10 or greater only some of your hair has been singed. On a 9 or lower all of your hair has been singed off.
Cold and Necrotic Damage
This table can be rolled on when cold or necrotic damage causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Lose an appendage. 2-3 Severe Frostbite or Necrosis. 4-6 Moderate Frostbite or Necrosis 7-9 Minor Frostbite or Necrosis 10-15 Numbness 15-20 Blue Lips Lose an appendage
Your frostbite/necrosis is so severe that you lose an appendage. Roll on the appendages table. You lose the corresponding appendage. If you have already lost that appendage, then nothing occurs. If you lose an arm you cannot hold anything with two hands and can only hold a single object at a time. If you lose a leg, your speed on foot is halved, and you must use a can or a crutch to move unless you have a peg leg or other prosthesis. You fall prone after using the Dash action. You have disadvantage on dexterity checks made to balance. In both cases, magic such as the Regenerate spell can restore the lost appendage. At the DMs discretion, players may be able to lessen the negative effects over time of losing an appendage as their player character learns to adapt to their altered form.
Severe Frostbite or Necrosis
You suffer frostbite/necrosis across your entire body. Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1d4 and again by 1d4 every hour while the injury persists. If your hit point maximum is reduced to 0 this way, you die. While the injury persists, you have vulnerability to cold and necrotic damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the injury. Alternatively, somebody tending to the wound can make a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every hour, negating the hit point reduction on a success, and completely healing the wound after three successes. Once the wound is healed in either way, the reduction to your hit point maximum is undone.
Moderate Frostbite or Necrosis
You suffer moderate frostbite/necrosis across a significant part of your body. Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1d4 and again by 1d4 every day at dawn while the injury persists. If your hit point maximum is reduced to 0 this way, you die. While the injury persists, you have vulnerability to cold and necrotic damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the burns. Alternatively, somebody tending to the wound can make a DC 10 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every 24 hours, negating the hit point reduction on a success, and completely healing the wound after three successes. Once the wound is healed in either way, the reduction to your hit point maximum is undone.
Minor Frostbite or Necrosis
You suffer minor frostbite/necrosis to some of your body. While the burns persist, you have vulnerability to cold and necrotic damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the injury. The injury heals completely after a tenday.
Numbness
The cold or necrotic damage has caused numbness. You have disadvantage on sleight of hand checks and on initiative rolls for the next hour. Magical healing such as Lesser Restoration removes this effect.
Blue Lips
The lack of blood circulation causes your lips to turn blue for the next hour.
Thunder Damage
This table can be rolled on when thunder damage causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Deafness. 2-3 Internal Injury. 4-6 Concussion 7-9 Temporary Deafness 10-15 Ringing Headache 15-20 Disoriented Deafness
The extreme sound has caused you to go permanently deaf. Unless healed, you permanently gain the deafened condition. Magical healing such as Greater Restoration can cure this injury.
Internal Injury
The shockwave caused by the thunder damage has caused an internal injury. Whenever you attempt an action in combat or in other sufficiently high intensity circumstances at the DMs discretion, you must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, you lose your actions and are unable to make reactions until the start of your next turn. The injury heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Concussion
The shockwave has caused a concussion. While concussed, you have disadvantage on all Intelligence ability checks, attack rolls, and saving throws. The concussion heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Temporary Deafness
The thunder damage has caused temporary deafness. For the next 1d4 hours you gain the deafened condition. You lose this condition if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Ringing Headache
For the next 1d4 hours you have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks made relying on sound. This injury is cured with magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Disoriented
The thunder damage has caused disorientation. For the next 10 minutes you have disadvantage on all ability checks to locate your way or read maps.
Acid Damage
This table can be rolled on when acid damage causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Blinded. 2-3 Corroded Arms. 4-6 Corroded Legs 7-9 Corroded Armour 10-15 Disfiguring Burns 15-20 Smelly Blinded
The acid damage has corroded your eyes. Unless healed, you permanently gain the blinded condition. You lose this condition if you receive magical healing such as the Greater Restoration spell.
Corroded Arms
Your arms have been badly damaged by the corroding effects of the acid damage. Until healed, you have disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls relying on the use of your arms, including spells cast that have somatic components, and attack rolls made with weapons such as swords or bows. The injury heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Corroded Legs
Your legs have been badly damaged by the corroding effects of the acid damage. Until healed, your speed is reduced by 5 feet, and after taking the dash action you must succeed on a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw or fall prone. The injury heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Corroded Armour
If wearing armour while you took the acid damage it has been corroded. The benefit you receive to your armour class by wearing this armour is reduced by 1. The armour may be repaired at a blacksmith for 50% of its original purchase value.
Disfiguring Burns
Your face has been disfigured by the corrosion of the acid. You have disadvantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks, and advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as Heal and Regenerate, removes the disfiguration.
Smelly
The powerful scent of acid remains on your body for 1d4 hours. Any creating attempting to detect you relying on scent has advantage on any ability checks made to do so.
Psychic Damage
This table can be rolled on when Psychic damage causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Long Term Madness. 2-3 Recurring Nightmares. 4-6 Mental Lethargy 7-9 Visual Hallucinations 1-2 Short Term Madness 10-15 Paranoia 15-20 Headache 1-2 Mirthfulness Madness
Roll for a Long Term Madness effect in the Dungeons Masters Guide in chapter 8.
Recurring Nightmares
Whenever you take a long rest roll a d20. On a 10 or above, you suffer no ill effects. On a 9 or below, you suffer a nightmare relating to the cause of your lingering injury and do not benefit from the effects of the long rest. As part of your restlessness, you gain a level of exhaustion when you wake. The recurring nightmares are cured by magical healing such as the Greater Restoration spell, or by succeeding on your check three times.
Mental Lethargy
For the next 1d4 days, you have disadvantage on Constitution saving throws made to maintain concentration on spells. This injury is cured by magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Visual Hallucinations**
For the next 1d4 days, you have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks made using your sight, as intrusive hallucinations make it difficult to concentrate. This injury is cured by magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Short Term Madness
Roll for a Short Term Madness effect in the Dungeons Masters Guide in chapter 8.
Paranoia
For the next 1d4 days, you have disadvantage on Wisdom (Insight) checks thanks to a mistrust caused by the psychic damage. This injury is cured by magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Headache
For the next 1d4 hours you have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks made relying on sound. This injury is cured with magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Mirthfulness
For the next 1d4 hours you find everything funnier than it ought to be. You often burst into peals of uncontrollable laughter. You have disadvantage on stealth checks made within earshot of enemies. This injury is cured with magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Appendix
Appendage Table
Roll on this table to determine the appendage affected by a lingering injury. If the affected character has other appendages, such as a tail or wings, you may modify the table to include those.
d20 Appendage 1-5 Right Hand 6-10 Left Hand 11-15 Right Foot 16-20 Left Foot
Extradimensional | Better Lingering Injuries in D&D 5e
The lingering injuries table in the DMG is too boring and too punishing. Here's a better one.
(extradimension.al)
I think I would take a different route, because big randomness isn't fun for me.
Have you played Fate? It's very good, and free. It has "stress" that's kind of like hit points, but it also has this idea of "consequences". When you take a hit but don't have enough free stress to cover it, you can take a consequence instead. Stress is easy to recover, but a consequence sticks around until you get treatment.
As I said, I don't really like big randomness. In Fate, it's always up to the player if they want to take a consequence or not. Sometimes the alternative is the character just gets taken out. But if you do take a consequence , it's up to the table to negotiate what it might be. Fall off a ledge? Could be a broken leg. Got stabbed? Could be an infection. Bothered by a ghost? Now you have a fear of the dark.
To port this over to DND , I'd add three "consequences" boxes on the sheet- minor , moderate, and severe. Each one could be used to soak one hit. The minor one could be 25% of their hp, the moderate 50%, and the severe 75%. When you take a hit that's less than the box, you can mark the box instead of it going to hp. Probably tweak the numbers a bit since I just made those up. If you want to be even harsher, lower the max HP some, too.
This probably would be a mess, but I started typing it out and don't want to just throw it away.
But I do recommend looking at how other systems do stuff for ideas, and stealing them
Also make sure your players are into whatever ideas you're pitching.
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GURPS is neat in its own way, but this is just about someone fixing one specific mechanic in D&D. Provided they’re ok with the rest of the rules, switching systems wholesale (especially to something as famously fiddly as GURPS) just because of how they handle injuries would be absurd.
Oh sure not just for injuries, in fact I only very rarely use them. But I'd wager that anyone who is dissatisfied with the depth of D&D 5e on this one aspect is probably similarly dissatisfied on others. The initial draw for me, for instance, was the extensive Skill list and detailed character creation.
Frankly I think the "fiddly" reputation is overblown. Sure, if you try to use every mechanic from the beginning then yeah it's a lot. But the basic Success Roll mechanic is dead simple, arguably simpler than 5e. If you start with the basics and only add more complex stuff as you want/need it, it's really not that fiddly.
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You could add a bunch of homebrew mechanics to D&D. Or, you can do what I did and switch to a system that incorporates that kind of granularity from the start. GURPS has tons of rules for these kinds of injuries.
Great point. I'm a Savage Worlds fanguy myself, and gotta admit it handles these situations quite smoothly, albeit more generally so you add some specific flavor yourself. It has guidelines for how long things take to heal, or if they're permanent, all that good stuff, without pages and pages of specifics.
Running a random silly off-the-cuff game to share the system involved an angry monkey bartender who rolled ridiculously high on throwing a poo at one of my players causing a ruckus.
(A "ha-poo-ken!" , if you will...)
This caused a roll on the injury table. Oh did we have a laugh when the "injury location" conferred with the dice and came up "Unmentionables."
I do like reading through write-ups like these though, because it gives less experienced GMs like me a quick understanding model for gauging levels of severity in specific circumstances, even if I wouldn't be flipping through something like this during a game.
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You could add a bunch of homebrew mechanics to D&D. Or, you can do what I did and switch to a system that incorporates that kind of granularity from the start. GURPS has tons of rules for these kinds of injuries.
I do find it puzzling when people homebrew and tinker and modify D&D 5e to fix all the things they don't like, but they don't want to just change to another system. It's mostly harmless, at least.
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I wrote a blog post about how Lingering Injuries in the DMG kind of sucks, and proposed better rules:
In the Dungeon Master's Guide (2014), there is a section in chapter 9 under the section titled “Lingering Injuries” that applied when a character took a critical hit, dropped to zero hitpoints, or fails a death saving throw by 5 or more. In one of the campaigns I ran, our playgroup wanted a slightly harsher ruleset, but we found the lingering injuries as written to not be particularly fun. We found it to be too frequent; player characters would often end up with many lingering injuries ‒ too severe; player characters would end up with debilitating injuries and it wouldn't be fun to play then ‒ and not applicable to the kind of damage received; how could a character lose an arm after breathing a toxic gas?
So, I present reworked rules for lingering injuries that are more fun and make more sense.
Circumstances for sustaining a Lingering Injury
- When a character is dropped to 0 hit points by a critical hit
- When a character is stabilized or healed after failing two death saving throws
- When a character is revived after dying
We found these conditions to be sufficiently uncommon such that lingering injuries were rare. When a character sustains a lingering injury, roll on one of the following tables applicable to the kind of damage sustained. The tables are arranged such that injuries get worse the lower you roll. Players may use their inspiration, if they have any, to reduce the chances of receiving a severe injury.
Physical Damage
This table can be rolled on when physical damage such as Bludgeoning, Piercing, Slashing, or Force causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Lose an appendage. 2 Break an appendage. 3-4 Limp. 5-6 Internal Injury 7-9 Broken Rib 10-12 Horrible Scar 13-15 Festering Wound 16-20 Minor Scar Lose an appendage
Roll on the appendages table. You lose the corresponding appendage. If you have already lost that appendage, then nothing occurs. If you lose an arm you cannot hold anything with two hands and can only hold a single object at a time. If you lose a leg, your speed on foot is halved, and you must use a cane or a crutch to move unless you have a peg leg or other prosthesis. You fall prone after using the Dash action. You have disadvantage on dexterity checks made to balance. In both cases, magic such as the Regenerate spell can restore the lost appendage. At the DMs discretion, players may be able to lessen the negative effects over time of losing an appendage as their player character learns to adapt to their altered form.
Break an appendage
Roll on the appendages table. You suffer the same negative effects as losing an appendage, except the injury heals if you receive magical healing such as the Greater Restoration spell or spend two tendays doing nothing but resting.
Limp
Your speed on foot is reduced by 5 feet. You must make a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw after using the Dash action or fall prone. The limp heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Internal Injury
Whenever you attempt an action in combat or in other sufficiently high intensity circumstances at the DMs discretion, you must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, you lose your actions and are unable to make reactions until the start of your next turn. The injury heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Broken Rib
This has the same effect as an internal injury, except the Constitution saving throw DC is 10 instead of 15.
Horrible Scar
You are disfigured to the extent that the wound cannot easily be concealed. You have disadvantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks, and advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as Heal and Regenerate, removes the scar.
Festering Wound
Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1d4 and again by 1d4 every day at dawn while the wound persists. If your hit point maximum is reduced to 0 this way, you die. The wound heals if you receive magical healing such as Lesser Restoration. Alternatively, somebody tending to the wound can make a DC 10 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every 24 hours, negating the hit point reduction on a success, and completely healing the wound after three successes. Once the wound is healed in either way, the reduction to your hit point maximum is undone.
Minor Scar
A minor scar has no adverse effect beyond cosmetic. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate removes the scar.
Heat Damage
This table can be rolled on when heat damage such as Fire, Radiant, or Lightning causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Lose an appendage. 2-3 Severe Burns. 4-6 Moderate Burns 7-9 Minor Burns 10-12 Temporary Blindness 13-15 Dehydration 16-20 Singed Hair Lose an appendage
Your burns are so severe that you lose an appendage. Roll on the appendages table. You lose the corresponding appendage. If you have already lost that appendage, then nothing occurs. If you lose an arm you cannot hold anything with two hands and can only hold a single object at a time. If you lose a leg, your speed on foot is halved, and you must use a can or a crutch to move unless you have a peg leg or other prosthesis. You fall prone after using the Dash action. You have disadvantage on dexterity checks made to balance. In both cases, magic such as the Regenerate spell can restore the lost appendage. At the DMs discretion, players may be able to lessen the negative effects over time of losing an appendage as their player character learns to adapt to their altered form.
Severe Burns
You suffer severe burns across your entire body. Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1d4 and again by 1d4 every hour while the burns persist. If your hit point maximum is reduced to 0 this way, you die. While the burns persist, you have vulnerability to fire, lightning, and radiant damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the burns. Alternatively, somebody tending to the wound can make a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every hour, negating the hit point reduction on a success, and completely healing the wound after three successes. Once the wound is healed in either way, the reduction to your hit point maximum is undone.
Moderate Burns
You suffer moderate burns across a significant part of your body. Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1d4 and again by 1d4 every day at dawn while the burns persist. If your hit point maximum is reduced to 0 this way, you die. While the burns persist, you have vulnerability to fire, lightning, and radiant damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the burns. Alternatively, somebody tending to the wound can make a DC 10 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every 24 hours, negating the hit point reduction on a success, and completely healing the wound after three successes. Once the wound is healed in either way, the reduction to your hit point maximum is undone.
Minor Burns
You suffer minor burns to some of your body. While the burns persist, you have vulnerability to fire, lightning, and radiant damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the burns. The burns heal completely after a tenday.
Temporary Blindness
The heat damage you received has caused temporary blindness. Until healed, you suffer the blinded condition. Magical healing such as Lesser Restoration heals the blindness. The blindness heals completely after a tenday.
Dehydration
The heat damage has caused you to become dehydrated. Make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, you suffer a level of exhaustion. Repeat this saving throw each day at dawn until you succeed. You have advantage on subsequent saving throws if you are able to consume a full days worth of water in the 24 hours preceding the saving throw.
Singed Hair
The heat has caused your hair (if you have any) to become singed. Roll a d20. On a 10 or greater only some of your hair has been singed. On a 9 or lower all of your hair has been singed off.
Cold and Necrotic Damage
This table can be rolled on when cold or necrotic damage causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Lose an appendage. 2-3 Severe Frostbite or Necrosis. 4-6 Moderate Frostbite or Necrosis 7-9 Minor Frostbite or Necrosis 10-15 Numbness 15-20 Blue Lips Lose an appendage
Your frostbite/necrosis is so severe that you lose an appendage. Roll on the appendages table. You lose the corresponding appendage. If you have already lost that appendage, then nothing occurs. If you lose an arm you cannot hold anything with two hands and can only hold a single object at a time. If you lose a leg, your speed on foot is halved, and you must use a can or a crutch to move unless you have a peg leg or other prosthesis. You fall prone after using the Dash action. You have disadvantage on dexterity checks made to balance. In both cases, magic such as the Regenerate spell can restore the lost appendage. At the DMs discretion, players may be able to lessen the negative effects over time of losing an appendage as their player character learns to adapt to their altered form.
Severe Frostbite or Necrosis
You suffer frostbite/necrosis across your entire body. Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1d4 and again by 1d4 every hour while the injury persists. If your hit point maximum is reduced to 0 this way, you die. While the injury persists, you have vulnerability to cold and necrotic damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the injury. Alternatively, somebody tending to the wound can make a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every hour, negating the hit point reduction on a success, and completely healing the wound after three successes. Once the wound is healed in either way, the reduction to your hit point maximum is undone.
Moderate Frostbite or Necrosis
You suffer moderate frostbite/necrosis across a significant part of your body. Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1d4 and again by 1d4 every day at dawn while the injury persists. If your hit point maximum is reduced to 0 this way, you die. While the injury persists, you have vulnerability to cold and necrotic damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the burns. Alternatively, somebody tending to the wound can make a DC 10 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every 24 hours, negating the hit point reduction on a success, and completely healing the wound after three successes. Once the wound is healed in either way, the reduction to your hit point maximum is undone.
Minor Frostbite or Necrosis
You suffer minor frostbite/necrosis to some of your body. While the burns persist, you have vulnerability to cold and necrotic damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the injury. The injury heals completely after a tenday.
Numbness
The cold or necrotic damage has caused numbness. You have disadvantage on sleight of hand checks and on initiative rolls for the next hour. Magical healing such as Lesser Restoration removes this effect.
Blue Lips
The lack of blood circulation causes your lips to turn blue for the next hour.
Thunder Damage
This table can be rolled on when thunder damage causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Deafness. 2-3 Internal Injury. 4-6 Concussion 7-9 Temporary Deafness 10-15 Ringing Headache 15-20 Disoriented Deafness
The extreme sound has caused you to go permanently deaf. Unless healed, you permanently gain the deafened condition. Magical healing such as Greater Restoration can cure this injury.
Internal Injury
The shockwave caused by the thunder damage has caused an internal injury. Whenever you attempt an action in combat or in other sufficiently high intensity circumstances at the DMs discretion, you must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, you lose your actions and are unable to make reactions until the start of your next turn. The injury heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Concussion
The shockwave has caused a concussion. While concussed, you have disadvantage on all Intelligence ability checks, attack rolls, and saving throws. The concussion heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Temporary Deafness
The thunder damage has caused temporary deafness. For the next 1d4 hours you gain the deafened condition. You lose this condition if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Ringing Headache
For the next 1d4 hours you have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks made relying on sound. This injury is cured with magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Disoriented
The thunder damage has caused disorientation. For the next 10 minutes you have disadvantage on all ability checks to locate your way or read maps.
Acid Damage
This table can be rolled on when acid damage causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Blinded. 2-3 Corroded Arms. 4-6 Corroded Legs 7-9 Corroded Armour 10-15 Disfiguring Burns 15-20 Smelly Blinded
The acid damage has corroded your eyes. Unless healed, you permanently gain the blinded condition. You lose this condition if you receive magical healing such as the Greater Restoration spell.
Corroded Arms
Your arms have been badly damaged by the corroding effects of the acid damage. Until healed, you have disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls relying on the use of your arms, including spells cast that have somatic components, and attack rolls made with weapons such as swords or bows. The injury heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Corroded Legs
Your legs have been badly damaged by the corroding effects of the acid damage. Until healed, your speed is reduced by 5 feet, and after taking the dash action you must succeed on a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw or fall prone. The injury heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Corroded Armour
If wearing armour while you took the acid damage it has been corroded. The benefit you receive to your armour class by wearing this armour is reduced by 1. The armour may be repaired at a blacksmith for 50% of its original purchase value.
Disfiguring Burns
Your face has been disfigured by the corrosion of the acid. You have disadvantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks, and advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as Heal and Regenerate, removes the disfiguration.
Smelly
The powerful scent of acid remains on your body for 1d4 hours. Any creating attempting to detect you relying on scent has advantage on any ability checks made to do so.
Psychic Damage
This table can be rolled on when Psychic damage causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Long Term Madness. 2-3 Recurring Nightmares. 4-6 Mental Lethargy 7-9 Visual Hallucinations 1-2 Short Term Madness 10-15 Paranoia 15-20 Headache 1-2 Mirthfulness Madness
Roll for a Long Term Madness effect in the Dungeons Masters Guide in chapter 8.
Recurring Nightmares
Whenever you take a long rest roll a d20. On a 10 or above, you suffer no ill effects. On a 9 or below, you suffer a nightmare relating to the cause of your lingering injury and do not benefit from the effects of the long rest. As part of your restlessness, you gain a level of exhaustion when you wake. The recurring nightmares are cured by magical healing such as the Greater Restoration spell, or by succeeding on your check three times.
Mental Lethargy
For the next 1d4 days, you have disadvantage on Constitution saving throws made to maintain concentration on spells. This injury is cured by magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Visual Hallucinations**
For the next 1d4 days, you have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks made using your sight, as intrusive hallucinations make it difficult to concentrate. This injury is cured by magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Short Term Madness
Roll for a Short Term Madness effect in the Dungeons Masters Guide in chapter 8.
Paranoia
For the next 1d4 days, you have disadvantage on Wisdom (Insight) checks thanks to a mistrust caused by the psychic damage. This injury is cured by magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Headache
For the next 1d4 hours you have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks made relying on sound. This injury is cured with magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Mirthfulness
For the next 1d4 hours you find everything funnier than it ought to be. You often burst into peals of uncontrollable laughter. You have disadvantage on stealth checks made within earshot of enemies. This injury is cured with magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Appendix
Appendage Table
Roll on this table to determine the appendage affected by a lingering injury. If the affected character has other appendages, such as a tail or wings, you may modify the table to include those.
d20 Appendage 1-5 Right Hand 6-10 Left Hand 11-15 Right Foot 16-20 Left Foot
Extradimensional | Better Lingering Injuries in D&D 5e
The lingering injuries table in the DMG is too boring and too punishing. Here's a better one.
(extradimension.al)
The one thing that sticks out to me is the greater injuries naturally healing in 3 hours (if you roll well). I feel like it would make more sense if they become downgraded to a lesser injury (eg. severe burn becomes moderate/minor burn) when healed naturally.
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I wrote a blog post about how Lingering Injuries in the DMG kind of sucks, and proposed better rules:
In the Dungeon Master's Guide (2014), there is a section in chapter 9 under the section titled “Lingering Injuries” that applied when a character took a critical hit, dropped to zero hitpoints, or fails a death saving throw by 5 or more. In one of the campaigns I ran, our playgroup wanted a slightly harsher ruleset, but we found the lingering injuries as written to not be particularly fun. We found it to be too frequent; player characters would often end up with many lingering injuries ‒ too severe; player characters would end up with debilitating injuries and it wouldn't be fun to play then ‒ and not applicable to the kind of damage received; how could a character lose an arm after breathing a toxic gas?
So, I present reworked rules for lingering injuries that are more fun and make more sense.
Circumstances for sustaining a Lingering Injury
- When a character is dropped to 0 hit points by a critical hit
- When a character is stabilized or healed after failing two death saving throws
- When a character is revived after dying
We found these conditions to be sufficiently uncommon such that lingering injuries were rare. When a character sustains a lingering injury, roll on one of the following tables applicable to the kind of damage sustained. The tables are arranged such that injuries get worse the lower you roll. Players may use their inspiration, if they have any, to reduce the chances of receiving a severe injury.
Physical Damage
This table can be rolled on when physical damage such as Bludgeoning, Piercing, Slashing, or Force causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Lose an appendage. 2 Break an appendage. 3-4 Limp. 5-6 Internal Injury 7-9 Broken Rib 10-12 Horrible Scar 13-15 Festering Wound 16-20 Minor Scar Lose an appendage
Roll on the appendages table. You lose the corresponding appendage. If you have already lost that appendage, then nothing occurs. If you lose an arm you cannot hold anything with two hands and can only hold a single object at a time. If you lose a leg, your speed on foot is halved, and you must use a cane or a crutch to move unless you have a peg leg or other prosthesis. You fall prone after using the Dash action. You have disadvantage on dexterity checks made to balance. In both cases, magic such as the Regenerate spell can restore the lost appendage. At the DMs discretion, players may be able to lessen the negative effects over time of losing an appendage as their player character learns to adapt to their altered form.
Break an appendage
Roll on the appendages table. You suffer the same negative effects as losing an appendage, except the injury heals if you receive magical healing such as the Greater Restoration spell or spend two tendays doing nothing but resting.
Limp
Your speed on foot is reduced by 5 feet. You must make a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw after using the Dash action or fall prone. The limp heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Internal Injury
Whenever you attempt an action in combat or in other sufficiently high intensity circumstances at the DMs discretion, you must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, you lose your actions and are unable to make reactions until the start of your next turn. The injury heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Broken Rib
This has the same effect as an internal injury, except the Constitution saving throw DC is 10 instead of 15.
Horrible Scar
You are disfigured to the extent that the wound cannot easily be concealed. You have disadvantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks, and advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as Heal and Regenerate, removes the scar.
Festering Wound
Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1d4 and again by 1d4 every day at dawn while the wound persists. If your hit point maximum is reduced to 0 this way, you die. The wound heals if you receive magical healing such as Lesser Restoration. Alternatively, somebody tending to the wound can make a DC 10 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every 24 hours, negating the hit point reduction on a success, and completely healing the wound after three successes. Once the wound is healed in either way, the reduction to your hit point maximum is undone.
Minor Scar
A minor scar has no adverse effect beyond cosmetic. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate removes the scar.
Heat Damage
This table can be rolled on when heat damage such as Fire, Radiant, or Lightning causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Lose an appendage. 2-3 Severe Burns. 4-6 Moderate Burns 7-9 Minor Burns 10-12 Temporary Blindness 13-15 Dehydration 16-20 Singed Hair Lose an appendage
Your burns are so severe that you lose an appendage. Roll on the appendages table. You lose the corresponding appendage. If you have already lost that appendage, then nothing occurs. If you lose an arm you cannot hold anything with two hands and can only hold a single object at a time. If you lose a leg, your speed on foot is halved, and you must use a can or a crutch to move unless you have a peg leg or other prosthesis. You fall prone after using the Dash action. You have disadvantage on dexterity checks made to balance. In both cases, magic such as the Regenerate spell can restore the lost appendage. At the DMs discretion, players may be able to lessen the negative effects over time of losing an appendage as their player character learns to adapt to their altered form.
Severe Burns
You suffer severe burns across your entire body. Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1d4 and again by 1d4 every hour while the burns persist. If your hit point maximum is reduced to 0 this way, you die. While the burns persist, you have vulnerability to fire, lightning, and radiant damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the burns. Alternatively, somebody tending to the wound can make a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every hour, negating the hit point reduction on a success, and completely healing the wound after three successes. Once the wound is healed in either way, the reduction to your hit point maximum is undone.
Moderate Burns
You suffer moderate burns across a significant part of your body. Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1d4 and again by 1d4 every day at dawn while the burns persist. If your hit point maximum is reduced to 0 this way, you die. While the burns persist, you have vulnerability to fire, lightning, and radiant damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the burns. Alternatively, somebody tending to the wound can make a DC 10 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every 24 hours, negating the hit point reduction on a success, and completely healing the wound after three successes. Once the wound is healed in either way, the reduction to your hit point maximum is undone.
Minor Burns
You suffer minor burns to some of your body. While the burns persist, you have vulnerability to fire, lightning, and radiant damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the burns. The burns heal completely after a tenday.
Temporary Blindness
The heat damage you received has caused temporary blindness. Until healed, you suffer the blinded condition. Magical healing such as Lesser Restoration heals the blindness. The blindness heals completely after a tenday.
Dehydration
The heat damage has caused you to become dehydrated. Make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, you suffer a level of exhaustion. Repeat this saving throw each day at dawn until you succeed. You have advantage on subsequent saving throws if you are able to consume a full days worth of water in the 24 hours preceding the saving throw.
Singed Hair
The heat has caused your hair (if you have any) to become singed. Roll a d20. On a 10 or greater only some of your hair has been singed. On a 9 or lower all of your hair has been singed off.
Cold and Necrotic Damage
This table can be rolled on when cold or necrotic damage causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Lose an appendage. 2-3 Severe Frostbite or Necrosis. 4-6 Moderate Frostbite or Necrosis 7-9 Minor Frostbite or Necrosis 10-15 Numbness 15-20 Blue Lips Lose an appendage
Your frostbite/necrosis is so severe that you lose an appendage. Roll on the appendages table. You lose the corresponding appendage. If you have already lost that appendage, then nothing occurs. If you lose an arm you cannot hold anything with two hands and can only hold a single object at a time. If you lose a leg, your speed on foot is halved, and you must use a can or a crutch to move unless you have a peg leg or other prosthesis. You fall prone after using the Dash action. You have disadvantage on dexterity checks made to balance. In both cases, magic such as the Regenerate spell can restore the lost appendage. At the DMs discretion, players may be able to lessen the negative effects over time of losing an appendage as their player character learns to adapt to their altered form.
Severe Frostbite or Necrosis
You suffer frostbite/necrosis across your entire body. Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1d4 and again by 1d4 every hour while the injury persists. If your hit point maximum is reduced to 0 this way, you die. While the injury persists, you have vulnerability to cold and necrotic damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the injury. Alternatively, somebody tending to the wound can make a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every hour, negating the hit point reduction on a success, and completely healing the wound after three successes. Once the wound is healed in either way, the reduction to your hit point maximum is undone.
Moderate Frostbite or Necrosis
You suffer moderate frostbite/necrosis across a significant part of your body. Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1d4 and again by 1d4 every day at dawn while the injury persists. If your hit point maximum is reduced to 0 this way, you die. While the injury persists, you have vulnerability to cold and necrotic damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the burns. Alternatively, somebody tending to the wound can make a DC 10 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every 24 hours, negating the hit point reduction on a success, and completely healing the wound after three successes. Once the wound is healed in either way, the reduction to your hit point maximum is undone.
Minor Frostbite or Necrosis
You suffer minor frostbite/necrosis to some of your body. While the burns persist, you have vulnerability to cold and necrotic damage. Magical healing of 6th level or greater, such as Heal and Regenerate heals the injury. The injury heals completely after a tenday.
Numbness
The cold or necrotic damage has caused numbness. You have disadvantage on sleight of hand checks and on initiative rolls for the next hour. Magical healing such as Lesser Restoration removes this effect.
Blue Lips
The lack of blood circulation causes your lips to turn blue for the next hour.
Thunder Damage
This table can be rolled on when thunder damage causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Deafness. 2-3 Internal Injury. 4-6 Concussion 7-9 Temporary Deafness 10-15 Ringing Headache 15-20 Disoriented Deafness
The extreme sound has caused you to go permanently deaf. Unless healed, you permanently gain the deafened condition. Magical healing such as Greater Restoration can cure this injury.
Internal Injury
The shockwave caused by the thunder damage has caused an internal injury. Whenever you attempt an action in combat or in other sufficiently high intensity circumstances at the DMs discretion, you must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, you lose your actions and are unable to make reactions until the start of your next turn. The injury heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Concussion
The shockwave has caused a concussion. While concussed, you have disadvantage on all Intelligence ability checks, attack rolls, and saving throws. The concussion heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Temporary Deafness
The thunder damage has caused temporary deafness. For the next 1d4 hours you gain the deafened condition. You lose this condition if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Ringing Headache
For the next 1d4 hours you have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks made relying on sound. This injury is cured with magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Disoriented
The thunder damage has caused disorientation. For the next 10 minutes you have disadvantage on all ability checks to locate your way or read maps.
Acid Damage
This table can be rolled on when acid damage causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Blinded. 2-3 Corroded Arms. 4-6 Corroded Legs 7-9 Corroded Armour 10-15 Disfiguring Burns 15-20 Smelly Blinded
The acid damage has corroded your eyes. Unless healed, you permanently gain the blinded condition. You lose this condition if you receive magical healing such as the Greater Restoration spell.
Corroded Arms
Your arms have been badly damaged by the corroding effects of the acid damage. Until healed, you have disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls relying on the use of your arms, including spells cast that have somatic components, and attack rolls made with weapons such as swords or bows. The injury heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Corroded Legs
Your legs have been badly damaged by the corroding effects of the acid damage. Until healed, your speed is reduced by 5 feet, and after taking the dash action you must succeed on a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw or fall prone. The injury heals if you receive magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell, or if you spend a tenday doing nothing but resting.
Corroded Armour
If wearing armour while you took the acid damage it has been corroded. The benefit you receive to your armour class by wearing this armour is reduced by 1. The armour may be repaired at a blacksmith for 50% of its original purchase value.
Disfiguring Burns
Your face has been disfigured by the corrosion of the acid. You have disadvantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks, and advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as Heal and Regenerate, removes the disfiguration.
Smelly
The powerful scent of acid remains on your body for 1d4 hours. Any creating attempting to detect you relying on scent has advantage on any ability checks made to do so.
Psychic Damage
This table can be rolled on when Psychic damage causes a lingering injury.
d20 Injury 1 Long Term Madness. 2-3 Recurring Nightmares. 4-6 Mental Lethargy 7-9 Visual Hallucinations 1-2 Short Term Madness 10-15 Paranoia 15-20 Headache 1-2 Mirthfulness Madness
Roll for a Long Term Madness effect in the Dungeons Masters Guide in chapter 8.
Recurring Nightmares
Whenever you take a long rest roll a d20. On a 10 or above, you suffer no ill effects. On a 9 or below, you suffer a nightmare relating to the cause of your lingering injury and do not benefit from the effects of the long rest. As part of your restlessness, you gain a level of exhaustion when you wake. The recurring nightmares are cured by magical healing such as the Greater Restoration spell, or by succeeding on your check three times.
Mental Lethargy
For the next 1d4 days, you have disadvantage on Constitution saving throws made to maintain concentration on spells. This injury is cured by magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Visual Hallucinations**
For the next 1d4 days, you have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks made using your sight, as intrusive hallucinations make it difficult to concentrate. This injury is cured by magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Short Term Madness
Roll for a Short Term Madness effect in the Dungeons Masters Guide in chapter 8.
Paranoia
For the next 1d4 days, you have disadvantage on Wisdom (Insight) checks thanks to a mistrust caused by the psychic damage. This injury is cured by magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Headache
For the next 1d4 hours you have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks made relying on sound. This injury is cured with magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Mirthfulness
For the next 1d4 hours you find everything funnier than it ought to be. You often burst into peals of uncontrollable laughter. You have disadvantage on stealth checks made within earshot of enemies. This injury is cured with magical healing such as the Lesser Restoration spell.
Appendix
Appendage Table
Roll on this table to determine the appendage affected by a lingering injury. If the affected character has other appendages, such as a tail or wings, you may modify the table to include those.
d20 Appendage 1-5 Right Hand 6-10 Left Hand 11-15 Right Foot 16-20 Left Foot
Extradimensional | Better Lingering Injuries in D&D 5e
The lingering injuries table in the DMG is too boring and too punishing. Here's a better one.
(extradimension.al)
I haven't read all of this (short attention span), but the thing that caught my eye was Horrible Scar. I really like the combination of Disadvantage on some cha cheks, balanced with Advantage in others.
I think the reality of detrimental and debilitating lingering injuries disagrees with the power fantasy of TTRPGs for some players, myself included, so I am unlikrly to want to subscribe to a system that is mostly "unfun." However, if the mechanical aspects of these temporary or permanent effects include some upsides, I as a player will be more likely to consent to the implementation of such a system.
No one wants the reality of a lingering injury, e.g. blindness, yet Daredevil makes us yearn for the superhuman echolocation that he exhibits. Something like "You permanently have the blinded condition, but your other senses are heightened. You have advantage on perception checks made to smell or hear. You also have blindsight to a rafius of 5ft. For every year that you have this condition, your blindsight increases by 5ft, up to a maximum of 30ft. You temporarily lose this sense for 1d4 rounds after taking thunder damage." As a DM, I would immediately add a Ghost encounter to my todo list, because someone afflicted in this way getting aged up would be a boon!
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I do find it puzzling when people homebrew and tinker and modify D&D 5e to fix all the things they don't like, but they don't want to just change to another system. It's mostly harmless, at least.
The hurdle I see to that is not necessarily changing system myself, but convincing my playgroup to change too. It's hard enough scheduling the group, let alone getting them to learn a new system!
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The hurdle I see to that is not necessarily changing system myself, but convincing my playgroup to change too. It's hard enough scheduling the group, let alone getting them to learn a new system!
yeah, it really depends on the group. Some people love learning new stuff. Some people are like absolutely phobic of it.
Though I have a half-serious hypothesis: Some players are so bad at rules, the kind of player that asks every week "what do I roll to attack again?", that you could just change the system without telling them and they wouldn't notice and do any worse.
Though that's less true for systems that require creative player buy-in like Fate. D&D in the "I move and attack" mode can be phoned in easier, I think.
