Can an unconscious PC or NPC reject healing from a potion?
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After examining the 5e PHB on healing (pg 197) and perusing through various healing spells, I have found no reference to willingness as a required component for HP to be restored. The context for this question is a PC or NPC who, having been reduced to 0HP, wishes to die rather than be captured alive.
Can an unconscious player character or NPC reject healing from a potion? Please note that I am not referring to any form of resurrection, strictly to healing from potions.
Is there any core rule which states that the healee must 'opt in' to potion effects, or does RAW, by its silence on the matter, indicate that the unconscious PC/NPC in my case could be forced back to consciousness by the potion?
dnd-5e healing potions
edited Feb 12 at 0:34
doppelgreener♦
32.4k11137231
asked Feb 11 at 18:34
frogfrog
627412
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
After examining the 5e PHB on healing (pg 197) and perusing through various healing spells, I have found no reference to willingness as a required component for HP to be restored. The context for this question is a PC or NPC who, having been reduced to 0HP, wishes to die rather than be captured alive.
Can an unconscious player character or NPC reject healing from a potion? Please note that I am not referring to any form of resurrection, strictly to healing from potions.
Is there any core rule which states that the healee must 'opt in' to potion effects, or does RAW, by its silence on the matter, indicate that the unconscious PC/NPC in my case could be forced back to consciousness by the potion?
dnd-5e healing potions
edited Feb 12 at 0:34
doppelgreener♦
32.4k11137231
asked Feb 11 at 18:34
frogfrog
627412
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
Let us continue this discussion in chat.
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– NautArch
Feb 11 at 19:02
2
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Related on Can an unconscious person drink a potion?
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– NautArch
Feb 11 at 19:36
3
$begingroup$
Related (for spells): Do targets get a saving throw if they don't want a positive magic effect from a spell? (not a duplicate because spells and potions are mechanically different)
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– Rubiksmoose
Feb 11 at 20:37
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Also compare the reverse, which deals with choosing to accept a hostile effect rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/47487/…
$endgroup$
– Pingcode
Feb 12 at 12:34
add a comment |
$begingroup$
After examining the 5e PHB on healing (pg 197) and perusing through various healing spells, I have found no reference to willingness as a required component for HP to be restored. The context for this question is a PC or NPC who, having been reduced to 0HP, wishes to die rather than be captured alive.
Can an unconscious player character or NPC reject healing from a potion? Please note that I am not referring to any form of resurrection, strictly to healing from potions.
Is there any core rule which states that the healee must 'opt in' to potion effects, or does RAW, by its silence on the matter, indicate that the unconscious PC/NPC in my case could be forced back to consciousness by the potion?
dnd-5e healing potions
edited Feb 12 at 0:34
doppelgreener♦
32.4k11137231
asked Feb 11 at 18:34
frogfrog
627412
$endgroup$
After examining the 5e PHB on healing (pg 197) and perusing through various healing spells, I have found no reference to willingness as a required component for HP to be restored. The context for this question is a PC or NPC who, having been reduced to 0HP, wishes to die rather than be captured alive.
Can an unconscious player character or NPC reject healing from a potion? Please note that I am not referring to any form of resurrection, strictly to healing from potions.
Is there any core rule which states that the healee must 'opt in' to potion effects, or does RAW, by its silence on the matter, indicate that the unconscious PC/NPC in my case could be forced back to consciousness by the potion?
dnd-5e healing potions
dnd-5e healing potions
edited Feb 12 at 0:34
doppelgreener♦
32.4k11137231
asked Feb 11 at 18:34
frogfrog
627412
edited Feb 12 at 0:34
doppelgreener♦
32.4k11137231
asked Feb 11 at 18:34
frogfrog
627412
edited Feb 12 at 0:34
doppelgreener♦
32.4k11137231
edited Feb 12 at 0:34
doppelgreener♦
32.4k11137231
edited Feb 12 at 0:34
doppelgreener♦
32.4k11137231
32.4k11137231
asked Feb 11 at 18:34
frogfrog
627412
asked Feb 11 at 18:34
frogfrog
627412
asked Feb 11 at 18:34
frogfrog
627412
627412
1
$begingroup$
Let us continue this discussion in chat.
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– NautArch
Feb 11 at 19:02
2
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Related on Can an unconscious person drink a potion?
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– NautArch
Feb 11 at 19:36
3
$begingroup$
Related (for spells): Do targets get a saving throw if they don't want a positive magic effect from a spell? (not a duplicate because spells and potions are mechanically different)
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
Feb 11 at 20:37
$begingroup$
Also compare the reverse, which deals with choosing to accept a hostile effect rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/47487/…
$endgroup$
– Pingcode
Feb 12 at 12:34
add a comment |
1
$begingroup$
Let us continue this discussion in chat.
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Feb 11 at 19:02
2
$begingroup$
Related on Can an unconscious person drink a potion?
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Feb 11 at 19:36
3
$begingroup$
Related (for spells): Do targets get a saving throw if they don't want a positive magic effect from a spell? (not a duplicate because spells and potions are mechanically different)
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
Feb 11 at 20:37
$begingroup$
Also compare the reverse, which deals with choosing to accept a hostile effect rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/47487/…
$endgroup$
– Pingcode
Feb 12 at 12:34
1
1
$begingroup$
Let us continue this discussion in chat.
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Feb 11 at 19:02
$begingroup$
Let us continue this discussion in chat.
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Feb 11 at 19:02
2
2
$begingroup$
Related on Can an unconscious person drink a potion?
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Feb 11 at 19:36
$begingroup$
Related on Can an unconscious person drink a potion?
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Feb 11 at 19:36
3
3
$begingroup$
Related (for spells): Do targets get a saving throw if they don't want a positive magic effect from a spell? (not a duplicate because spells and potions are mechanically different)
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
Feb 11 at 20:37
$begingroup$
Related (for spells): Do targets get a saving throw if they don't want a positive magic effect from a spell? (not a duplicate because spells and potions are mechanically different)
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
Feb 11 at 20:37
$begingroup$
Also compare the reverse, which deals with choosing to accept a hostile effect rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/47487/…
$endgroup$
– Pingcode
Feb 12 at 12:34
$begingroup$
Also compare the reverse, which deals with choosing to accept a hostile effect rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/47487/…
$endgroup$
– Pingcode
Feb 12 at 12:34
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
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You cannot choose to abstain from a potion effect
Potion of Healing states:
You regain hit points when you drink this potion.
In that language, there is no choice. Just cause and effect. You drink the potion, you regain hitpoints.
If you had a choice about potion effects, then the Potion of Poison would hold no threat.
This concoction[potion of poison] looks, smells, and tastes like a potion of healing or other beneficial potion...If you drink it, you take 3d6 poison damage...
If you could choose not to accept a potion's effects, then you could drink a Potion of Poison thinking it's one of Healing and then opt out of the effect.
Inability to decide anything
It's also important to note that the character is currently unconscious. Even if choice was possible, the only way they could make it is if they were conscious. Since they aren't, there definitely isn't a way for them to decline (just like how they can't decline drinking the potion.)
answered Feb 11 at 20:45
NautArchNautArch
56.2k8199375
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1
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In the absence of explicit rules text describing that healing is ever optional, I think this is solid reasoning
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– frog
Feb 11 at 22:42
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In theory, it might be possible for a person to decline such a thing by unconscious reflex (though that would probably have to be a class feature).
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– Brilliand
Feb 12 at 20:39
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@Brilliand if we think about it from a real life perspective, you'd almost always choke on a potion given to you while you're unconscious. Which would negate the helpful effect of the healing potion being administered by a friend (at least somewhat). I would think, if you allow characters to not choke when it's a good thing, you'd have to not allow characters to choke when it's unappreciated.
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– Kristen Hammack
Feb 12 at 21:41
1
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@KristenHammack I would think the action of "administering the potion" involves using the proper techniques to cause an unconscious person to safely drink the potion. Like... elevating the head, massaging the throat, and whatnot.
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– Brilliand
Feb 12 at 22:06
1
$begingroup$
@KristenHammack I totally get what you're saying, but 5e isn't a simulationist RPG and we just go by the rules (that, and well...magic...makes this hard to be simulationist with.) But it sounds like you may have an opposing viewpoing for this question. That's the best spot to present your argument - and not in the comments section here :)
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– NautArch
Feb 14 at 20:17
|
show 1 more comment
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If you could opt out of a healing potion's positive effects, what's to stop you from opting out of a poison's negative effects? Potions do exactly what they're intended to do. Same could be said for healing spells: you can no more deny the effects of a healing spell cast upon you than you can a fireball cast at you. If it hits, it lands.
edited Feb 11 at 20:49
SevenSidedDie♦
207k31665941
answered Feb 11 at 20:26
DarkWolfDarkWolf
1414
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5
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It might be worth noting that I'm not even sure how an unconscious person can actually choose anything. Even if they did have a choice how could they possible make it while passed out?
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– Rubiksmoose
Feb 11 at 20:50
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@Rubiksmoose I think as per...some edition, some specific magic's, specific wording, an unconscious person could decide to opt out of the effect. Still, that was explicitly for that spell, in that edition. It was something to do (IIRC) with the spell affecting their soul, so you do get a choice then. But I'd agree that when a conscious choice (as opposed to "soul" or whatever) is involved, an unconscious person would by definition not be able to make it. Though I can see a possibility for a Fortitude check to reject a foreign substance by reflexively cough/choke instead of gulping it.
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– VLAZ
Feb 12 at 8:55
1
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@VLAZ you're thinking of some resurrection spells which require the soul to be willing I think. Obviously that doesn't apply here as you point out.
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– Rubiksmoose
Feb 12 at 11:43
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@Rubiksmoose yeah, probably. At an rate, I do agree with you. This is not really a spell to begin with. Secondly, a choice implies that it has to be consciously made, which somebody who is unconscious cannot do. So, like you I am not quite sure how the question came about as neither RAW, nor RAI, nor common sense would imply you have the option to refuse the potion and its effects.
$endgroup$
– VLAZ
Feb 12 at 12:15
add a comment |
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2 Answers
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2 Answers
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$begingroup$
You cannot choose to abstain from a potion effect
Potion of Healing states:
You regain hit points when you drink this potion.
In that language, there is no choice. Just cause and effect. You drink the potion, you regain hitpoints.
If you had a choice about potion effects, then the Potion of Poison would hold no threat.
This concoction[potion of poison] looks, smells, and tastes like a potion of healing or other beneficial potion...If you drink it, you take 3d6 poison damage...
If you could choose not to accept a potion's effects, then you could drink a Potion of Poison thinking it's one of Healing and then opt out of the effect.
Inability to decide anything
It's also important to note that the character is currently unconscious. Even if choice was possible, the only way they could make it is if they were conscious. Since they aren't, there definitely isn't a way for them to decline (just like how they can't decline drinking the potion.)
answered Feb 11 at 20:45
NautArchNautArch
56.2k8199375
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
In the absence of explicit rules text describing that healing is ever optional, I think this is solid reasoning
$endgroup$
– frog
Feb 11 at 22:42
$begingroup$
In theory, it might be possible for a person to decline such a thing by unconscious reflex (though that would probably have to be a class feature).
$endgroup$
– Brilliand
Feb 12 at 20:39
$begingroup$
@Brilliand if we think about it from a real life perspective, you'd almost always choke on a potion given to you while you're unconscious. Which would negate the helpful effect of the healing potion being administered by a friend (at least somewhat). I would think, if you allow characters to not choke when it's a good thing, you'd have to not allow characters to choke when it's unappreciated.
$endgroup$
– Kristen Hammack
Feb 12 at 21:41
1
$begingroup$
@KristenHammack I would think the action of "administering the potion" involves using the proper techniques to cause an unconscious person to safely drink the potion. Like... elevating the head, massaging the throat, and whatnot.
$endgroup$
– Brilliand
Feb 12 at 22:06
1
$begingroup$
@KristenHammack I totally get what you're saying, but 5e isn't a simulationist RPG and we just go by the rules (that, and well...magic...makes this hard to be simulationist with.) But it sounds like you may have an opposing viewpoing for this question. That's the best spot to present your argument - and not in the comments section here :)
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Feb 14 at 20:17
|
show 1 more comment
$begingroup$
You cannot choose to abstain from a potion effect
Potion of Healing states:
You regain hit points when you drink this potion.
In that language, there is no choice. Just cause and effect. You drink the potion, you regain hitpoints.
If you had a choice about potion effects, then the Potion of Poison would hold no threat.
This concoction[potion of poison] looks, smells, and tastes like a potion of healing or other beneficial potion...If you drink it, you take 3d6 poison damage...
If you could choose not to accept a potion's effects, then you could drink a Potion of Poison thinking it's one of Healing and then opt out of the effect.
Inability to decide anything
It's also important to note that the character is currently unconscious. Even if choice was possible, the only way they could make it is if they were conscious. Since they aren't, there definitely isn't a way for them to decline (just like how they can't decline drinking the potion.)
answered Feb 11 at 20:45
NautArchNautArch
56.2k8199375
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
In the absence of explicit rules text describing that healing is ever optional, I think this is solid reasoning
$endgroup$
– frog
Feb 11 at 22:42
$begingroup$
In theory, it might be possible for a person to decline such a thing by unconscious reflex (though that would probably have to be a class feature).
$endgroup$
– Brilliand
Feb 12 at 20:39
$begingroup$
@Brilliand if we think about it from a real life perspective, you'd almost always choke on a potion given to you while you're unconscious. Which would negate the helpful effect of the healing potion being administered by a friend (at least somewhat). I would think, if you allow characters to not choke when it's a good thing, you'd have to not allow characters to choke when it's unappreciated.
$endgroup$
– Kristen Hammack
Feb 12 at 21:41
1
$begingroup$
@KristenHammack I would think the action of "administering the potion" involves using the proper techniques to cause an unconscious person to safely drink the potion. Like... elevating the head, massaging the throat, and whatnot.
$endgroup$
– Brilliand
Feb 12 at 22:06
1
$begingroup$
@KristenHammack I totally get what you're saying, but 5e isn't a simulationist RPG and we just go by the rules (that, and well...magic...makes this hard to be simulationist with.) But it sounds like you may have an opposing viewpoing for this question. That's the best spot to present your argument - and not in the comments section here :)
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Feb 14 at 20:17
|
show 1 more comment
$begingroup$
You cannot choose to abstain from a potion effect
Potion of Healing states:
You regain hit points when you drink this potion.
In that language, there is no choice. Just cause and effect. You drink the potion, you regain hitpoints.
If you had a choice about potion effects, then the Potion of Poison would hold no threat.
This concoction[potion of poison] looks, smells, and tastes like a potion of healing or other beneficial potion...If you drink it, you take 3d6 poison damage...
If you could choose not to accept a potion's effects, then you could drink a Potion of Poison thinking it's one of Healing and then opt out of the effect.
Inability to decide anything
It's also important to note that the character is currently unconscious. Even if choice was possible, the only way they could make it is if they were conscious. Since they aren't, there definitely isn't a way for them to decline (just like how they can't decline drinking the potion.)
answered Feb 11 at 20:45
NautArchNautArch
56.2k8199375
$endgroup$
You cannot choose to abstain from a potion effect
Potion of Healing states:
You regain hit points when you drink this potion.
In that language, there is no choice. Just cause and effect. You drink the potion, you regain hitpoints.
If you had a choice about potion effects, then the Potion of Poison would hold no threat.
This concoction[potion of poison] looks, smells, and tastes like a potion of healing or other beneficial potion...If you drink it, you take 3d6 poison damage...
If you could choose not to accept a potion's effects, then you could drink a Potion of Poison thinking it's one of Healing and then opt out of the effect.
Inability to decide anything
It's also important to note that the character is currently unconscious. Even if choice was possible, the only way they could make it is if they were conscious. Since they aren't, there definitely isn't a way for them to decline (just like how they can't decline drinking the potion.)
answered Feb 11 at 20:45
NautArchNautArch
56.2k8199375
edited Feb 11 at 20:53
answered Feb 11 at 20:45
NautArchNautArch
56.2k8199375
answered Feb 11 at 20:45
NautArchNautArch
56.2k8199375
answered Feb 11 at 20:45
NautArchNautArch
56.2k8199375
56.2k8199375
1
$begingroup$
In the absence of explicit rules text describing that healing is ever optional, I think this is solid reasoning
$endgroup$
– frog
Feb 11 at 22:42
$begingroup$
In theory, it might be possible for a person to decline such a thing by unconscious reflex (though that would probably have to be a class feature).
$endgroup$
– Brilliand
Feb 12 at 20:39
$begingroup$
@Brilliand if we think about it from a real life perspective, you'd almost always choke on a potion given to you while you're unconscious. Which would negate the helpful effect of the healing potion being administered by a friend (at least somewhat). I would think, if you allow characters to not choke when it's a good thing, you'd have to not allow characters to choke when it's unappreciated.
$endgroup$
– Kristen Hammack
Feb 12 at 21:41
1
$begingroup$
@KristenHammack I would think the action of "administering the potion" involves using the proper techniques to cause an unconscious person to safely drink the potion. Like... elevating the head, massaging the throat, and whatnot.
$endgroup$
– Brilliand
Feb 12 at 22:06
1
$begingroup$
@KristenHammack I totally get what you're saying, but 5e isn't a simulationist RPG and we just go by the rules (that, and well...magic...makes this hard to be simulationist with.) But it sounds like you may have an opposing viewpoing for this question. That's the best spot to present your argument - and not in the comments section here :)
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Feb 14 at 20:17
|
show 1 more comment
1
$begingroup$
In the absence of explicit rules text describing that healing is ever optional, I think this is solid reasoning
$endgroup$
– frog
Feb 11 at 22:42
$begingroup$
In theory, it might be possible for a person to decline such a thing by unconscious reflex (though that would probably have to be a class feature).
$endgroup$
– Brilliand
Feb 12 at 20:39
$begingroup$
@Brilliand if we think about it from a real life perspective, you'd almost always choke on a potion given to you while you're unconscious. Which would negate the helpful effect of the healing potion being administered by a friend (at least somewhat). I would think, if you allow characters to not choke when it's a good thing, you'd have to not allow characters to choke when it's unappreciated.
$endgroup$
– Kristen Hammack
Feb 12 at 21:41
1
$begingroup$
@KristenHammack I would think the action of "administering the potion" involves using the proper techniques to cause an unconscious person to safely drink the potion. Like... elevating the head, massaging the throat, and whatnot.
$endgroup$
– Brilliand
Feb 12 at 22:06
1
$begingroup$
@KristenHammack I totally get what you're saying, but 5e isn't a simulationist RPG and we just go by the rules (that, and well...magic...makes this hard to be simulationist with.) But it sounds like you may have an opposing viewpoing for this question. That's the best spot to present your argument - and not in the comments section here :)
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Feb 14 at 20:17
1
1
$begingroup$
In the absence of explicit rules text describing that healing is ever optional, I think this is solid reasoning
$endgroup$
– frog
Feb 11 at 22:42
$begingroup$
In the absence of explicit rules text describing that healing is ever optional, I think this is solid reasoning
$endgroup$
– frog
Feb 11 at 22:42
$begingroup$
In theory, it might be possible for a person to decline such a thing by unconscious reflex (though that would probably have to be a class feature).
$endgroup$
– Brilliand
Feb 12 at 20:39
$begingroup$
In theory, it might be possible for a person to decline such a thing by unconscious reflex (though that would probably have to be a class feature).
$endgroup$
– Brilliand
Feb 12 at 20:39
$begingroup$
@Brilliand if we think about it from a real life perspective, you'd almost always choke on a potion given to you while you're unconscious. Which would negate the helpful effect of the healing potion being administered by a friend (at least somewhat). I would think, if you allow characters to not choke when it's a good thing, you'd have to not allow characters to choke when it's unappreciated.
$endgroup$
– Kristen Hammack
Feb 12 at 21:41
$begingroup$
@Brilliand if we think about it from a real life perspective, you'd almost always choke on a potion given to you while you're unconscious. Which would negate the helpful effect of the healing potion being administered by a friend (at least somewhat). I would think, if you allow characters to not choke when it's a good thing, you'd have to not allow characters to choke when it's unappreciated.
$endgroup$
– Kristen Hammack
Feb 12 at 21:41
1
1
$begingroup$
@KristenHammack I would think the action of "administering the potion" involves using the proper techniques to cause an unconscious person to safely drink the potion. Like... elevating the head, massaging the throat, and whatnot.
$endgroup$
– Brilliand
Feb 12 at 22:06
$begingroup$
@KristenHammack I would think the action of "administering the potion" involves using the proper techniques to cause an unconscious person to safely drink the potion. Like... elevating the head, massaging the throat, and whatnot.
$endgroup$
– Brilliand
Feb 12 at 22:06
1
1
$begingroup$
@KristenHammack I totally get what you're saying, but 5e isn't a simulationist RPG and we just go by the rules (that, and well...magic...makes this hard to be simulationist with.) But it sounds like you may have an opposing viewpoing for this question. That's the best spot to present your argument - and not in the comments section here :)
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Feb 14 at 20:17
$begingroup$
@KristenHammack I totally get what you're saying, but 5e isn't a simulationist RPG and we just go by the rules (that, and well...magic...makes this hard to be simulationist with.) But it sounds like you may have an opposing viewpoing for this question. That's the best spot to present your argument - and not in the comments section here :)
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Feb 14 at 20:17
|
show 1 more comment
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If you could opt out of a healing potion's positive effects, what's to stop you from opting out of a poison's negative effects? Potions do exactly what they're intended to do. Same could be said for healing spells: you can no more deny the effects of a healing spell cast upon you than you can a fireball cast at you. If it hits, it lands.
edited Feb 11 at 20:49
SevenSidedDie♦
207k31665941
answered Feb 11 at 20:26
DarkWolfDarkWolf
1414
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5
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It might be worth noting that I'm not even sure how an unconscious person can actually choose anything. Even if they did have a choice how could they possible make it while passed out?
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– Rubiksmoose
Feb 11 at 20:50
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@Rubiksmoose I think as per...some edition, some specific magic's, specific wording, an unconscious person could decide to opt out of the effect. Still, that was explicitly for that spell, in that edition. It was something to do (IIRC) with the spell affecting their soul, so you do get a choice then. But I'd agree that when a conscious choice (as opposed to "soul" or whatever) is involved, an unconscious person would by definition not be able to make it. Though I can see a possibility for a Fortitude check to reject a foreign substance by reflexively cough/choke instead of gulping it.
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– VLAZ
Feb 12 at 8:55
1
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@VLAZ you're thinking of some resurrection spells which require the soul to be willing I think. Obviously that doesn't apply here as you point out.
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– Rubiksmoose
Feb 12 at 11:43
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@Rubiksmoose yeah, probably. At an rate, I do agree with you. This is not really a spell to begin with. Secondly, a choice implies that it has to be consciously made, which somebody who is unconscious cannot do. So, like you I am not quite sure how the question came about as neither RAW, nor RAI, nor common sense would imply you have the option to refuse the potion and its effects.
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– VLAZ
Feb 12 at 12:15
add a comment |
$begingroup$
If you could opt out of a healing potion's positive effects, what's to stop you from opting out of a poison's negative effects? Potions do exactly what they're intended to do. Same could be said for healing spells: you can no more deny the effects of a healing spell cast upon you than you can a fireball cast at you. If it hits, it lands.
edited Feb 11 at 20:49
SevenSidedDie♦
207k31665941
answered Feb 11 at 20:26
DarkWolfDarkWolf
1414
$endgroup$
5
$begingroup$
It might be worth noting that I'm not even sure how an unconscious person can actually choose anything. Even if they did have a choice how could they possible make it while passed out?
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
Feb 11 at 20:50
$begingroup$
@Rubiksmoose I think as per...some edition, some specific magic's, specific wording, an unconscious person could decide to opt out of the effect. Still, that was explicitly for that spell, in that edition. It was something to do (IIRC) with the spell affecting their soul, so you do get a choice then. But I'd agree that when a conscious choice (as opposed to "soul" or whatever) is involved, an unconscious person would by definition not be able to make it. Though I can see a possibility for a Fortitude check to reject a foreign substance by reflexively cough/choke instead of gulping it.
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– VLAZ
Feb 12 at 8:55
1
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@VLAZ you're thinking of some resurrection spells which require the soul to be willing I think. Obviously that doesn't apply here as you point out.
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
Feb 12 at 11:43
$begingroup$
@Rubiksmoose yeah, probably. At an rate, I do agree with you. This is not really a spell to begin with. Secondly, a choice implies that it has to be consciously made, which somebody who is unconscious cannot do. So, like you I am not quite sure how the question came about as neither RAW, nor RAI, nor common sense would imply you have the option to refuse the potion and its effects.
$endgroup$
– VLAZ
Feb 12 at 12:15
add a comment |
$begingroup$
If you could opt out of a healing potion's positive effects, what's to stop you from opting out of a poison's negative effects? Potions do exactly what they're intended to do. Same could be said for healing spells: you can no more deny the effects of a healing spell cast upon you than you can a fireball cast at you. If it hits, it lands.
edited Feb 11 at 20:49
SevenSidedDie♦
207k31665941
answered Feb 11 at 20:26
DarkWolfDarkWolf
1414
$endgroup$
If you could opt out of a healing potion's positive effects, what's to stop you from opting out of a poison's negative effects? Potions do exactly what they're intended to do. Same could be said for healing spells: you can no more deny the effects of a healing spell cast upon you than you can a fireball cast at you. If it hits, it lands.
edited Feb 11 at 20:49
SevenSidedDie♦
207k31665941
answered Feb 11 at 20:26
DarkWolfDarkWolf
1414
edited Feb 11 at 20:49
SevenSidedDie♦
207k31665941
edited Feb 11 at 20:49
SevenSidedDie♦
207k31665941
edited Feb 11 at 20:49
SevenSidedDie♦
207k31665941
207k31665941
answered Feb 11 at 20:26
DarkWolfDarkWolf
1414
answered Feb 11 at 20:26
DarkWolfDarkWolf
1414
answered Feb 11 at 20:26
DarkWolfDarkWolf
1414
1414
5
$begingroup$
It might be worth noting that I'm not even sure how an unconscious person can actually choose anything. Even if they did have a choice how could they possible make it while passed out?
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
Feb 11 at 20:50
$begingroup$
@Rubiksmoose I think as per...some edition, some specific magic's, specific wording, an unconscious person could decide to opt out of the effect. Still, that was explicitly for that spell, in that edition. It was something to do (IIRC) with the spell affecting their soul, so you do get a choice then. But I'd agree that when a conscious choice (as opposed to "soul" or whatever) is involved, an unconscious person would by definition not be able to make it. Though I can see a possibility for a Fortitude check to reject a foreign substance by reflexively cough/choke instead of gulping it.
$endgroup$
– VLAZ
Feb 12 at 8:55
1
$begingroup$
@VLAZ you're thinking of some resurrection spells which require the soul to be willing I think. Obviously that doesn't apply here as you point out.
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
Feb 12 at 11:43
$begingroup$
@Rubiksmoose yeah, probably. At an rate, I do agree with you. This is not really a spell to begin with. Secondly, a choice implies that it has to be consciously made, which somebody who is unconscious cannot do. So, like you I am not quite sure how the question came about as neither RAW, nor RAI, nor common sense would imply you have the option to refuse the potion and its effects.
$endgroup$
– VLAZ
Feb 12 at 12:15
add a comment |
5
$begingroup$
It might be worth noting that I'm not even sure how an unconscious person can actually choose anything. Even if they did have a choice how could they possible make it while passed out?
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
Feb 11 at 20:50
$begingroup$
@Rubiksmoose I think as per...some edition, some specific magic's, specific wording, an unconscious person could decide to opt out of the effect. Still, that was explicitly for that spell, in that edition. It was something to do (IIRC) with the spell affecting their soul, so you do get a choice then. But I'd agree that when a conscious choice (as opposed to "soul" or whatever) is involved, an unconscious person would by definition not be able to make it. Though I can see a possibility for a Fortitude check to reject a foreign substance by reflexively cough/choke instead of gulping it.
$endgroup$
– VLAZ
Feb 12 at 8:55
1
$begingroup$
@VLAZ you're thinking of some resurrection spells which require the soul to be willing I think. Obviously that doesn't apply here as you point out.
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
Feb 12 at 11:43
$begingroup$
@Rubiksmoose yeah, probably. At an rate, I do agree with you. This is not really a spell to begin with. Secondly, a choice implies that it has to be consciously made, which somebody who is unconscious cannot do. So, like you I am not quite sure how the question came about as neither RAW, nor RAI, nor common sense would imply you have the option to refuse the potion and its effects.
$endgroup$
– VLAZ
Feb 12 at 12:15
5
5
$begingroup$
It might be worth noting that I'm not even sure how an unconscious person can actually choose anything. Even if they did have a choice how could they possible make it while passed out?
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
Feb 11 at 20:50
$begingroup$
It might be worth noting that I'm not even sure how an unconscious person can actually choose anything. Even if they did have a choice how could they possible make it while passed out?
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
Feb 11 at 20:50
$begingroup$
@Rubiksmoose I think as per...some edition, some specific magic's, specific wording, an unconscious person could decide to opt out of the effect. Still, that was explicitly for that spell, in that edition. It was something to do (IIRC) with the spell affecting their soul, so you do get a choice then. But I'd agree that when a conscious choice (as opposed to "soul" or whatever) is involved, an unconscious person would by definition not be able to make it. Though I can see a possibility for a Fortitude check to reject a foreign substance by reflexively cough/choke instead of gulping it.
$endgroup$
– VLAZ
Feb 12 at 8:55
$begingroup$
@Rubiksmoose I think as per...some edition, some specific magic's, specific wording, an unconscious person could decide to opt out of the effect. Still, that was explicitly for that spell, in that edition. It was something to do (IIRC) with the spell affecting their soul, so you do get a choice then. But I'd agree that when a conscious choice (as opposed to "soul" or whatever) is involved, an unconscious person would by definition not be able to make it. Though I can see a possibility for a Fortitude check to reject a foreign substance by reflexively cough/choke instead of gulping it.
$endgroup$
– VLAZ
Feb 12 at 8:55
1
1
$begingroup$
@VLAZ you're thinking of some resurrection spells which require the soul to be willing I think. Obviously that doesn't apply here as you point out.
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
Feb 12 at 11:43
$begingroup$
@VLAZ you're thinking of some resurrection spells which require the soul to be willing I think. Obviously that doesn't apply here as you point out.
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
Feb 12 at 11:43
$begingroup$
@Rubiksmoose yeah, probably. At an rate, I do agree with you. This is not really a spell to begin with. Secondly, a choice implies that it has to be consciously made, which somebody who is unconscious cannot do. So, like you I am not quite sure how the question came about as neither RAW, nor RAI, nor common sense would imply you have the option to refuse the potion and its effects.
$endgroup$
– VLAZ
Feb 12 at 12:15
$begingroup$
@Rubiksmoose yeah, probably. At an rate, I do agree with you. This is not really a spell to begin with. Secondly, a choice implies that it has to be consciously made, which somebody who is unconscious cannot do. So, like you I am not quite sure how the question came about as neither RAW, nor RAI, nor common sense would imply you have the option to refuse the potion and its effects.
$endgroup$
– VLAZ
Feb 12 at 12:15
add a comment |
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Let us continue this discussion in chat.
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– NautArch
Feb 11 at 19:02
2
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Related on Can an unconscious person drink a potion?
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– NautArch
Feb 11 at 19:36
3
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Related (for spells): Do targets get a saving throw if they don't want a positive magic effect from a spell? (not a duplicate because spells and potions are mechanically different)
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– Rubiksmoose
Feb 11 at 20:37
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Also compare the reverse, which deals with choosing to accept a hostile effect rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/47487/…
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– Pingcode
Feb 12 at 12:34