View source for Publication:Unearthed Arcana/Alternate Save Failure Results

=== Alternate Save Failure Results ===

Failed massive damage [[Fortitude]] save rolls can be altered in several ways.

'''Dying Result:''' Instead of a failed Fortitude save against massive damage resulting in instant death, a failed save results in a character being reduced to &minus;1 hit point. The character becomes [[SRD:Dying|dying]] and unconscious, but can still become [[SRD:Stable|stable]] or be helped by his friends, just like any other character who is reduced to &minus;1 hp.

'''Near-Death Result:''' Alternatively, instead of a failed Fortitude save against massive damage resulting in instant death, a failed save results in a character being reduced to &minus;8 hp. The character is very close to death (having only a round or two to become stable or receive help), but isn’t automatically killed.

'''Variable Result:''' For an added bit of random change, a character who fails his Fortitude save against massive damage rolls 1d10 to determine his negative hit point total. A roll of 1 to 9 indicates the character is dying (at &minus;1 hp on a 1, &minus;2 on a 2, and so forth). A roll of 10 leaves the character with &minus;10 hit points, which means he is dead.

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