D&D 5E Chill touch vs Troll regeneration

[Actoba]

Quick noob question that I hope someone can give me an answer on.

The last playtest packet has the Chill Touch spell having the secondary effect of preventing hit point gain on a hit target until the mage's next turn. How would this interact with the Troll regeneration trait which specifically says only acid/fire prevents it?

Apologies if this is a noob question but I have no experience at all with previous versions and one of my players (we're all new to DnD and only have been playing using the various playtest rules) is asking whether Chill touch would have helped him when they recently fought some trolls.

I was almost tempted to say that it would cut the regeneration in half, or perhaps only allow it to regenerate if it would prevent death....how would you guys rule it?

 

[Kobold Stew]

This is a good catch, and I admit it could be clearer.

The entry for the Troll doesn't actually say only acid/fire prevent regeneration: it does say that the regeneration doesn't function in the turn immediately after receiving acid or fire damage. I.e. it gives one (typical) condition under which the regeneration does not work for a short time. I would not see this as an exhaustive list.

Chill touch is a much broader power: it prevents any recovery of (any) hit points -- including (it would seem) through the application of magical healing, lay on hands, etc.

I would say, as written, that Chill touch prevents the troll's regeneration. The cost for doing so, of course, is that the caster needs to stay within touch range of a troll each round (and therefore be open to its three attacks), and must successfully hit each time.

 

[gyor]

That is what familiars are for ;p

 

[Plaguescarred]

I agree Chill Touch's effect effectively prevent the Regeneration trait from regaining hit points.

 

[Actoba]

Thanks

The more I think about it your explanation makes sense, particularly with the risks associated with the Mage having to be up close and personal. I guess my main worry was that chill touch would end up being a little overpowered vs the trolls hence me trying to find an alternative to either allowing it to completely stop regeneration or essentially making the trolls immune to the secondary effect.

The risk involved for what would usually (arcane initiate feat aside) be a more squishy character to keep chill touch on the troll each round is probably a fair balance. Thanks again!

 

[steeldragons]

Sounds like you have the right of it...along with everyone else. I would rule that it does, indeed, prevent the troll regeneration for that 1 following round.

 

[Actoba]

Thanks all...makes sense with the risk of having to be up close that the effect still applies...and apologies if this ends up as a double post (i suspect my first few posts are moderated before showing up and i thought i had replied again to the thread already but perhaps i hadn't)

 

[JasonZZ]

You don't necessarily have to stay close with Chill Touch for this; it also makes a good coup-de-gras to finish off an incapacitated troll. It *would* make the battle easier, though.

 

[ccooke]

You don't necessarily have to stay close with Chill Touch for this; it also makes a good coup-de-gras to finish off an incapacitated troll. It *would* make the battle easier, though.

So would Acid Splash in 3rd edition. At range, even

 

[Kobold Stew]

Glad to help!