D&D 5E Non-Lethal Damage in 5E?

[Hrothgar Rannúlfr]

Am I correct that there isn't any such thing as non-lethal damage in 5E?

 

[Cernor]

Not in the sense of previous editions where the monster would have a separate pool of "lethal" and "non-lethal" hit points (iirc that's how it works in PF, I only played it twice)... But on PHB pg. 198 it says "When an attacker reduces a creature to 0 hit points with a melee attack, the attacker can knock the creature out. The attacker can make this choice the instant damage is dealt", so you deal damage as normal until the decisive hit, where you choose if you want to knock the creature out or kill it.

 

[Sunseeker]

Unlike earlier editions, all damage is lethal, but you may choose to "not kill" a creature with what would otherwise be a killing blow. I do require my players to declare that they are doing so before attacking and not after finding out their attack reduced the creature to 0.

It's also worth noting that you can apply the death and dying rules for PCs to NPCs fairly easily.

 

[The Human Target]

Its actually the same rule as in 4th edition.

 

[Hrothgar Rannúlfr]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Much appreciated.

I don't have any experience with 4E, Human Target. Never played it.

I agree that the death and dying rules for PCs can apply quite easily to NPCs, Shidaku.

And, yes, Cernor... That's how PF works and the source of the question. I was looking at possibly converting the Undead Bloodline for the Sorcerer from Pathfinder to a Sorcerous Origin for 5E when I noticed that the PF version had resistance to non-lethal damage. Not sure how or if that can be translated to 5E?

 

[jodyjohnson]

At our table most damage is non-lethal until the blow that reduces a target to 0. That last hit point of damage is usually lethal (unless the attacker decides otherwise with a melee attack).

Since recovery can be as fast as an hour of rest, mostly non-lethal makes more sense for us.

 

[Hrothgar Rannúlfr]

I agree, Jody. That makes quite a bit of sense.

 

[swordnut]

you could apply resistance to bludgeoning damage, which most non-lethal would fall into?

I tend to look at non-lethal damage on a case-by-case basis. Depending on the desired outcome and the action proposed, it might come down to a skill check or saving throw, or just plain attrition like with normal HP. The thing about non-lethal damage is, its still damage, so the players shouldnt ever get away with the easy choice of just saying its non-lethal. There should always be a risk of going too far and killing, or holding back too much and not acheiving your goal.

 

[Riley37]

I also houserule, declare the intent before the attack roll. I'm considering requiring a -1 penalty to the attack roll, because carefully avoiding results such as decapitation, might also involve giving up a few favorable lines of attack.

Also, no promises. If the PC rolls a fumble, for example, they might accidentally kill the target. Or if they used a rapier on a critter vulnerable to piercing damage. Or if the critter had unusual anatomy and kept its vital organs right where the PC hit it. Or whatever.

 

[The Crimson Binome]

you could apply resistance to bludgeoning damage, which most non-lethal would fall into?

That's what I would say, as well, if this was not for the undead bloodline. I mean, historically, corporeal undead are weak to bludgeoning damage.