Heal skill during combat [Archive] - Wizards Community

Heal skill during combat [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Subadai
04-09-07, 03:21 PM Apologies if this has been covered recently, I searched but didn't find anything related.

Using the Heal skill during combat to stabilize a dying friendly, I assume this is a standard action, which should provoke attacks of opportunity, but what happens if you're hit? I would guess that your Heal check would automatically fail, but couldn't find confirmation in the PHB or DM's Guide. What about a Concentration check to avoid failing?

Also, has anyone had a player try to treat poison (from a bite) on another character that's currently engaged in combat? I'm tempted to disallow it entirely, but maybe it could work if the DC is increased substantially and the person being treated loses Dex bonus to AC (has to stand still)... still doesn't seem quite right, though.

Any clarification on these issues in the RAW, or what house rules do you use in these cases? Thanks.
SALDAR
04-09-07, 09:34 PM As for the first part, I have seen nothing in the rules where you automatically fail a skill check when hit unless the skill description says you fail or have a chance to fail when taking damage, you simply get hit while performing the skill. Heal does not specify automatic failure when you take damage.

As for the second part, from the SRD:
"Favorable and Unfavorable Conditions
Some situations may make a skill easier or harder to use, resulting in a bonus or penalty to the skill modifier for a skill check or a change to the DC of the skill check.
The chance of success can be altered in four ways to take into account exceptional circumstances.
1. Give the skill user a +2 circumstance bonus to represent conditions that improve performance, such as having the perfect tool for the job, getting help from another character (see Combining Skill Attempts), or possessing unusually accurate information.
2. Give the skill user a –2 circumstance penalty to represent conditions that hamper performance, such as being forced to use improvised tools or having misleading information.
3. Reduce the DC by 2 to represent circumstances that make the task easier, such as having a friendly audience or doing work that can be subpar.
4. Increase the DC by 2 to represent circumstances that make the task harder, such as having an uncooperative audience or doing work that must be flawless.
Conditions that affect your character’s ability to perform the skill change the skill modifier. Conditions that modify how well the character has to perform the skill to succeed change the DC. A bonus to the skill modifier and a reduction in the check’s DC have the same result: They create a better chance of success. But they represent different circumstances, and sometimes that difference is important."

I would say it is an unfavorable condition attempting to treat a character for poison while they are in the middle of combat.
Nom
04-09-07, 11:21 PM If you are struck while using a skill that provokes AoOs, then you must make a concentration check or auto-fail the skill roll (see Concentration, PH chapter 4). This includes heal. You can heal defensively to avoid the AoO, but if you fail a DC 15 concentration check then you auto-fail the heal (but don't provoke an AoO).

Climb has its own specific rules on taking damage (another climb check vs standard DC). Making a climb skill check does not inherently provoke an AoO (though the movement involved might), so "Climbing defensively" won't help.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Subadai 04-09-07, 03:21 PM	Apologies if this has been covered recently, I searched but didn't find anything related. Using the Heal skill during combat to stabilize a dying friendly, I assume this is a standard action, which should provoke attacks of opportunity, but what happens if you're hit? I would guess that your Heal check would automatically fail, but couldn't find confirmation in the PHB or DM's Guide. What about a Concentration check to avoid failing? Also, has anyone had a player try to treat poison (from a bite) on another character that's currently engaged in combat? I'm tempted to disallow it entirely, but maybe it could work if the DC is increased substantially and the person being treated loses Dex bonus to AC (has to stand still)... still doesn't seem quite right, though. Any clarification on these issues in the RAW, or what house rules do you use in these cases? Thanks.
SALDAR 04-09-07, 09:34 PM	As for the first part, I have seen nothing in the rules where you automatically fail a skill check when hit unless the skill description says you fail or have a chance to fail when taking damage, you simply get hit while performing the skill. Heal does not specify automatic failure when you take damage. As for the second part, from the SRD: "Favorable and Unfavorable Conditions Some situations may make a skill easier or harder to use, resulting in a bonus or penalty to the skill modifier for a skill check or a change to the DC of the skill check. The chance of success can be altered in four ways to take into account exceptional circumstances. 1. Give the skill user a +2 circumstance bonus to represent conditions that improve performance, such as having the perfect tool for the job, getting help from another character (see Combining Skill Attempts), or possessing unusually accurate information. 2. Give the skill user a –2 circumstance penalty to represent conditions that hamper performance, such as being forced to use improvised tools or having misleading information. 3. Reduce the DC by 2 to represent circumstances that make the task easier, such as having a friendly audience or doing work that can be subpar. 4. Increase the DC by 2 to represent circumstances that make the task harder, such as having an uncooperative audience or doing work that must be flawless. Conditions that affect your character’s ability to perform the skill change the skill modifier. Conditions that modify how well the character has to perform the skill to succeed change the DC. A bonus to the skill modifier and a reduction in the check’s DC have the same result: They create a better chance of success. But they represent different circumstances, and sometimes that difference is important." I would say it is an unfavorable condition attempting to treat a character for poison while they are in the middle of combat.
Nom 04-09-07, 11:21 PM	If you are struck while using a skill that provokes AoOs, then you must make a concentration check or auto-fail the skill roll (see Concentration, PH chapter 4). This includes heal. You can heal defensively to avoid the AoO, but if you fail a DC 15 concentration check then you auto-fail the heal (but don't provoke an AoO). Climb has its own specific rules on taking damage (another climb check vs standard DC). Making a climb skill check does not inherently provoke an AoO (though the movement involved might), so "Climbing defensively" won't help.