What Happens When You Hit 0 HP in Pathfinder 2E?
When you’re playing a game of Pathfinder 2E, it’s only natural to wonder what happens when your character’s Health Point (HP) gauge falls to zero. In this article, we’ll break down the rules and explore the consequences of hitting 0 HP in Pathfinder 2E.
Consequences of Hitting 0 HP
According to the official Pathfinder 2E rules, when a character’s HP falls to 0, they’re knocked out and must start a new turn before gaining consciousness again. This gives the character a chance to recover and continue fighting in the next round.
| Consequence | Effect |
|---|---|
| Knocked Out | Character is unconscious for the rest of the current turn |
| Moved to Next Turn | Character gains consciousness at the start of their next turn |
Recovery Process
When a character is knocked out, they can begin the recovery process by starting a new turn. There are two ways to regain consciousness:
- Starting a New Turn: Character gains consciousness at the start of their next turn and can continue fighting.
- Recovery Check: Character can attempt a Fortitude save to recover earlier. If successful, the character regains consciousness earlier.
Recovery Checks
When a character’s HP falls to 0, they can attempt to recover earlier by making a Fortitude save. If successful, the character can regain consciousness and continue fighting.
| Recovery Check | Mechanics |
|---|---|
| Fortitude Save | DC 15 + Injury Threshold (IT) score |
| Success: | Character regains consciousness and can continue fighting in the current turn |
Injury Threshold (IT) Score
The IT score is a measure of a character’s physical injury and is used to calculate the DC for recovery checks. The IT score starts at 0 and increases as the character takes additional damage.
| Injury Threshold (IT) | DC for Recovery Check |
|---|---|
| 0 | 15 |
| 1-4 | 18 |
| 5-8 | 20 |
| 9+ | 25 |
Other Consequences
In addition to knocking out a character, there are other consequences to hitting 0 HP:
| Consequence | Effect |
|---|---|
| Unconsciousness: | Character is unable to take actions or move in the current turn |
| Vulnerability to Death: | Character’s resistance to death is reduced |
| Increased Damage from Death: | Character’s damage from death is increased |
Conclusion
When a character’s HP falls to 0 in Pathfinder 2E, they’re knocked out and can begin the recovery process starting a new turn. A successful recovery check can result in the character regaining consciousness earlier, while failed recovery checks can lead to further consequences. Understanding these rules can help you as a player or GM enhance your gameplay experience and plan accordingly.
Additional References:
- Pathfinder 2E Core Rulebook: Pages 300-301
- Pathfinder 2E Bestiary: Page 315
- Pathfinder 2E Advanced Player’s Guide: Page 124