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: In stead of a failed Fortitude save againts massive damage resulting in instant death, a failed save results in a character being reduced to &minus;1 hit point. The character becomes dying and unconscious, but can still become stable or be helped by his friends, just like any other character who is reduced to &minus;1 hp.

Near-Death Result: Alternatively, in stead of a failed Fortitude save againts 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 and 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.