What should the rarity rating be for this homebrew Healing Brick?











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I read about this item on reddit (with a different name) a while ago and planned to implement this in my campaign, but I'm unsure what its rarity should be.




Healing Brick



As an action, make either melee or ranged attack roll against target. It is treated as improvised weapon (1d4+STR dmg) with 20/60 range. On a hit, target is healed by 2d4+2 HP, then takes the damage from the attack. On a hit or a miss, the brick loses its magic.




The main thing I'm concerned about is being able to wake knocked out allies from afar, without exposing the user to danger.



Should this item be common like a Healing Potion? Or it should have a higher rarity?










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  • 1




    While the power level of the item would tend to indicate that it should be common, you might want to come up with an explanation for why anybody bothers to actually manufacture a "healing" item that can easily cause more damage than it repairs. In previous editions where healing spells damaged undead there would have been a good use for it as a disguised vampire detector (similar to inquisitor's gauntlets) but in 5e it's hard to see how it would be useful enough to justify the manufacturing expense...
    – Perkins
    Nov 30 at 0:22






  • 1




    OMG, That is Ignatz Mouse's weapon! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krazy_Kat
    – Lexible
    Nov 30 at 6:34















up vote
10
down vote

favorite
1












I read about this item on reddit (with a different name) a while ago and planned to implement this in my campaign, but I'm unsure what its rarity should be.




Healing Brick



As an action, make either melee or ranged attack roll against target. It is treated as improvised weapon (1d4+STR dmg) with 20/60 range. On a hit, target is healed by 2d4+2 HP, then takes the damage from the attack. On a hit or a miss, the brick loses its magic.




The main thing I'm concerned about is being able to wake knocked out allies from afar, without exposing the user to danger.



Should this item be common like a Healing Potion? Or it should have a higher rarity?










share|improve this question




















  • 1




    While the power level of the item would tend to indicate that it should be common, you might want to come up with an explanation for why anybody bothers to actually manufacture a "healing" item that can easily cause more damage than it repairs. In previous editions where healing spells damaged undead there would have been a good use for it as a disguised vampire detector (similar to inquisitor's gauntlets) but in 5e it's hard to see how it would be useful enough to justify the manufacturing expense...
    – Perkins
    Nov 30 at 0:22






  • 1




    OMG, That is Ignatz Mouse's weapon! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krazy_Kat
    – Lexible
    Nov 30 at 6:34













up vote
10
down vote

favorite
1









up vote
10
down vote

favorite
1






1





I read about this item on reddit (with a different name) a while ago and planned to implement this in my campaign, but I'm unsure what its rarity should be.




Healing Brick



As an action, make either melee or ranged attack roll against target. It is treated as improvised weapon (1d4+STR dmg) with 20/60 range. On a hit, target is healed by 2d4+2 HP, then takes the damage from the attack. On a hit or a miss, the brick loses its magic.




The main thing I'm concerned about is being able to wake knocked out allies from afar, without exposing the user to danger.



Should this item be common like a Healing Potion? Or it should have a higher rarity?










share|improve this question















I read about this item on reddit (with a different name) a while ago and planned to implement this in my campaign, but I'm unsure what its rarity should be.




Healing Brick



As an action, make either melee or ranged attack roll against target. It is treated as improvised weapon (1d4+STR dmg) with 20/60 range. On a hit, target is healed by 2d4+2 HP, then takes the damage from the attack. On a hit or a miss, the brick loses its magic.




The main thing I'm concerned about is being able to wake knocked out allies from afar, without exposing the user to danger.



Should this item be common like a Healing Potion? Or it should have a higher rarity?







dnd-5e magic-items homebrew






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edited Nov 30 at 1:15

























asked Nov 29 at 15:36









Vylix

9,003234115




9,003234115








  • 1




    While the power level of the item would tend to indicate that it should be common, you might want to come up with an explanation for why anybody bothers to actually manufacture a "healing" item that can easily cause more damage than it repairs. In previous editions where healing spells damaged undead there would have been a good use for it as a disguised vampire detector (similar to inquisitor's gauntlets) but in 5e it's hard to see how it would be useful enough to justify the manufacturing expense...
    – Perkins
    Nov 30 at 0:22






  • 1




    OMG, That is Ignatz Mouse's weapon! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krazy_Kat
    – Lexible
    Nov 30 at 6:34














  • 1




    While the power level of the item would tend to indicate that it should be common, you might want to come up with an explanation for why anybody bothers to actually manufacture a "healing" item that can easily cause more damage than it repairs. In previous editions where healing spells damaged undead there would have been a good use for it as a disguised vampire detector (similar to inquisitor's gauntlets) but in 5e it's hard to see how it would be useful enough to justify the manufacturing expense...
    – Perkins
    Nov 30 at 0:22






  • 1




    OMG, That is Ignatz Mouse's weapon! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krazy_Kat
    – Lexible
    Nov 30 at 6:34








1




1




While the power level of the item would tend to indicate that it should be common, you might want to come up with an explanation for why anybody bothers to actually manufacture a "healing" item that can easily cause more damage than it repairs. In previous editions where healing spells damaged undead there would have been a good use for it as a disguised vampire detector (similar to inquisitor's gauntlets) but in 5e it's hard to see how it would be useful enough to justify the manufacturing expense...
– Perkins
Nov 30 at 0:22




While the power level of the item would tend to indicate that it should be common, you might want to come up with an explanation for why anybody bothers to actually manufacture a "healing" item that can easily cause more damage than it repairs. In previous editions where healing spells damaged undead there would have been a good use for it as a disguised vampire detector (similar to inquisitor's gauntlets) but in 5e it's hard to see how it would be useful enough to justify the manufacturing expense...
– Perkins
Nov 30 at 0:22




1




1




OMG, That is Ignatz Mouse's weapon! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krazy_Kat
– Lexible
Nov 30 at 6:34




OMG, That is Ignatz Mouse's weapon! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krazy_Kat
– Lexible
Nov 30 at 6:34










4 Answers
4






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up vote
21
down vote













Common is probably the appropriate Rarity for this item



This object has one advantage over a Potion of Healing, and two Disadvantages over a Potion of Healing. The advantage is that it can be used at range—20 feet with a normal attack roll, 60 feet with a disadvantaged attack roll. The disadvantage, as implied by my previous sentence, is that the brick has a chance of failure proportional to how strong your ally's armor is—and this chance does not diminish just because you're in melee/Potion range. And even if the hit successfully lands, there's a non-trivial chance that the damage from the brick being an Improvised Weapon will result in the character taking more damage than what they were healed for.



So if you're in a situation where you need to desperately ensure an ally doesn't die after taking a blow that put them unconscious, this item is going to be a risk even in melee range. In terms of power level (or rarity), it shouldn't be above a Potion of Healing, and maybe arguably is behind it.






share|improve this answer



















  • 2




    Good point that the item will be less effective against high AC characters (who are usually the ones who are the most in need of ranged healing, placing themselves in the thick of it).
    – Gandalfmeansme
    Nov 29 at 15:54






  • 4




    High AC is a problem, but if the ally is still conscious and willing to get hit the attack should probably have advantage due to that.
    – Cubic
    Nov 29 at 16:36






  • 1




    Another disadvantage over a potion of healing is that with any strength modifier will occasionally do more damage than it heals.
    – Myles
    Nov 29 at 18:52






  • 6




    Taking damage also requires a concentration check for characters concentrating on a spell when they get hit by a brick!
    – Peter Cordes
    Nov 29 at 21:01






  • 2




    str 8 FTW! ...if you can actually land a hit with the thing. Improvised weapon isn't exactly your friend there.
    – Ben Barden
    Nov 29 at 21:14


















up vote
11
down vote













Common.



This item heals the same amount as a Healing Potion, another common consumable.




  • It can be used at range

  • It can also miss (especially with high AC allies)

  • Plus, the range is only 20 feet or disadvantage.

  • If you use this on an unconscious ally, the target will be prone and you will have disadvantage unless you're in melee range

  • If you use this on an unconscious ally, you have advantage if you're in melee range


In fact, since the brick also does damage (as I've realized from the OP's comments), a melee attack heals on average 2HP on an unconscious ally, and might leave him unconscious again as it crits for 2d4+STR damage. To be honest, I think the item doing damage as well as healing seems to make it useless. I would just leave it with the healing part. Doing damage, it feels like it's only worth it to use if you're a DEX character with multiple attacks, and even then only if there is someone nearby with an actual Healing Potion ready, if you happen to miss.



If you main concern is




being able to wake knocked out allies from afar, without exposing the user to danger.




then it shouldn't be a concern. When you use this brick, it is in fact the unconscious PCs that should be concerned with being exposed to danger. Your mobs now have less PCs to worry about and, if the conscious PCs are hiding behind pillars to heal their comrades without exposing themselves to danger, your mobs have the advantage anyway.






share|improve this answer



















  • 3




    Wait. Melee attack against a KO'ed ally automatically crit on hit... this item is not as useful as I've thought.
    – Vylix
    Nov 29 at 15:50










  • @Vylix True. But if you're in melee range, you'd probably use a potion instead, right? But I agree with BlueMoon93: the damage element here makes it likely that this brick ends up doing as much harm as good.
    – Gandalfmeansme
    Nov 29 at 15:57






  • 1




    This is necessary "To be honest, I think the item doing damage as well as healing seems to make it useless. I would just leave it with the healing part." the loss of HP on this item makes it near worthless. You can't risk killing an unconscious friend in combat as your action.
    – Vethor
    Nov 29 at 20:30


















up vote
7
down vote













It should probably be common



The ability to heal at range is no minor thing. It can seriously alter your tactics in battle, and turn the tide in your favor. That being said, the effect you are attempting to create is similar to a 1st level spell: Healing Word.




Healing Word: A creature of your choice that you can see within range [60 feet] regains hit points equal to 1d4 + your spellcasting ability modifier. (PHB, p. 250)




The Dungeon Masters Guide suggests that a single use item that permits you to cast a first level spell (such as a Spell Scroll of Healing Word [DMG, p. 200]) should have a rarity of common.



Now, there are some differences between your proposed item and a Spell Scroll of healing word. For one thing, martial classes would be able to use this brick, and it could be used without the possibility of being undone via a Counterspell. But these benefits are effectively countered by its disadvantages (you won't use your proficiency bonus to attack with it, and most unconscious targets are prone, giving you disadvantage on ranged attacks against them, which means you won't gain full advantage granted by the unconscious condition). As such, I believe this item is well balanced by a common rarity.






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    up vote
    0
    down vote













    Other things to think about



    I agree with the consensus that this should be a common magic item. Other things to consider:




    1. When you use the brick on an ally, you should aim to knock them out (PHB page 198). This at least stabilises them so they can't fail death saving throws.

    2. As others have said, this is a pretty weak item, so it might be worth changing the last sentence so that the brick only loses its magic on a hit.

    3. The rules aren't clear on whether to use your Strength or Dexterity modifier when throwing an improvised weapon that is unlike an actual weapon, but I think it's safe to assume that you should use Strength. (The rules are clear about thrown weapons, and improvised weapons that are similar to actual weapons.)

    4. Are there any other rules for pulling your punches, so that you can hit an ally but limit the damage you do to them? I might houserule that a PC can reduce the damage they do by one point for each point by which they exceed their attack roll exceeds the target's AC.






    share|improve this answer





















    • On your last point, the only "pulling your punches" option defined in the rules is that if you knock someone down to 0 HP, you can choose for them to be unconscious but stable rather than dead/dying.
      – Mark Wells
      2 days ago











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    4 Answers
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    up vote
    21
    down vote













    Common is probably the appropriate Rarity for this item



    This object has one advantage over a Potion of Healing, and two Disadvantages over a Potion of Healing. The advantage is that it can be used at range—20 feet with a normal attack roll, 60 feet with a disadvantaged attack roll. The disadvantage, as implied by my previous sentence, is that the brick has a chance of failure proportional to how strong your ally's armor is—and this chance does not diminish just because you're in melee/Potion range. And even if the hit successfully lands, there's a non-trivial chance that the damage from the brick being an Improvised Weapon will result in the character taking more damage than what they were healed for.



    So if you're in a situation where you need to desperately ensure an ally doesn't die after taking a blow that put them unconscious, this item is going to be a risk even in melee range. In terms of power level (or rarity), it shouldn't be above a Potion of Healing, and maybe arguably is behind it.






    share|improve this answer



















    • 2




      Good point that the item will be less effective against high AC characters (who are usually the ones who are the most in need of ranged healing, placing themselves in the thick of it).
      – Gandalfmeansme
      Nov 29 at 15:54






    • 4




      High AC is a problem, but if the ally is still conscious and willing to get hit the attack should probably have advantage due to that.
      – Cubic
      Nov 29 at 16:36






    • 1




      Another disadvantage over a potion of healing is that with any strength modifier will occasionally do more damage than it heals.
      – Myles
      Nov 29 at 18:52






    • 6




      Taking damage also requires a concentration check for characters concentrating on a spell when they get hit by a brick!
      – Peter Cordes
      Nov 29 at 21:01






    • 2




      str 8 FTW! ...if you can actually land a hit with the thing. Improvised weapon isn't exactly your friend there.
      – Ben Barden
      Nov 29 at 21:14















    up vote
    21
    down vote













    Common is probably the appropriate Rarity for this item



    This object has one advantage over a Potion of Healing, and two Disadvantages over a Potion of Healing. The advantage is that it can be used at range—20 feet with a normal attack roll, 60 feet with a disadvantaged attack roll. The disadvantage, as implied by my previous sentence, is that the brick has a chance of failure proportional to how strong your ally's armor is—and this chance does not diminish just because you're in melee/Potion range. And even if the hit successfully lands, there's a non-trivial chance that the damage from the brick being an Improvised Weapon will result in the character taking more damage than what they were healed for.



    So if you're in a situation where you need to desperately ensure an ally doesn't die after taking a blow that put them unconscious, this item is going to be a risk even in melee range. In terms of power level (or rarity), it shouldn't be above a Potion of Healing, and maybe arguably is behind it.






    share|improve this answer



















    • 2




      Good point that the item will be less effective against high AC characters (who are usually the ones who are the most in need of ranged healing, placing themselves in the thick of it).
      – Gandalfmeansme
      Nov 29 at 15:54






    • 4




      High AC is a problem, but if the ally is still conscious and willing to get hit the attack should probably have advantage due to that.
      – Cubic
      Nov 29 at 16:36






    • 1




      Another disadvantage over a potion of healing is that with any strength modifier will occasionally do more damage than it heals.
      – Myles
      Nov 29 at 18:52






    • 6




      Taking damage also requires a concentration check for characters concentrating on a spell when they get hit by a brick!
      – Peter Cordes
      Nov 29 at 21:01






    • 2




      str 8 FTW! ...if you can actually land a hit with the thing. Improvised weapon isn't exactly your friend there.
      – Ben Barden
      Nov 29 at 21:14













    up vote
    21
    down vote










    up vote
    21
    down vote









    Common is probably the appropriate Rarity for this item



    This object has one advantage over a Potion of Healing, and two Disadvantages over a Potion of Healing. The advantage is that it can be used at range—20 feet with a normal attack roll, 60 feet with a disadvantaged attack roll. The disadvantage, as implied by my previous sentence, is that the brick has a chance of failure proportional to how strong your ally's armor is—and this chance does not diminish just because you're in melee/Potion range. And even if the hit successfully lands, there's a non-trivial chance that the damage from the brick being an Improvised Weapon will result in the character taking more damage than what they were healed for.



    So if you're in a situation where you need to desperately ensure an ally doesn't die after taking a blow that put them unconscious, this item is going to be a risk even in melee range. In terms of power level (or rarity), it shouldn't be above a Potion of Healing, and maybe arguably is behind it.






    share|improve this answer














    Common is probably the appropriate Rarity for this item



    This object has one advantage over a Potion of Healing, and two Disadvantages over a Potion of Healing. The advantage is that it can be used at range—20 feet with a normal attack roll, 60 feet with a disadvantaged attack roll. The disadvantage, as implied by my previous sentence, is that the brick has a chance of failure proportional to how strong your ally's armor is—and this chance does not diminish just because you're in melee/Potion range. And even if the hit successfully lands, there's a non-trivial chance that the damage from the brick being an Improvised Weapon will result in the character taking more damage than what they were healed for.



    So if you're in a situation where you need to desperately ensure an ally doesn't die after taking a blow that put them unconscious, this item is going to be a risk even in melee range. In terms of power level (or rarity), it shouldn't be above a Potion of Healing, and maybe arguably is behind it.







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited Nov 29 at 20:03

























    answered Nov 29 at 15:47









    Xirema

    13.3k23882




    13.3k23882








    • 2




      Good point that the item will be less effective against high AC characters (who are usually the ones who are the most in need of ranged healing, placing themselves in the thick of it).
      – Gandalfmeansme
      Nov 29 at 15:54






    • 4




      High AC is a problem, but if the ally is still conscious and willing to get hit the attack should probably have advantage due to that.
      – Cubic
      Nov 29 at 16:36






    • 1




      Another disadvantage over a potion of healing is that with any strength modifier will occasionally do more damage than it heals.
      – Myles
      Nov 29 at 18:52






    • 6




      Taking damage also requires a concentration check for characters concentrating on a spell when they get hit by a brick!
      – Peter Cordes
      Nov 29 at 21:01






    • 2




      str 8 FTW! ...if you can actually land a hit with the thing. Improvised weapon isn't exactly your friend there.
      – Ben Barden
      Nov 29 at 21:14














    • 2




      Good point that the item will be less effective against high AC characters (who are usually the ones who are the most in need of ranged healing, placing themselves in the thick of it).
      – Gandalfmeansme
      Nov 29 at 15:54






    • 4




      High AC is a problem, but if the ally is still conscious and willing to get hit the attack should probably have advantage due to that.
      – Cubic
      Nov 29 at 16:36






    • 1




      Another disadvantage over a potion of healing is that with any strength modifier will occasionally do more damage than it heals.
      – Myles
      Nov 29 at 18:52






    • 6




      Taking damage also requires a concentration check for characters concentrating on a spell when they get hit by a brick!
      – Peter Cordes
      Nov 29 at 21:01






    • 2




      str 8 FTW! ...if you can actually land a hit with the thing. Improvised weapon isn't exactly your friend there.
      – Ben Barden
      Nov 29 at 21:14








    2




    2




    Good point that the item will be less effective against high AC characters (who are usually the ones who are the most in need of ranged healing, placing themselves in the thick of it).
    – Gandalfmeansme
    Nov 29 at 15:54




    Good point that the item will be less effective against high AC characters (who are usually the ones who are the most in need of ranged healing, placing themselves in the thick of it).
    – Gandalfmeansme
    Nov 29 at 15:54




    4




    4




    High AC is a problem, but if the ally is still conscious and willing to get hit the attack should probably have advantage due to that.
    – Cubic
    Nov 29 at 16:36




    High AC is a problem, but if the ally is still conscious and willing to get hit the attack should probably have advantage due to that.
    – Cubic
    Nov 29 at 16:36




    1




    1




    Another disadvantage over a potion of healing is that with any strength modifier will occasionally do more damage than it heals.
    – Myles
    Nov 29 at 18:52




    Another disadvantage over a potion of healing is that with any strength modifier will occasionally do more damage than it heals.
    – Myles
    Nov 29 at 18:52




    6




    6




    Taking damage also requires a concentration check for characters concentrating on a spell when they get hit by a brick!
    – Peter Cordes
    Nov 29 at 21:01




    Taking damage also requires a concentration check for characters concentrating on a spell when they get hit by a brick!
    – Peter Cordes
    Nov 29 at 21:01




    2




    2




    str 8 FTW! ...if you can actually land a hit with the thing. Improvised weapon isn't exactly your friend there.
    – Ben Barden
    Nov 29 at 21:14




    str 8 FTW! ...if you can actually land a hit with the thing. Improvised weapon isn't exactly your friend there.
    – Ben Barden
    Nov 29 at 21:14












    up vote
    11
    down vote













    Common.



    This item heals the same amount as a Healing Potion, another common consumable.




    • It can be used at range

    • It can also miss (especially with high AC allies)

    • Plus, the range is only 20 feet or disadvantage.

    • If you use this on an unconscious ally, the target will be prone and you will have disadvantage unless you're in melee range

    • If you use this on an unconscious ally, you have advantage if you're in melee range


    In fact, since the brick also does damage (as I've realized from the OP's comments), a melee attack heals on average 2HP on an unconscious ally, and might leave him unconscious again as it crits for 2d4+STR damage. To be honest, I think the item doing damage as well as healing seems to make it useless. I would just leave it with the healing part. Doing damage, it feels like it's only worth it to use if you're a DEX character with multiple attacks, and even then only if there is someone nearby with an actual Healing Potion ready, if you happen to miss.



    If you main concern is




    being able to wake knocked out allies from afar, without exposing the user to danger.




    then it shouldn't be a concern. When you use this brick, it is in fact the unconscious PCs that should be concerned with being exposed to danger. Your mobs now have less PCs to worry about and, if the conscious PCs are hiding behind pillars to heal their comrades without exposing themselves to danger, your mobs have the advantage anyway.






    share|improve this answer



















    • 3




      Wait. Melee attack against a KO'ed ally automatically crit on hit... this item is not as useful as I've thought.
      – Vylix
      Nov 29 at 15:50










    • @Vylix True. But if you're in melee range, you'd probably use a potion instead, right? But I agree with BlueMoon93: the damage element here makes it likely that this brick ends up doing as much harm as good.
      – Gandalfmeansme
      Nov 29 at 15:57






    • 1




      This is necessary "To be honest, I think the item doing damage as well as healing seems to make it useless. I would just leave it with the healing part." the loss of HP on this item makes it near worthless. You can't risk killing an unconscious friend in combat as your action.
      – Vethor
      Nov 29 at 20:30















    up vote
    11
    down vote













    Common.



    This item heals the same amount as a Healing Potion, another common consumable.




    • It can be used at range

    • It can also miss (especially with high AC allies)

    • Plus, the range is only 20 feet or disadvantage.

    • If you use this on an unconscious ally, the target will be prone and you will have disadvantage unless you're in melee range

    • If you use this on an unconscious ally, you have advantage if you're in melee range


    In fact, since the brick also does damage (as I've realized from the OP's comments), a melee attack heals on average 2HP on an unconscious ally, and might leave him unconscious again as it crits for 2d4+STR damage. To be honest, I think the item doing damage as well as healing seems to make it useless. I would just leave it with the healing part. Doing damage, it feels like it's only worth it to use if you're a DEX character with multiple attacks, and even then only if there is someone nearby with an actual Healing Potion ready, if you happen to miss.



    If you main concern is




    being able to wake knocked out allies from afar, without exposing the user to danger.




    then it shouldn't be a concern. When you use this brick, it is in fact the unconscious PCs that should be concerned with being exposed to danger. Your mobs now have less PCs to worry about and, if the conscious PCs are hiding behind pillars to heal their comrades without exposing themselves to danger, your mobs have the advantage anyway.






    share|improve this answer



















    • 3




      Wait. Melee attack against a KO'ed ally automatically crit on hit... this item is not as useful as I've thought.
      – Vylix
      Nov 29 at 15:50










    • @Vylix True. But if you're in melee range, you'd probably use a potion instead, right? But I agree with BlueMoon93: the damage element here makes it likely that this brick ends up doing as much harm as good.
      – Gandalfmeansme
      Nov 29 at 15:57






    • 1




      This is necessary "To be honest, I think the item doing damage as well as healing seems to make it useless. I would just leave it with the healing part." the loss of HP on this item makes it near worthless. You can't risk killing an unconscious friend in combat as your action.
      – Vethor
      Nov 29 at 20:30













    up vote
    11
    down vote










    up vote
    11
    down vote









    Common.



    This item heals the same amount as a Healing Potion, another common consumable.




    • It can be used at range

    • It can also miss (especially with high AC allies)

    • Plus, the range is only 20 feet or disadvantage.

    • If you use this on an unconscious ally, the target will be prone and you will have disadvantage unless you're in melee range

    • If you use this on an unconscious ally, you have advantage if you're in melee range


    In fact, since the brick also does damage (as I've realized from the OP's comments), a melee attack heals on average 2HP on an unconscious ally, and might leave him unconscious again as it crits for 2d4+STR damage. To be honest, I think the item doing damage as well as healing seems to make it useless. I would just leave it with the healing part. Doing damage, it feels like it's only worth it to use if you're a DEX character with multiple attacks, and even then only if there is someone nearby with an actual Healing Potion ready, if you happen to miss.



    If you main concern is




    being able to wake knocked out allies from afar, without exposing the user to danger.




    then it shouldn't be a concern. When you use this brick, it is in fact the unconscious PCs that should be concerned with being exposed to danger. Your mobs now have less PCs to worry about and, if the conscious PCs are hiding behind pillars to heal their comrades without exposing themselves to danger, your mobs have the advantage anyway.






    share|improve this answer














    Common.



    This item heals the same amount as a Healing Potion, another common consumable.




    • It can be used at range

    • It can also miss (especially with high AC allies)

    • Plus, the range is only 20 feet or disadvantage.

    • If you use this on an unconscious ally, the target will be prone and you will have disadvantage unless you're in melee range

    • If you use this on an unconscious ally, you have advantage if you're in melee range


    In fact, since the brick also does damage (as I've realized from the OP's comments), a melee attack heals on average 2HP on an unconscious ally, and might leave him unconscious again as it crits for 2d4+STR damage. To be honest, I think the item doing damage as well as healing seems to make it useless. I would just leave it with the healing part. Doing damage, it feels like it's only worth it to use if you're a DEX character with multiple attacks, and even then only if there is someone nearby with an actual Healing Potion ready, if you happen to miss.



    If you main concern is




    being able to wake knocked out allies from afar, without exposing the user to danger.




    then it shouldn't be a concern. When you use this brick, it is in fact the unconscious PCs that should be concerned with being exposed to danger. Your mobs now have less PCs to worry about and, if the conscious PCs are hiding behind pillars to heal their comrades without exposing themselves to danger, your mobs have the advantage anyway.







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited Nov 29 at 16:05

























    answered Nov 29 at 15:47









    BlueMoon93

    11.7k963126




    11.7k963126








    • 3




      Wait. Melee attack against a KO'ed ally automatically crit on hit... this item is not as useful as I've thought.
      – Vylix
      Nov 29 at 15:50










    • @Vylix True. But if you're in melee range, you'd probably use a potion instead, right? But I agree with BlueMoon93: the damage element here makes it likely that this brick ends up doing as much harm as good.
      – Gandalfmeansme
      Nov 29 at 15:57






    • 1




      This is necessary "To be honest, I think the item doing damage as well as healing seems to make it useless. I would just leave it with the healing part." the loss of HP on this item makes it near worthless. You can't risk killing an unconscious friend in combat as your action.
      – Vethor
      Nov 29 at 20:30














    • 3




      Wait. Melee attack against a KO'ed ally automatically crit on hit... this item is not as useful as I've thought.
      – Vylix
      Nov 29 at 15:50










    • @Vylix True. But if you're in melee range, you'd probably use a potion instead, right? But I agree with BlueMoon93: the damage element here makes it likely that this brick ends up doing as much harm as good.
      – Gandalfmeansme
      Nov 29 at 15:57






    • 1




      This is necessary "To be honest, I think the item doing damage as well as healing seems to make it useless. I would just leave it with the healing part." the loss of HP on this item makes it near worthless. You can't risk killing an unconscious friend in combat as your action.
      – Vethor
      Nov 29 at 20:30








    3




    3




    Wait. Melee attack against a KO'ed ally automatically crit on hit... this item is not as useful as I've thought.
    – Vylix
    Nov 29 at 15:50




    Wait. Melee attack against a KO'ed ally automatically crit on hit... this item is not as useful as I've thought.
    – Vylix
    Nov 29 at 15:50












    @Vylix True. But if you're in melee range, you'd probably use a potion instead, right? But I agree with BlueMoon93: the damage element here makes it likely that this brick ends up doing as much harm as good.
    – Gandalfmeansme
    Nov 29 at 15:57




    @Vylix True. But if you're in melee range, you'd probably use a potion instead, right? But I agree with BlueMoon93: the damage element here makes it likely that this brick ends up doing as much harm as good.
    – Gandalfmeansme
    Nov 29 at 15:57




    1




    1




    This is necessary "To be honest, I think the item doing damage as well as healing seems to make it useless. I would just leave it with the healing part." the loss of HP on this item makes it near worthless. You can't risk killing an unconscious friend in combat as your action.
    – Vethor
    Nov 29 at 20:30




    This is necessary "To be honest, I think the item doing damage as well as healing seems to make it useless. I would just leave it with the healing part." the loss of HP on this item makes it near worthless. You can't risk killing an unconscious friend in combat as your action.
    – Vethor
    Nov 29 at 20:30










    up vote
    7
    down vote













    It should probably be common



    The ability to heal at range is no minor thing. It can seriously alter your tactics in battle, and turn the tide in your favor. That being said, the effect you are attempting to create is similar to a 1st level spell: Healing Word.




    Healing Word: A creature of your choice that you can see within range [60 feet] regains hit points equal to 1d4 + your spellcasting ability modifier. (PHB, p. 250)




    The Dungeon Masters Guide suggests that a single use item that permits you to cast a first level spell (such as a Spell Scroll of Healing Word [DMG, p. 200]) should have a rarity of common.



    Now, there are some differences between your proposed item and a Spell Scroll of healing word. For one thing, martial classes would be able to use this brick, and it could be used without the possibility of being undone via a Counterspell. But these benefits are effectively countered by its disadvantages (you won't use your proficiency bonus to attack with it, and most unconscious targets are prone, giving you disadvantage on ranged attacks against them, which means you won't gain full advantage granted by the unconscious condition). As such, I believe this item is well balanced by a common rarity.






    share|improve this answer



























      up vote
      7
      down vote













      It should probably be common



      The ability to heal at range is no minor thing. It can seriously alter your tactics in battle, and turn the tide in your favor. That being said, the effect you are attempting to create is similar to a 1st level spell: Healing Word.




      Healing Word: A creature of your choice that you can see within range [60 feet] regains hit points equal to 1d4 + your spellcasting ability modifier. (PHB, p. 250)




      The Dungeon Masters Guide suggests that a single use item that permits you to cast a first level spell (such as a Spell Scroll of Healing Word [DMG, p. 200]) should have a rarity of common.



      Now, there are some differences between your proposed item and a Spell Scroll of healing word. For one thing, martial classes would be able to use this brick, and it could be used without the possibility of being undone via a Counterspell. But these benefits are effectively countered by its disadvantages (you won't use your proficiency bonus to attack with it, and most unconscious targets are prone, giving you disadvantage on ranged attacks against them, which means you won't gain full advantage granted by the unconscious condition). As such, I believe this item is well balanced by a common rarity.






      share|improve this answer

























        up vote
        7
        down vote










        up vote
        7
        down vote









        It should probably be common



        The ability to heal at range is no minor thing. It can seriously alter your tactics in battle, and turn the tide in your favor. That being said, the effect you are attempting to create is similar to a 1st level spell: Healing Word.




        Healing Word: A creature of your choice that you can see within range [60 feet] regains hit points equal to 1d4 + your spellcasting ability modifier. (PHB, p. 250)




        The Dungeon Masters Guide suggests that a single use item that permits you to cast a first level spell (such as a Spell Scroll of Healing Word [DMG, p. 200]) should have a rarity of common.



        Now, there are some differences between your proposed item and a Spell Scroll of healing word. For one thing, martial classes would be able to use this brick, and it could be used without the possibility of being undone via a Counterspell. But these benefits are effectively countered by its disadvantages (you won't use your proficiency bonus to attack with it, and most unconscious targets are prone, giving you disadvantage on ranged attacks against them, which means you won't gain full advantage granted by the unconscious condition). As such, I believe this item is well balanced by a common rarity.






        share|improve this answer














        It should probably be common



        The ability to heal at range is no minor thing. It can seriously alter your tactics in battle, and turn the tide in your favor. That being said, the effect you are attempting to create is similar to a 1st level spell: Healing Word.




        Healing Word: A creature of your choice that you can see within range [60 feet] regains hit points equal to 1d4 + your spellcasting ability modifier. (PHB, p. 250)




        The Dungeon Masters Guide suggests that a single use item that permits you to cast a first level spell (such as a Spell Scroll of Healing Word [DMG, p. 200]) should have a rarity of common.



        Now, there are some differences between your proposed item and a Spell Scroll of healing word. For one thing, martial classes would be able to use this brick, and it could be used without the possibility of being undone via a Counterspell. But these benefits are effectively countered by its disadvantages (you won't use your proficiency bonus to attack with it, and most unconscious targets are prone, giving you disadvantage on ranged attacks against them, which means you won't gain full advantage granted by the unconscious condition). As such, I believe this item is well balanced by a common rarity.







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited Nov 29 at 15:51

























        answered Nov 29 at 15:45









        Gandalfmeansme

        17.1k364108




        17.1k364108






















            up vote
            0
            down vote













            Other things to think about



            I agree with the consensus that this should be a common magic item. Other things to consider:




            1. When you use the brick on an ally, you should aim to knock them out (PHB page 198). This at least stabilises them so they can't fail death saving throws.

            2. As others have said, this is a pretty weak item, so it might be worth changing the last sentence so that the brick only loses its magic on a hit.

            3. The rules aren't clear on whether to use your Strength or Dexterity modifier when throwing an improvised weapon that is unlike an actual weapon, but I think it's safe to assume that you should use Strength. (The rules are clear about thrown weapons, and improvised weapons that are similar to actual weapons.)

            4. Are there any other rules for pulling your punches, so that you can hit an ally but limit the damage you do to them? I might houserule that a PC can reduce the damage they do by one point for each point by which they exceed their attack roll exceeds the target's AC.






            share|improve this answer





















            • On your last point, the only "pulling your punches" option defined in the rules is that if you knock someone down to 0 HP, you can choose for them to be unconscious but stable rather than dead/dying.
              – Mark Wells
              2 days ago















            up vote
            0
            down vote













            Other things to think about



            I agree with the consensus that this should be a common magic item. Other things to consider:




            1. When you use the brick on an ally, you should aim to knock them out (PHB page 198). This at least stabilises them so they can't fail death saving throws.

            2. As others have said, this is a pretty weak item, so it might be worth changing the last sentence so that the brick only loses its magic on a hit.

            3. The rules aren't clear on whether to use your Strength or Dexterity modifier when throwing an improvised weapon that is unlike an actual weapon, but I think it's safe to assume that you should use Strength. (The rules are clear about thrown weapons, and improvised weapons that are similar to actual weapons.)

            4. Are there any other rules for pulling your punches, so that you can hit an ally but limit the damage you do to them? I might houserule that a PC can reduce the damage they do by one point for each point by which they exceed their attack roll exceeds the target's AC.






            share|improve this answer





















            • On your last point, the only "pulling your punches" option defined in the rules is that if you knock someone down to 0 HP, you can choose for them to be unconscious but stable rather than dead/dying.
              – Mark Wells
              2 days ago













            up vote
            0
            down vote










            up vote
            0
            down vote









            Other things to think about



            I agree with the consensus that this should be a common magic item. Other things to consider:




            1. When you use the brick on an ally, you should aim to knock them out (PHB page 198). This at least stabilises them so they can't fail death saving throws.

            2. As others have said, this is a pretty weak item, so it might be worth changing the last sentence so that the brick only loses its magic on a hit.

            3. The rules aren't clear on whether to use your Strength or Dexterity modifier when throwing an improvised weapon that is unlike an actual weapon, but I think it's safe to assume that you should use Strength. (The rules are clear about thrown weapons, and improvised weapons that are similar to actual weapons.)

            4. Are there any other rules for pulling your punches, so that you can hit an ally but limit the damage you do to them? I might houserule that a PC can reduce the damage they do by one point for each point by which they exceed their attack roll exceeds the target's AC.






            share|improve this answer












            Other things to think about



            I agree with the consensus that this should be a common magic item. Other things to consider:




            1. When you use the brick on an ally, you should aim to knock them out (PHB page 198). This at least stabilises them so they can't fail death saving throws.

            2. As others have said, this is a pretty weak item, so it might be worth changing the last sentence so that the brick only loses its magic on a hit.

            3. The rules aren't clear on whether to use your Strength or Dexterity modifier when throwing an improvised weapon that is unlike an actual weapon, but I think it's safe to assume that you should use Strength. (The rules are clear about thrown weapons, and improvised weapons that are similar to actual weapons.)

            4. Are there any other rules for pulling your punches, so that you can hit an ally but limit the damage you do to them? I might houserule that a PC can reduce the damage they do by one point for each point by which they exceed their attack roll exceeds the target's AC.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 2 days ago









            Clearly Toughpick

            1,039519




            1,039519












            • On your last point, the only "pulling your punches" option defined in the rules is that if you knock someone down to 0 HP, you can choose for them to be unconscious but stable rather than dead/dying.
              – Mark Wells
              2 days ago


















            • On your last point, the only "pulling your punches" option defined in the rules is that if you knock someone down to 0 HP, you can choose for them to be unconscious but stable rather than dead/dying.
              – Mark Wells
              2 days ago
















            On your last point, the only "pulling your punches" option defined in the rules is that if you knock someone down to 0 HP, you can choose for them to be unconscious but stable rather than dead/dying.
            – Mark Wells
            2 days ago




            On your last point, the only "pulling your punches" option defined in the rules is that if you knock someone down to 0 HP, you can choose for them to be unconscious but stable rather than dead/dying.
            – Mark Wells
            2 days ago


















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