Serpent Staff Question

[Welleran]

One of my players' acquired a Staff of the Serpent (Python) and finally used it in battle. His snake took heavy, but not fatal, damage.

Question: How do you deal with snake damage? Do you have them heal slowly, never heal (and treat HP like charges), or be full-up next use?

[T. Foster]

I've always tended to go with full hp every time it's used, but if I had a player I felt was abusing that I reserve the right to change my mind.

[AxeMental]

One of my players' acquired a Staff of the Serpent (Python) and finally used it in battle. His snake took heavy, but not fatal, damage.

Question: How do you deal with snake damage? Do you have them heal slowly, never heal (and treat HP like charges), or be full-up next use?

I allow CLW to effect animals and monsters, so thats another avenue. Generally I agree with Foster. I don't remember if the staff has a number of times it can be used a day. If it does then full HPs (unless its killed). If not, I'd say it would take 24 hours before healed fully (otherwise when it transforms it would be somewhat healed but not completely.

[TRP]

Full hp every time.

I've always tended to go with full hp every time it's used, but if I had a player I felt was abusing that I reserve the right to change my mind.

I'm trying to figure out how to abuse use of the staff.

[BlackBat242]

Checking the DMG, there is no time limit for how long the Python staff can be in full snake form, nor is there a limnit on how many times per day it can be used.

Additionally, it has no charges... it can be turned into a snake scores of times per day every day forever (or just left in snake form)... unless it is destroyed, in either snake form or staff form.



The Adder form (a separate staff from the python) is only used by evil clerics, and the poisonous adder head remains animated for one turn before returning to inanimate form... but again, there is no stated "recharge time", limit to "times per day", or use of any charges at all.

Theoretically that evil cleric can have his staff's head animated nearly continuously (except for one round after each turn) forever.



Tell me that can't be abused! I dare you!

[PatW]

Edited, because I've got too many versions of this game floating around and can't remember which is which...

I'd use full heal on return to staff form, and if it was getting to be a crutch for the players, it would naturally suffer from focus-fire from the monsters and that'd be the end of it.

[Welleran]

Thanks, all! This helps frame my thoughts on the issue. I'll probably go with "fully ready to go" each use as the players are not at all abusing the thing.