Potion of heroism not good for high level characters?

[Halaster Blackcloak]

I read through the description of this little-used (in my games anyway) potion (potion of heroism), and it struck me that it really is biased against higher level characters. A 3rd level fighter drinking it would gain 57 hp, while a 9th level fighter would gain only 25 hp. If my math is correct.

I mean, sure, let's help out the lower level fighter who needs the help more, but twice as many hp?

[Beowulf]

Maybe it's because high level fighters are very powerful already. But you make a point.

[garhkal]

That's what the superheroism potion's for!

[Beowulf]

Woah! Long time no see, Garhkal! How've you been?

[garhkal]

I've been good. Forgot i had an account on this site, when i upgraded my laptop a few years back..

[garhkal]

As a linked question. I've seen some over on DF mention, that the 'temp levels' one gains from potion(s) of heroism (superheroism), act as a buffer vs undead energy drains.. So if fighter mc fighter gains 3 levels from drinking it, he has to be hit by 4 unlead level losses before HE actually loses one.

[Halaster Blackcloak]

I'd agree with that. It makes sense, because any hit point loss comes off the temp hit points first. So yeah, I'd do level drain the same way. Kind of a cool, sneaky way (if you have the potion and come across life draining undead) to, as you said, use it as a buffer to avoid losing your actual levels.

[garhkal]

TO me, if that was how it was supposed to have been used you would have thought, THE DESIGNERS would have mentioned it!!!

[Halaster Blackcloak]

You'd think! But man, they really left some holes in the rules to figure out - and many of them were not corrected in 2E! Look at how long the mistake of mummies getting their energy form the Positive Material Plane has persisted. All over a typo, as admitted by Gary.

[garhkal]

Thing is, it wasn't till say 8 or so years ago, from someone OVER on DF who suggested it, that i even THOUGHT about the additional life levels (TEMPORARY) given by those two potions, could even BE seen as a possible blocker for undead's energy draining attacks.. PRIOR TO THAT, i always thought it would hit your TRUE levels, not those the potion gave.

[Halaster Blackcloak]

I'd assume it would be off the extra levels first, just like hit points are taken from the extra first. In fact, I could swear somewhere, some item or spell or something does mention taking levels off the extra granted ones first when a level drain happens. It rings a bell, but a distant un-located one.