Healing vs First Aid

[sgeorge1701]

I have a question about proficiencies:

Healing vs First Aid.

From what I can tell - First aid (non-weap prof) requires you to roll your widsom, get 1-3 hit points for bandages and can't be done in combat.

Healing (a full weapon prof) requires you to roll your widsom, get 1-3 hit points for bandages and can't be done in combat. (ever tried to bandage someone while they are fighting?)

I'm missing something - why would ANYONE choose Healing as a proficiency if First Aid does it all for 1/2 the price. I know their are rolls for "other species" and the Skills and Prof book says you get to affect your saving throws - but I don't think the changes to your sav throw is allowed in DMs world.

Please enlighten me oh helpful Healers!

Thanks,
Dr. Flint

[David]

Howdy Steven,

The difference between First Aid and Healing, from a combat perspective, is that First Aid may ONLY be done to save a life (the victim is at 0 or fewer hit points and can only be raised to a maximum of 1 hit point) while Healing can be used for any wound (above or below zero). In addition, Healing allows for the diagnosis of other conditions and (possibly) their cure.

Think of First Aid more like "basic triage" and Healing like "primative doctor"

David

[sgeorge1701]

In addition, Healing allows for the diagnosis of other conditions and (possibly) their cure.

Think of First Aid more like "basic triage" and Healing like "primative doctor"


OK - cool that helps a lot.

I take that means I can be fighting a bad guy - take a quick look at him and say "Hmmm, it looks like he needs 10 points more of damage before he goes down..."

I wonder... would this help an assassin/backstabbing theif analyse where to strike to maximise their weapon's damage?

Steve

[David]

With the HEALING skill and a successful wisdom check (modified due to anatomical differences) AND a one round analysis, yes, you could get a very good idea of the health of an opponent. It would be the medical equivalent of "find weakness" (and if you had that skill, they would DEFINITELY function synergistically).

As for an assassin or thief, no, there is no benefit/stacking. That said, the one assassin I do play has had Healing since first level presicely because I wanted to play-up and liked the dichotomy of the interaction of vital area attacks and medical care.