TOPIC: Potions

Quick Noob question: How common is it to be able to drink a potion before combat without losing a round? (I know drinking one takes a round... I guess I'm asking about just how the rooms usually work.) Should I plan on trying to get a bunch of +str potions or is it usually kinda silly to use em because you lose an attack?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Pauldk

It has been hinted that you might have a few rounds to buff up before fighting the Dragon this year.    That would be worth having a few different ones on hand.    I wouldn't bother using it for every combat though unless you have a Belt of Retrieval. 

<br />Quick Noob question: How common is it to be able to drink a potion before combat without losing a round? (I know drinking one takes a round... I guess I'm asking about just how the rooms usually work.) Should I plan on trying to get a bunch of +str potions or is it usually kinda silly to use em because you lose an attack?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Pauldk<br />

yes, this depends on the room previous and the room you are about to enter. We've had cases where we could drink before entering the room, sometimes not. By the same token, you can sometimes drink once you get into the room, without a penalty to time, sometimes you have to take the penalty. It varies. Sometimes its dependent on how fast the group is moving and if the room is ready.

Don't absolutely count on this, but almost every room has a set up of some sort, and if you are organized when you walk into a room you could poossibly use some of that time to gulp a potion.  For example, you walk into a room with a token in hand and before the DM begins to speak or tell you about the room, you hand the token to him/her and tell them you are swallowing this.  Usually you are not immediately in combat when you enter a room.  Just be aware that could change depending on what you did in the previous room--like set off a trap that alerts the critter in the next room, etc.  <br /><br />Good luck.