Doctor and first aid
This page is about one of the special rules. For the skills doctor and first aid click those links, for the class 'doctor' click here.
Use of the Skills 'First Aid' and 'Doctor':
Fundamentally, there is a distinction between whether you are treating a wound or illness, or simply restoring hit points.
Wounds:
When it comes to wounds, the doctor often has very little time to treat them. As outlined in the rules for critical hits, critical failures, and wounds, there are often only a few combat rounds available before the wounded character, for example, bleeds out.
But even wounds such as broken arms or legs must first be treated before focusing on hit points, which represent general health.
The treatment of wounds is rolled either using the Doctor or First Aid skill, depending on the DM’s decision and the severity of the injury.
It’s important that the character providing medical aid also has appropriate tools, starting with a basic first-aid kit like those found in vehicles.
Take, for example, a leg fracture caused by a projectile weapon: in this case, both Doctor and First Aid could be used, and the healer should use whichever skill they are better at.
A successful skill check doesn’t magically restore the wounded character. It simply means the wound has been treated — for instance, the character’s leg has been splinted. For the next period of time (let’s say 4–6 in-game weeks), care should be taken that the character avoids putting stress on that leg.
This treatment does not restore any hit points.
Hit Points:
A doctor or medic can restore hit points using the appropriate equipment, which is consumed or worn out in the process. The following applies:
| AP-Costs: | Doctor: | First aid: |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 1 D10 + 10 | 1 D6 + 6 |
| 6 | 2 D10 + 8 | 1 D6 + 8 |
| 8 | 2 D10 + 13 | 2 D6 + 10 |
| 12 | 3 D10 + 18 | 3 D6 + 8 |
The AP cost (action points) for treatment can begin in one combat round and be continued in the next.
Illnesses:
Illnesses can only be treated using the Doctor skill. Again, per the DM’s decision, appropriate supplies must be available — for example, medication, or at least a warm blanket and a cold compress. Illnesses cannot be treated using the First Aid skill.