Can one use a hellish rebuke as a reaction after taking damage that would knock one unconscious?
A friend and I fought during one game and I hit him, so he would have lost, but used his reaction to finish me, too. (It was awesome :D)
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1\$\begingroup\$ The Tempest Domain cleric has a similar "reaction equals damage" ability (Wrath of the Storm) that looks related to this question. I didn't find a question on that, but there is one that is somewhat related: If a Tempest cleric uses the Wrath of the Storm and Thunderbolt Strike features to push an attacker away, can the attacker complete its multiattack? \$\endgroup\$– KorvinStarmastCommented Mar 14, 2016 at 15:32
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\$\begingroup\$ How many times did you hit him? \$\endgroup\$– Drunk CynicCommented Mar 15, 2016 at 5:17
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\$\begingroup\$ @KorvinStarmast, I just asked the question about WotS here: How does the reaction timing work for Wrath of the Storm? Can it potentially prevent the damage from the triggering attack? \$\endgroup\$– SirTechSpecCommented Mar 25, 2016 at 2:44
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2 Answers
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Unfortunately, as awesome as this sounds, by the rules, it doesn't work. Hellish Rebuke is a reaction that you take
in response to being damaged
Not "in response to being hit", or "in response to being attacked". You actually have to take damage to use it.
Whenever a creature takes damage, that damage is subtracted from its hit points.
You haven't taken the damage until you've subtracted it from your hit points. If that puts you on 0 hit points, then
you either die outright or fall unconscious
At which point, you are incapacitated and can't use reactions.
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1\$\begingroup\$ Thank you, too. This was my first instinct, too and I would decide to play it like that if I would have been the DM, but I am grateful for the fun experience of a double ko. ^^ \$\endgroup\$– wOlFCommented Mar 13, 2016 at 23:50
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18\$\begingroup\$ @wOlF It's possible your DM knew it would work like this but decided it was awesome enough that it was worth allowing anyway! \$\endgroup\$– MinimanCommented Mar 13, 2016 at 23:53
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1\$\begingroup\$ tl;dr: "Whenever a creature takes damage, that damage is subtracted from its hit points, but, you haven't taken the damage until you've subtracted it from your hit points." Say wha-?? ;) :D \$\endgroup\$– ShaneCommented Aug 3, 2016 at 21:28
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4\$\begingroup\$ @Shane Here's a better argument: as explained in the DMG, a reaction always occurs after its trigger unless stated otherwise. The trigger here is taking damage, so by the time you can take the reaction you'll have suffered all of the consequences of that damage, including potentially being knocked unconscious. By that same token, if you were affected by Hypnotic Pattern and took damage, you'd be able to use Hellish Rebuke because one of the consequences of taking damage is Hypnotic Pattern ending. \$\endgroup\$– DovalCommented Jun 2, 2017 at 14:01
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2\$\begingroup\$ Absorb Elements also state "The spell captures some of the incoming energy, lessening its effect on you and storing it for your next melee attack.", which implies it reduces the damage taken. The Shield spell get's a bit paradox-y as well. The reaction trigger is being hit, but the spell itself adds AC that can prevent you from being hit, which was the trigger in the first place. \$\endgroup\$ Commented Feb 11, 2021 at 10:30
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The rules are (my emphasis):
Hit Points (PHB p.196)
Whenever a creature takes damage, that damage is subtracted from its hit points. The loss of hit points has no effect on a creature’s capabilities until the creature drops to 0 hit points.
Unconsciousness (PHB p.197)
If damage reduces you to 0 hit points and fails to kill you, you fall unconscious.
Hellish Rebuke (PHB p.250)
Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take in response to being damaged by a creature within 60 feet of you that you can see
Reaction (PHB p.190)
A reaction is an instant response to a trigger of some kind, which can occur on your turn or on someone else’s.
There are two possible sequences here:
damage (trigger) -> reaction (Hellish Rebuke) -> subtracted from hit points -> unconscious
(damage -> subtracted from hit points -> unconscious [all as a single event]) (trigger) -> can't react because unconscious
For mine, a reaction is an instant response to the trigger, and instant means instant; it interrupts the normal sequence of subtracting damage from hp and falling unconscious (or dying) so the first option is the one I think works.
Notwithstanding, awesome should always beat the rules.
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3\$\begingroup\$ There's no call for arguing in the comments. There are two opposite answers: vote according to which you think is correct. \$\endgroup\$ Commented Mar 14, 2016 at 18:38