Gavin McCall calls a healer

Okay, so who else out there has a D&D character like my Gavin McCall? You know the type – always diving headfirst into danger, maybe a bit too reckless, and inevitably ends up needing a healer after almost every big encounter. It's a running joke in our group how many gold pieces we've poured into keeping Gavin alive! It genuinely feels like every other session, we're hearing the familiar plea, 'Can someone heal me?' or me, as the player, grimacing as I tally up the cost of another Potion of Healing. Seriously though, it got me thinking about the whole 'healer economy' in D&D. Is it just me, or does it feel like a significant chunk of your hard-earned gold always goes to potions, healing spells, or paying NPCs to patch you up? I remember one particularly brutal session where Gavin, being his usual brave (or perhaps foolish) self, decided to charge a group of gnolls head-on, ignoring the advice of our more cautious wizard. He took a critical hit from a flind's flail, and before we knew it, half our loot from that dungeon delve was gone just getting him back on his feet and removing a nasty curse. It’s frustrating to watch your gold dwindle, but I have to admit, it adds a layer of tension and realism to the game that I really appreciate. It makes healing feel earned, even if it hurts the wallet! I’ve been trying to get better at resource management in our campaigns to ease the burden on our poor cleric and my character’s dwindling funds. My current strategy, which seems to be helping a bit, involves a few key approaches that fellow adventurers might find useful: Proactive Healing During Combat: Instead of waiting for someone to drop to 0 HP, we try to use smaller healing spells or potions strategically throughout combat to keep everyone topped up. A 'Healing Word' here, a 'Cure Wounds' there, or even a simple Potion of Healing when someone takes a big hit can prevent a much more costly 'Revivify' later. It’s about damage mitigation and keeping the party above that 'danger zone.' Mastering Defensive Tactics: This is something I'm constantly reminding myself and Gavin about! Instead of always rushing in, thinking a bit more strategically about positioning, using cover, and even retreating to a more advantageous spot can save a lot of HP. Sometimes avoiding the hit entirely is the best 'healing'! Learning enemy attack patterns and focusing on high-priority threats can also reduce incoming damage significantly. Exploring Alternative Healing Methods: Beyond just spell slots and potions, there are other ways to recover. Does our cleric have access to 'Mass Healing Word' for group-wide top-ups? Can we squeeze in a short rest to utilize hit dice? Are there any herbalism kits or healing kits in the party that can provide quick, albeit minor, relief? Sometimes, even a well-placed 'Aid' spell before an anticipated tough fight can give everyone those crucial extra hit points. Don't forget about features like Second Wind for Fighters or Lay on Hands for Paladins – they're free healing! Prioritizing Gold for Essentials: This is a tough one for me, as I love shiny new magic items! But I've learned to prioritize what we spend our gold on. Is that fancy magic weapon or expensive scroll really more important than ensuring we have enough healing supplies (potions, diamond dust for Revivify, etc.) for the next dungeon delve? Usually not! Stocking up on common healing items should often be a higher priority than that new cosmetic cloak. It’s all part of the learning curve in D&D, making those tactical decisions both in and out of combat. Gavin McCall might be a bit of a gold sink, but he’s my gold sink, and every time he scrapes by thanks to some quick thinking (and a lot of healing), it makes for a truly memorable story. What are your best tips for managing healing costs and keeping your party alive and solvent in your D&D games? Share your own 'Gavin McCall' stories – I bet I'm not alone in constantly calling for a healer!