Talk:Attack Types/@comment-24629512-20160220020542/@comment-464022-20160329134629

I always saw it as a reference to Earthbound's 'Rolling HP Meter' mechanic. In which case it's more helpful than harmful.

Compare it to how HP is handled in a typical JRPG:

Typical HP rule: You have 20 HP, you take 20 HP of damage; Game Over.

Rolling HP rule: You have 20 HP, you take 20 HP of damage; It takes time for your HP to drain to 0, thus giving you time to save yourself from a Game Over.