So, the current campaign I'm having a bit of a problem being "the tank" as I have 35 HP at level 5 with a d12 hit die. This is mainly due to starting races (picked Elf, out of a limit of Human, Elf, Half-Elf) and the fact that all decent physical options had negative con modifiers.
I have 7 con, working on getting 8 (the campaign may not make it that long, GM is unsure however, it for sure won't go past 9). I know I need to get a Belt of Con (low wealth world, yay), eventually pick up Toughness, and I'm putting FCB into HP.
I'm slowly retraining HP as downtime in the campaign arises (luckily discounted to be in tune with the world unlike magical items). Is there anything else I can do to increase my HP?
Did you start out with 6 Con? If not, what did you put your 4th level Ability Score Increase into? Can you put it into Con instead?
Have you taken Toughness yet? Have you put your Favored Class Bonus into hit points? Do you have a +2 Con belt yet?
Toughness feat.
So why do you have such a low con? Rolling stats in order? Are you rolling for hps?
I played a paladin once and rolled like 1 or 2 on every level. I had the same hp total as the wizard. This is why I don't have rolling for hps in the games I dm.
You can train to increase your max HP. It takes 3days to increase it by 1. That is if you have downtime, of course.
Wow, I'm blind, didn't see you say you've already started retraining HP, my bad!
With a 7 Con at 5th level, 35 hit points is above average for 5d12-10.
What's your build? Do you have plans for all your upcoming feat slots? Would you be willing to dip into another class?
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why in the world did you start with 7 con? Better yet, HOW?
that low of con a frontliner should NOT have been your first, second, or third choice.
With a 7 Con at 5th level, 35 hit points is above average for 5d12-10.
It's exactly average hp/level, rounded up (7). 12 (max @ 1st) + 28 (4 × 7) - 10 (CON) + 5 (FCB) = 35.
If your campaign won't last long enough to even get another CON bonus, then how much of a problem is it, really?
d12 HD...so a Barbarian with a 7 con. This character shouldn't have even gotten to lvl 5. Not sure if it a player decision or the way the GM runs his game, but really letting any character start with a 7 con is just asking for trouble, especially a melee character. Good luck in that game.
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It is kind of impressive that he made it to level 5 really.
Not even speaking of tanks.... ANY character with CON 7 reaching level 5 is tremendous.
Its strange really.
fortitude save!
Barbarian: aww that is my bad one...
*wizard just give him the crazy eye*
(after thought: If I had a 7 con toughness would of been first feat chosen let me tell ya.)
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The biggest question is how did you generate your stats?
Some sort of draconian roll 3d6 in order, no rerolls, f&%# you.
You would have had to start with a race with a penalty to con and then sold con to push other stats to start with a 6/7, or just rolled incredibly crappy if you rolled and not be able to choose stats.
Since you have d12 HD you must be playing a barbarian...
This whole thing just sounds bad.
So, the current campaign I'm having a bit of a problem being "the tank" as I have 35 HP at level 5 with a d12 hit die. This is mainly due to starting races (picked Elf, out of a limit of Human, Elf, Half-Elf) and the fact that all decent physical options had negative con modifiers.
I have 7 con, working on getting 8 (the campaign may not make it that long, GM is unsure however, it for sure won't go past 9). I know I need to get a Belt of Con (low wealth world, yay), eventually pick up Toughness, and I'm putting FCB into HP.
I'm slowly retraining HP as downtime in the campaign arises (luckily discounted to be in tune with the world unlike magical items). Is there anything else I can do to increase my HP?
To have a 1d12 you must be a Barbarian. For that class your looking to have at lowest a 14 in Con cuz your rage and low AC. But try to use your favored class bonus to HP.
First stats - we chose a grid. We had stats in a 6x6 block, and has to choose those in order. None of the martial options had good con unless they had 11 are and 11 dex.
Second, class is warder from path of war, and go is rolled. I forget my rolls, but I rolled a 3 twice to level up 4 and 5, which is where this really became a problem.
Third, I am an elf. It was chosen before stat generation for thematic reasons in the campaign and I'm regretting it. Yes I did stat with 6 con.
Fourth, my feats have been shield focus, shield brace, and discipline focus (eternal guardian), I actually forgot my 5th level feat, so I have toughness unless there is a better suggestion. (Warder gets a free feat at 3rd)
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That stat generation method just sounds awful
Maybe have a future version of your PC make a dozen dozen wishes to retroactively increase your Con?
That stat generation method just sounds awful
The entire group is getting tired of PB and wanted something more "organic". The grid can be used with rows or columns, but all physical spreads just came out bad, meanwhile every casting stat had at least one 18.
I'm a fan of the 24d6 pool method if I have to roll for stats, but it is what it is.
I think the next game I run, I'm going to have the players roll 4d6, drop the lowest, and then anyone can use any stat array, arranged as they like.
All I can think of is going hunter(verminous) next level dismiss your pet to get fast healing 1 so that you at least start every combat at your full (low) hitpoints and auto-stabilize.
Alchemical items: Barbarian Chew (get an extra round of rage since your con doesn't give you many.
Fury Drops: temp alchemical boost to con
I think the next game I run, I'm going to have the players roll 4d6, drop the lowest, and then anyone can use any stat array, arranged as they like.
Allow me to suggest an alternative that actually produces usable stat arrays from the get-go, and targets a point-buy range.
I think the next game I run, I'm going to have the players roll 4d6, drop the lowest, and then anyone can use any stat array, arranged as they like.Allow me to suggest an alternative that actually produces usable stat arrays from the get-go, and targets a point-buy range.
Too complicated for my group. We play 5th Edition because many are casual gamers who prefer a (relatively) rules and system-mastery light version of the game.
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Too complicated for my group. We play 5th Edition because many are casual gamers who prefer a (relatively) rules and system-mastery light version of the game.I think the next game I run, I'm going to have the players roll 4d6, drop the lowest, and then anyone can use any stat array, arranged as they like.Allow me to suggest an alternative that actually produces usable stat arrays from the get-go, and targets a point-buy range.
If pressing a button is too complicated then I am out of advice. Though 5th Ed. is point-buy only so it's a moot point.
If we're doing "comparative stat generation methods" allow me to recommend my favorite (and a variant)
- Come up with an idea for a person you'd like to roleplay as, then write down whatever stats seem to fit your vision of that person the best.
Alternatively
- Come up with a concept for a person you'd like to roleplay as, then describe this to someone else and write down whatever stats they tell you they think would fit that person the best.
As long as you're coming up with decently realized characters and not "good-at-everything man" or "invincible sword princess" this works remarkably well in my experience. Only thing to watch out for is to make sure everybody's on about the same power level. I'm currently playing a Paladin who is ridiculously well-read, but is woefully nearsighted and has terrible intuition so another player handed me an INT of 16 and a Wisdom of 8.
no its not its what ever the group wants to do for stats weather it be point buy, stat arrays or rolling
Shows how well versed I am in 5E.
Come up with an idea for a person you'd like to roleplay as, then write down whatever stats seem to fit your vision of that person the best.
This is actually my preference, though people aren't very good at making random distributions which means you still get disparities in character power.
I have come to despise 4d6-drop-lowest even though that seems to be the most popular method. It creates even wider variations in character power. And, in my experience, people don't really mean "4d6-drop-lowest". What they really mean is "4d6-drop-lowest, re-roll if character completely sucks". Which is a different algorithm.
What a character really needs is a stat array that's suitable for SAD or MAD characters: two high stats, and the rest mid to low for balance.
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Returning to the original post, the ship has already sailed so you're going to have to make lemonade. Toughness is a given and absolutely needs to be the next thing you do (not "eventually"), but it's also only part of the story. You absolutely must boost your Con and your Fort saves or failed saves (or anything that cause Con drain or damage, e.g. poison) will do you in. So your next priorities will be Improved Fortitude to make up for your Fort save penalty, followed closely by a Belt of Mighty Constitution +2 which you will want to improve every chance you get.
You might even consider a few potions of Bear's Endurance. If there's someone in the party that can brew those beg them to do it for you. Or maybe you have a sorcerer that can afford to take it as a spell and buff you on the first round of combat, every time.
Note that this is costing you two feats, 4,000 gp, and someone's standard action just to be an underperforming tank.
Ideally, you should go talk to your GM and ask to just have your Con adjusted. Explain the situation and beg for at least a 10. This just isn't a viable front-line melee build.
Having played a 3d6-in-order PC, I'd say it what's viable depends on the campaign. If you've survived to level 5 with a Con of 6, your GM is probably being careful not to throw anything too nasty at you.
Also, are you using Traits? If so, take Additional Traits as a Feat and pick up:
Basic, Combat: Resilient for +1 trait bonus to Fort Saves
Race, Elf: Warrior of Old for +2 to Initiative, because you really don't want to be at the bottom of the initiative order when you're fragile
Along with the usual options such as Toughness, a Con belt, etc... there is a Pink Rhomboid ioun stone, 8000 GP, that gives +2 Enhancement Bonus to Con. Unfortunately, this is the same kind of bonus as a Con belt so it doesn't stack.
Nonetheless, it is an option if for whatever reason a Belt isn't on the table. On the other hand, 8000 GP is a lot at the level you're playing at. Maybe more than you have access to.
Favored Class options can help a bit, but I think others mentioned this.
Unfortunately, you're just working with a really, really bad situation and there's only so much system-fu we can do to help.
Along with the usual options such as Toughness, a Con belt, etc... there is a Pink Rhomboid ioun stone, 8000 GP, that gives +2 Enhancement Bonus to Con. Unfortunately, this is the same kind of bonus as a Con belt so it doesn't stack.
No but there is a Ioun Stone that gives Temp Hp and that stacks I think. Price on that could be good.
Otherwise I think you might be kinda shut out on Hp gains a tad. Maybe focus on AC?
We have always favored 25-point buy stat generation, and as GM, I limit my players to a minimum of 7 after racial adjustments. We end up with well-balanced characters. I personally believe that there is too much concern regarding stats, and cases like this are examples of all but unplayable characters. By mid-levels (7-10 or so), stats no longer matter, while feat selection and available loot dominate.
We have always favored 25-point buy stat generation, and as GM, I limit my players to a minimum of 7 after racial adjustments. We end up with well-balanced characters. I personally believe that there is too much concern regarding stats, and cases like this are examples of all but unplayable characters. By mid-levels (7-10 or so), stats no longer matter, while feat selection and available loot dominate.
Stats matter a lot at all levels and are worth more the more you level.
having a 14 con vs an 8 con is 3 HP per level, at lv 7 that is 21 HP and at lv10 30HP. It's also a 3 difference in fort saves
this 6 con difference to make up would take a 36,000 belt of +6 con or 54,000 if you had a dex or str belt already. The table says that a lv10 PC should start with 62,000, so we're talking like 55 or 85% of your total wealth.
Having and 18 str vs a 10 str while two handing is +4 to attack and +6 to damage. using weapon focus, weapon specialization a +2 str belt and a +2 sword is +4 to attack and +5 to damage costing 12,000gp and 2 feats to get where the other started at. Now if you assume that the 18 str also has a belt and +2 sword then you need a +4 belt and a +4 sword costing 36,000gp. So 2 feats and 36,000 gp over the 12,000 for 48,000gp total which isn't affordable until lv 9's 46,000 and that's not counting for all the other gear you're missing out on.
stats are a HUGE way to be good at something since the cost to replicate the bonus they are giving are expense and scale fast and eventually reach a point that you CAN'T spend money to catch up.
So I would say that feats and loot don't dominate, stats do. You can't fix bad stats with them with the amount available to you. But good stats can get by if you have a bad feat or are a little undergolded.
Reincarnation...
This is why I just give PCs stat arrays for my games. Lowest score is an 11, highest is a 16, meaning the highest score anyone can start with is an 18 not a 20. (IIRC the array is 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11) I found it tends to tone things down some and encourages more build diversity by giving multiple good and average stats.
I've been playing 5th Edition, and I generally use the standard array of 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8. After racial modifications, I usually have two 16s. But 5th Edition has Bounded Accuracy, so the max you can get is a 20, and all the DCs and AC are built around that. So it's totally different than PF, where you can get ability scores in the 40s and 50s.
18,16,14,14,12,10 seems like the stat array for you then 2 high scores 2 medium scores 2 low scores
I assume you're being facetious since that's a 39 pt buy equivalent (32 if racial bonus is already figured in).
The point is to have a random method that creates a usable array within a limited point-buy range instead of "totally random". The latter can create wide disparities and flat arrays which look good in the pt-buy system but aren't really viable for a PC.
A 1 level dip into barbarian could work. The temporary bonus to con might be enough to help keep you alive.
alternatively a bloodrager dip, while netting you one less hp will allow you to use wands of stuff like bears endurance, false life, shield, blur and the like.
or if your charisma is good a two level dip into paladin could net you lay on hands and divine grace. The healing may be effective enough to keep you alive assuming the campaign doesn't go on too long. I'm not familiar with path of war so i'm not sure how badly you'll be hurt by multiclassing.
18,16,14,14,12,10 seems like the stat array for you then 2 high scores 2 medium scores 2 low scoresI assume you're being facetious since that's a 39 pt buy equivalent (32 if racial bonus is already figured in).
The point is to have a random method that creates a usable array within a limited point-buy range instead of "totally random". The latter can create wide disparities and flat arrays which look good in the pt-buy system but aren't really viable for a PC.
That's lady-J she isn't being facetious, she plays in games that are highly different than the established norm. The types of games where a 20 point buy is considered "unplayable"