D4 hit die class?


Pathfinder First Edition General Discussion


I've often wondered if Pathfinder will ever see the return of a class structured off of a D4 hit dice rather than the current minimum D6. The main reason for my asking is I often play the squishy, sit in the far back, supporting spellcaster of my groups, and in some cases it's better to play squishier classes that offer the overall lower hit points pool in exchange for the extra abilities/spells/whatever that they gain.
Thoughts on the benefits or drawbacks of such a concept are appreciated, thank you for reading!


Wonder no further, for tying HD direct to BAB and removing all d4 HD was part of the earliest stages of the system's design. Honestly, the change in hit points between d4 and d6 is not as meaningful as a good Constitution modifier.

Liberty's Edge

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I think if Paizo tried, there would be hordes of nerds with torches and pitchforks (and Bat'leth, Excalibur reproductions, etc.) converging on their headquarters.


I dont think it really matters , they just made the d6 be the lowest dice , all there is to it. That is the squishy dice for pathfinder.

It isnt like classes seem to be lacking features because they use d6s instead of d4s.


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I can't even really think of any benefit minor enough that you could give a theoretical d4 HD class that would only be as valuable as 1 hp/level. So we're talking a... wizard with a (mediocre) favored class bonus for free. Or the equivalent of +2 to one attribute that has between 8-11 points in it to start.

I don't see it really being worth trying.


Not necessary. Want to sacrifice HP for more power elsewhere? Dump your CON and spend it on Int/Wis/Dex or whatever. Or change your race to elf.


I would no longer play a d4 HD class. I like the increased HD that Rogues and spellcasters received with the PF rules too much.


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Please...don't...I have a hard enough time keeping the eldrich knight with bad HD rolls alive without dropping his HD.


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If memory serves, the whole HD idea is bigger dice means you're closer to melee. Thus, barbarians and fighters and proper monks have the good ones, bards and rogues who support melee get a decent d8, and 'squishy' types get a d6.

About the only class I can imagine even getting a d4 as a hit die would be the commoner. Mainly because ... honestly, commoner. And even then it's a d6 class because @#$% the d4, who wants to have any kind of character who could be dropped by stepping on its hit die by accident?

You'd need something really really alluring or really really thematic to justify a d4. And somehow I don't imagine anyone liking the idea of making a character that's more powerful than a wizard, sorcerer, or cleric.

Silver Crusade

Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

Ah, the wonderful and joyful days of playing a 1 hp 0e/1e/2e PCs. Now that was true roleplaying, unlike this whole MMO anime nonsense of having Wizards with 6 hp... /sarcasm

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