I love how Paizo has integrated the classes BAB and HP structures. I'm not to sure though about the Barbarian "breaking that rule" though, with its D12 for HP.
Wouldn't it have been more appropriate to have given the Barbarian the Toughness feat for free at 1st level, instead of a D12?
Toughness (Ex): At first level, a barbarian gains the Toughness feat. In addition to the normal benefits provided by the feat, barbarians gain an additional 3 hit points (total of 6 hp at first level + 1/level) at first level.
This way the Barbarian would still hold true to the BAB/HP scale but still gain its hp boost throughout his career. More so, in fact, with the +6.
Sure the Fighters & Rangers can keep up somewhat by investing in the Toughness feat themselves, though overall, Barbarians will still remain ahead with the HP boost they gain while raging. Also, with what we have seen from the new rage mechanics, so far, the Barbarian is getting some other pretty nice boosts also.
Just a thought running through my head...
Its not a highly scientific explanation, but toughness doesn't "feel" the same as a d12. I know we changed wizard's hit dice, but something about barbarians just says that they are the top of the food chain for hit dice.
Agreed. Changing the barbarian's d12 doesn't help the game, but uping the wizard's and sorcerer's to d6 does.
Haven't we been over this? There's an older thread about this somewhere. Toughness would open up alot of things like other feat and PrC. If this was to happen it would need to be a class ability something like called barbarian endurance so it would be abused.
Fizz
Well, the main reason I brought it up is for consistencies sake. The merging of BAB and HP mechanic is beautifully simple.
Which led to wondering why the barbarian would be allowed to break that rule. Because he is really that much hardier and robust of an individual?
When it comes down to it, the same thing could rightfully be said of wizards and being relegated back down to a D4 for hit points. Studying, penning spells, and working on alchemical reagents really is not conducive to building a real hearty body after all.
Because the barbarian is uber.
You sir win the thread
Because the barbarian is uber.
You mean body odor enhances a barbarians hp? O,o?
:oP
I see it in a balancing sort of view.
Fighters are the more armored types. They can walk around in heavy armor and such.
Barbarians cannot and some abilities want them in only medium armor.
Their rage also lowers their ac by 2. That sucks.
The current playtest fighter has them gaining bonuses to AC at incremental points in levels.
Either way the short answer is. Barbarians are easier to hit than fighters, so thus the need for a block more hit points is needed.
And yes.... give the d12 some love.
One thing I have everybody should think about:
If we tailor BAB and HD for the classes, so should be do for the monsters!
Ahnald - "Eef you take away my d12 Ahh will put you-ah puny 'ed between my tie's and crus' eet like a g'ape!"
