I've found the best way around this is to not do this(Con Score + HD) for the NPCs, even important ones.I could do that but one of the key things that appeals to me about 3.x in contrast to other versions of D&D is that NPCs and PCs use the same build rules. While that might make them needlessly complex to generate and play from an aesthetics reason I like having both types of characters operate on the same ruleset.
So for me the kicker needs to be scaled for both PC and NPC use.
You could use the old "PC classes are better than NPC classes and racial HD" trick. The rules already specify that if your first level is a PC class level, you get max for that level.
So why not: if your first level is a PC class level, add your Con score. Important NPCs with PC classes get a survivability boost, while warriors, adepts, and the like can still function as low-HP mooks.
Hmm...
I have them gain hp in set increments starting at max and in descending order by twos each level after that until 2 then back to max, that way every class has a base hit point level and the deciding factor is con score
Does being a devout worshiper of the God of Dice make me a noooob? D:
In all seriousness, I've never been a fan of point buy or altering the general HD rules, though I can see how it could be helpful depending on the way one runs their campaigns.
I have them gain hp in set increments starting at max and in descending order by twos each level after that until 2 then back to max, that way every class has a base hit point level and the deciding factor is con score
Doesn't that sort of very strongly encourage multiclassing out when you hit the median hp mark? Or does the second class' progression get somehow pro-rated? Not sure how that would work.
I'd say multiclassing shouldn't have too much of an effect unless you get more levels in the new class that the old, and then you should stall a level or two, where you either get the same amount as the previous level or you skip a progression.
OK, so I'm a fighter 1/barbarian 2 with 16 Con. Do I get 13 + 15 + 13 hp? Or 13 + 13 + 11? Or 13 + 11 + 9?
I actually have no idea how it works, so I can't say whether I'd like it or not.
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OK, so I'm a fighter 1/barbarian 2 with 16 Con. Do I get 13 + 15 + 13 hp? Or 13 + 13 + 11? Or 13 + 11 + 9?
I actually have no idea how it works, so I can't say whether I'd like it or not.
Fighter 3 would be 13(10+Con) + 11(8+Con) + 9(6+Con).
Fighter1/Barbarian2 would be 13(10+Con) + 13(10+Con) + 11(8+Con).
Barbarian3 would be 15(12+Con) + 13(10+Con) + 11(8+ Con).
Just guesstimating off the hip here.
Conversely, a Fighter1/Wizard2 would be 13(10+Con) + 9(6+Con) + 7(4+Con).
Fighter1/Barbarian2 would be 13(10+Con) + 13(10+Con) + 11(8+Con).
Conversely, a Fighter1/Wizard2 would be 13(10+Con) + 9(6+Con) + 7(4+Con).
This is inconsistent, then; multiclassing to barbarian continues the minusing, whereas mutliclassing to wizard "resets" you to the highest HD value?
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This is inconsistent, then; multiclassing to barbarian continues the minusing, whereas mutliclassing to wizard "resets" you to the highest HD value?Fighter1/Barbarian2 would be 13(10+Con) + 13(10+Con) + 11(8+Con).
Conversely, a Fighter1/Wizard2 would be 13(10+Con) + 9(6+Con) + 7(4+Con).
No, multiclassing to Wizard lowers your progression by two steps instead of one. Although three steps may be better so that multiclassing Cleric lowers you by two steps. Multiclassing Barbarian freezes the progression for one step.
Think of it in terms of the HD. If you multiclass Barbarian, your upper end has increased by 2. If you multiclass Wizard your upper end decreases by 4.
At the moment, my group rolls but any roll beneath 1/2 HD defaults to half HD.
In the Dark Sun campaign I plan to run soon, I'm definitely giving them full HP for at least first three levels. Then... we'll see, either I'll continue giving them full hit points or default them to 1/2 HD +1 per level.
I don't like rolling for your hit points much. I can appreciate rolling for stats (though these days, we tend to use very benevolent systems for rolling stats, like "roll 3d6 and replace the lowest die with 6"), but rolling hit points always seemed to miss the point of some classes having higher hit dice in the first place. It's too easy to make the character unnecessarily challenged with just a few poor rolls.
No, multiclassing to Wizard lowers your progression by two steps instead of one. Although three steps may be better so that multiclassing Cleric lowers you by two steps. Multiclassing Barbarian freezes the progression for one step.
Think of it in terms of the HD. If you multiclass Barbarian, your upper end has increased by 2. If you multiclass Wizard your upper end decreases by 4.
Given that this is making my head hurt, it's not something I'm likely to switch to anytime soon. ;P
I'm a follower of The Dice too. Max hp for first level but rolling thereafter. (If a '1' is rolled it can be re-rolled but if it's '1' again Fate has decreed it so).
When I ran a Ravenloft game with PFBeta I used the HD + Con Mod + Attribute sidebar rule, rolling HP thereafter, as above.
Cheers
MaRK
For my characters, I take the actual average, having a .5 every even level. A half hitpoint doesn´t count in game, only for becoming a whole one when leveling.
So for example my wolf companion (d8) lvl 5, con modifier +2 has
8 + 4,5 + 4,5 + 4,5 + 4,5 + 5*2 = 36 hit points (since 4.5 is the expectation of a d8)
(our DM said "roll or take average")
As for rules with a higher expectation (max hit points, that dx -> d4+(x-4) thing et cetera), I wouldn´t be sure that the balance holds. One effect of high hp is reducing the effect of luck but also the effectivity of casters and powers that are limited to a number of rounds per day since the fights go longer. It increases the expenses in potions but also makes the usage of potions more effective.
So after all, it´s about experience in using different rules which I haven´t - woulda be nice if someone here who indeed compared the rules could give some insight
I use the average myself, max at first level, half round down for each even level, half round up for each odd level.
+1
In our group there is the option to roll the dice (except for first level obviously) or do it the way Kierato handles it.
You decide each level which method to take.
I had an idea that I'm going to try out in my next campaign. Max + con mod at first level, as usual. Each level after, you roll for hp but if the result on the die is equal to or less than your con mod you reroll.Do you still get your con bonus on top of that?
Yes. Do you think that would be too much?
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For level 1 hit points, I do max + your Constitution score(not including modifier), roll for 'em from then on. This usually leads to slightly more resilient characters, but not to the point that they're invincible.
+1
But I let them re-roll 1's once. If they get it again, someone wanted them to have that 1.
In my group the players roll for the hit points, and if they don't like the number they can choose to take whatever I roll as a DM. They have to take whatever I roll though. Most people don't go for the reroll unless they roll less than half.
+1. I use this method as well.