Ok so reading through the core rule book as I do sometimes and a thought hit me. Why does the Barbarian have D12 hit dice when Hit dice are tied to BAB? I sort of have a vague memory of something about it but can’t remember.
But then an idea come to me, would it be so bad if fighters had D12 hit dice? Why? Well they take a pounding in combat much like a barb, then it hit me no spell casting! Mechanics wise they have no spell casting, so why not house rule it.
My idea keep hit dice as they are tied to BAB but if it is a full BAB class with no spell casting then they get jumped from D10 to D12.
Don’t want to go on rambling, so what do you guys think?
I think for the barbarian, it is because they get a negative (-2) to AC when they rage and no access to the heavier armor without taking a feat. it helps to balance out the danger they put themselves in when raging, since when their rage is turned off when knocked unconscious, their Con goes back down and there is a good chance they can get deep into the negatives. Other rage powers can lower the AC even more for greater effects.
Traditionally Barbs have got a d12, while fighters had d10. While the different classes in PF got HD tied to BAB, barbarians remained an exception.
Compared to fighters, barbarians need the hit points, since they have lower AC.
In my opinion, there isn't any reason to raise the hitpoints of full BAB classes (with or without spell casting). For instance, gunslingers are one class that I don't really see as a d12 HD class...
EDIT: Mind you, granting fighters d12 is not going to break the game, or make a tremendous shift in balance between fighters and barbarians. However I would be interested in arguments on, why the change should be made?
Thanks guys :) I know Barbs have always had D12's and never had any thoughts on it, its just now in Pathfinder it came to me.
I totally forgot about gunslinger maybe keep it to fighters. Anyway was just an idea and wanted just as I'm getting feed back :) You know you see something and wonder why keep it that way or why it is that way.
I can also see the -ac thing but they also get powers that can incease their ac too, I cant see it being the reason for the hit dice increase as much as its just how it has been. As they get a boost to con when raging which gives them bonus hit points.
Again great replys and civil which is good :)
One thing that is scary is that losing your rage can be the death of you if you are too low. This excerpt from the Core Rulebook about Constitution is the killer:
Temporary Bonuses: Temporary increases to your Constitution score give you a bonus on your Fortitude saving throws. In addition, multiply your total Hit Dice by this bonus and add that amount to your current and total hit points. When the bonus ends, remove this total from your current and total hit points.
Emphasis mine. That means if you are taken to 0 or less HP and your rage ends, you actually lose more HP because the Constitution went down. That's why the barbarian gets so much HP from both his hit dice and rage. It's a dangerous line to walk when raging.
Yeah being a frothing lunatic is bad for your health I had a dwarf barb back in 3.5e and he had to be healed before his rage ended most fights so he didnt die :)
The one time he didnt die when his rage ended he was still Unconscious when his water breathing ended :( he was still loads of fun to play but that story is for another time.
I agree LazarX, I have these moments quite alot with one thing or another but most dont last long LOL. This one has stuck through the night (couldnt get to sleep for it), so for once thought I would post it here for your thoughts. I'm trying to be more active on these forums when I can and this seemed like a good one to start with.
I still dont know how I feel about it, but am sort of siding with what you guys are saying 'It wouldnt break anything or be over powered but then why do it, its fine the way it is'
I didnt really expect replies so quick and find it hard to keep up with posts from just you 3, gods know how I would cope with lots of replies :)
(( Forum hiccup ate my post, so here's attempt #2! ))
Ah, the D12 hit die. The holy grail of the HP world! Sure, you can give to a fighter without too much worry; but how does the BARBARIAN feel about it?
Consider the scenario- You have a fighter in the group, you give him the D12, he's happy. No one minds. It's all good! But then you get someone who wants to roll up a barbarian, or at least take levels in the class- and they feel as though something's been taken away from it, that it's a little less special.
Sometimes it isn't about balance, but what is fair, y'know?
Let the barbarian have his D12, I say. He deserves that little extra jolt, that morning coffee.