Page reference for calculating Hit Points?

[Phorsphus]

I am not seeing an instruction anywhere for calculating Hit Points. Previous posters have indicated that HP are a sum of rolls on a character's hit die (one per level) plus CON bonus, but this seems to be common wisdom rather than a written rule. Searching the PDF for the core rules turns up "If you reach 0 HP - your con bonus you are dead."

(Seriously, Paizo, the rest is so awesome, I know you can do better than this for providing levelling and character creation instructions.)

I wonder if someone could point me to a rules reference?

Thanks!

[Are]

In the "Getting Started" chapter of the Core Rulebook or PRD, there are these two quotes:

PRD, Getting Started, Common Terms wrote:

Hit Points (hp): Hit points are an abstraction signifying how robust and healthy a creature is at the current moment. To determine a creature's hit points, roll the dice indicated by its Hit Dice. A creature gains maximum hit points if its first Hit Die roll is for a character class level. Creatures whose first Hit Die comes from an NPC class or from his race roll their first Hit Die normally. Wounds subtract hit points, while healing (both natural and magical) restores hit points. Some abilities and spells grant temporary hit points that disappear after a specific duration. When a creature's hit points drop below 0, it becomes unconscious. When a creature's hit points reach a negative total equal to its Constitution score, it dies.

So, that quote tells us that to determine hit points, one must roll the dice indicated by HD.

PRD, Getting Started, The Abilities, Constitution wrote:

You apply your character's Constitution modifier to:

• Each roll of a Hit Die (though a penalty can never drop a result below 1—that is, a character always gains at least 1 hit point each time he advances in level).

This second quote tells us to add a character's CON modifier to each roll of a HD.

Together, the two quotes then becomes the common wisdom you mentioned.

Edit: I just noticed you wanted page references. The first quote is on page 12 of the CRB, while the second quote is on page 16 of the same book.

[DM_Blake]

To the OP's defense, looking in "Common Terms" to figure out how to calculate HP seems like a weird and counter-intuitive place for it. Just a quick note in the combat section about what HP are, or even a page or two that itemizes the process of character creation (including HP but not limited to just that), you know, in that section (actually the start of those several sections), would have been far more intuitive.

[Are]

I'm in complete agreement that Paizo should have made this clearer, preferably in the "Generating a Character" or "Character Advancement" sections.

I was only answering the question of where the rules for this could actually be found, not suggesting that the OP should somehow have found them on his/her own :)

Edit: The lack of a proper "Level Advancement" section, like page 58 of the 3.5 PHB, is actually one of my biggest gripes with PF.

[Phorsphus]

Aha. Thanks. I'm just getting acquainted with the materials and knew it had to be there somewhere; it's just hard to find, which is why I asked for references.

Much appreciate it. This is very helpful.

[Collide]

Ok so as a noob here I need some help with the hit die thing. Am I correct with this, at first level, you use the highest number from your hit die (for instance a Magus hit die is 1d8) so the first level char would have a hit point value of 8 plus the con bonus? What happens at subsequent levels? is it a 'real' roll of the d8? do you ALWAYS add the con modifier to whatever that roll is?
Thanks!

[Zhayne]

Collide wrote:

Ok so as a noob here I need some help with the hit die thing. Am I correct with this, at first level, you use the highest number from your hit die (for instance a Magus hit die is 1d8) so the first level char would have a hit point value of 8 plus the con bonus? What happens at subsequent levels? is it a 'real' roll of the d8? do you ALWAYS add the con modifier to whatever that roll is?

Thanks!

At first level, you get maximum HP, as if you had rolled the highest possible result on your Hit Die, plus your Constitution Modifier.

Some GMs make you roll, some just use average hit points, or some other method. If you do roll, then yes, you roll the appropriate die.

Yes, you always add your CON modifier to your HP gain when you level up.

[Collide]

Zhayne wrote:

Collide wrote:

Ok so as a noob here I need some help with the hit die thing. Am I correct with this, at first level, you use the highest number from your hit die (for instance a Magus hit die is 1d8) so the first level char would have a hit point value of 8 plus the con bonus? What happens at subsequent levels? is it a 'real' roll of the d8? do you ALWAYS add the con modifier to whatever that roll is?

Thanks!

At first level, you get maximum HP, as if you had rolled the highest possible result on your Hit Die, plus your Constitution Modifier.

Some GMs make you roll, some just use average hit points, or some other method. If you do roll, then yes, you roll the appropriate die.

Yes, you always add your CON modifier to your HP gain when you level up.

Cool. Thanks I will check with my DM about how to proceed.