Hussar
Legend
Wouldn't it be nice though if the resolution mechanic that is suppose to resolve something, actually resolves something? Wouldn't it be good if the resolution mechanic separates these two aspects so the player and DM know an attack wounds the target or that a non-wounding attack is avoided by the target? Knowing one way or the other allows you the freedom within each of these situations to describe what you want. While describing a genuine wound might pin you down somewhat, the loss of non-wounding hit points/plot protection can be described any which way the player or DM feels is most appropriate. Separating the two (Wounds and Non-wounds) solves every single anomaly and problem hit points has had and would seemingly allow each side of this debate to play the style that they wish.
Just saying. Again.
Best Regards
Herremann the Wise
Well, I guess at the end of the day, it depends on whether or not the practical issues are worth it. Going with a wounds/vitality system adds complexity. It does. There's no way around that. Is it worth the added complexity? How much is that added complexity going to slow the game down?
At the end of the day, does it really matter? For my money, I'd leave them both in and not worry about it too much. Those that want HP=meat can play it that way. It's not like they didn't play it that way for decades anyway, even if there were problems. For those that want the mix, well, again, it's not like anything's really changed. HP are HP, despite playing dueling definitions across editions.
I'm very, very much not about process simulation. I only care about the end result. We've (probably) all played multiple editions of D&D without this really being an issue because whatever group we end up playing with likely share our predispositions (or are nice enough not to get too fussed about it) and we carry on.
I really do think that this whole issue has been blown WAY out of proportion. No one ever really cared all that much for many years. 4e changed things a bit by adding in non-magical healing, but, really, if you want to play 4e with an earlier edition style HP, it only takes about a sentence or three to get there - remove warlords and change up the healing rates. OTOH, changing 3e to a more 4e style of HP is also ludicrously easy - PC's heal X hp after every encounter and/or use healing wands. Done.
Do we really, really need to fiddle with the mechanics here? When fixing the issue to taste can be done in a sidebar in the DMG?