maximizing dice rolls

[messy]

this question is meant in the context of 3e/3.5/pf, but could apply to any edition (or any rpg, i suppose).

what would happen if all non-d20 rolls were maximized?

for example, a fighter gets 10 hit points plus bonuses/level, a longsword does 8 points of damage plus bonuses, and a first level cleric's cure light wounds heals 9 points of damage.

 

[messy]

would it make more sense to maximize hit points but use the equivalent of measured response for everything else (taking the average of any dice rolls)?

 

[The Crimson Binome]

As long as you're only talking about Hit Points and damage, the major effect would be to increase the disparity between classes and reduce the effect of ability modifiers.

The difference between the maximum values of two dice is twice the difference between the average values of those dice. While you might normally have a Con 12 Fighter and Con 16 Wizard who each gain ~7 hit points per level, maximizing both dice would give the Fighter 11 hit points and the Wizard 9 hit points.

If you take the average values for damage, then that has no real impact on the game. If you average the damage, but maximize hit points, then that increases the relative survivability of Fighters compared to Wizards, but also increases the survivability of everyone over-all (including the monsters, thus making burst damage less useful).

If you maximize hit points and damage, then you've handed a huge boost to evokers, who add dice to their damage faster than enemies add hit dice (and since the Con modifier is relatively less important in the face of maximized dice).