temp hit points. just to be sure

[0-hr]

If a fighter with a 14 CON already has 2 temporary hit point from his Crushing Surge (an 'invigorating' attack) last round, does his Crushing Surge this round up that to 4?

I'm guessing "no", but wanted to be sure as it's a big difference.


FAQ

12. Can you ever stack temporary hit points?


No. If you receive temporary hit points from more than one source, just use the higher number, not the sum.

 

[N8Ball]

If a fighter with a 14 CON already has 2 temporary hit point from his Crushing Surge (an 'invigorating' attack) last round, does his Crushing Surge this round up that to 4?

I'm guessing "no", but wanted to be sure as it's a big difference.
FAQ

Normally no, those temp HP would not stack. If you have 2 and get 1 more, you just have 2. If you have 2 and get 3, then you have 3.

The exception to this is fighters with the Battlerage Vigor feature. In that case the above rule still applies except when (and only when) using an invigorating power (like Crushing Surge).
In that case, your example would hold true. You have 2 and get 2 more *from an invigorating power* then you would have 4.

The subtlety here is that the BV fighter will be getting temp HP from his class feature and invigorating powers. So if you had 6 temp hp and were hit by a melee attack for 4 damage then the 2 temp hp you'd get (assuming a a con of 14) would not stack with the 2 you had left (because it's not an invigorating power) but the crushing surge you'd use next, *would* be additive to give you 4.

 

[MadLordOfMilk]

Depends, did you take Battlerager Vigor?

Battlerager Vigor
Each time an enemy hits you with a melee or a close
attack, you gain temporary hit points equal to your
Constitution modifier (after the attack is resolved).
When you gain temporary hit points by hitting
with an attack that has the invigorating keyword,
those temporary hit points stack with any other temporary
hit points you already have.
When wearing light armor or chainmail, you gain
a +1 bonus to damage rolls with melee and close
weapon attacks whenever you have temporary hit
points. This bonus increases to +2 if you’re wielding
an axe, a hammer, a mace, or a pick.

See the bold part. If you took Battlerager Vigor, yes, it stacks. If you did not, no it doesn't. Also note that the temp hp from the first part of battlerager vigor (the on-hit trigger) will not stack, ultimately only giving it to you if its temp hp given is higher than your temp hp after the damage is dealt.

 

[0-hr]

Thank you for the replies - I think I've got it now. Looks like a good (if somewhat math intensive )ability.

 

[DrSpunj]

Depends, did you take Battlerager Vigor?

MLoM has quoted BRV from Adventurer's Vault, but it's in Martial Power.

 

[MadLordOfMilk]

MLoM has quoted BRV from Adventurer's Vault, but it's in Martial Power.

*facepalm* I keep doing that. Fixed!