That's fantastically awful.
Did you make this up, or is this a commentary on a terrible DM you had?
At very low levels it's more like 1 point one round and 5 points the next. I've been DMing inexperienced players and thought it best to let them get their bearings first before adding too much drama. For a more experienced group, I would roll for all damage regardless of character level.I hate, hate, hate, hate DM's who use the static damage. It makes combat lifeless and boring. I want to get hit for 2 points one round and 30 the next. Never knowing for sure what's coming is part of the excitement and fun of D&D.