D&D General Rolling HPs

[FarBeyondC]

How do you go about it.

Assuming I'm not just maxing hit points, it's take the (rounded up) average or gamble on the (relatively) favorable chance of getting something higher.

Don't like the consequences of getting a 1? Don't gamble.

 

[commandercrud]

Roll and take what you get.

 

[TwoSix]

My current rule is that you roll all your hit die, and maximize your lowest die. So if you're a 4th level cleric, you roll 4d8. You roll a 1, 3, 5, 8. You maximize the 1, so your new HP total is 3+5+8+8 = 24 (+Con modifiers).

The other part of the rule is that you reroll your hit points every long rest; if your new roll is higher than your previous total, your new hit point total is the new roll. That rule sticks even across levels. I had a PC who rolled extremely well at 9th level, so well that their HP total didn't budge until 12th level.

 

[DND_Reborn]

My current rule is that you roll all your hit die, and maximize your lowest die. So if you're a 4th level cleric, you roll 4d8. You roll a 1, 3, 5, 8. You maximize the 1, so your new HP total is 3+5+8+8 = 24 (+Con modifiers).

The other part of the rule is that you reroll your hit points every long rest; if your new roll is higher than your previous total, your new hit point total is the new roll. That rule sticks even across levels. I had a PC who rolled extremely well at 9th level, so well that their HP total didn't budge until 12th level.

I thought about doing the reroll all HD when you level and if your new total is higher, you keep it. I am glad to hear someone is doing something similar. I assume it is working out well for you?

 

[Stormonu]

I've used a variety of methods, each less stringent than the last. Currently, it's roll, you get at least average.

Had my mind seriously changed about "roll and stick with it" after having a 1st level fighter with 1 HP back in AD&D. Oddly enough, that character survived until she was killed by a shadow, of all things - which doesn't do hp damage, but drains Strength.

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

Currently, we do RAW: you can choose to roll or take average rounded up

In a tough campaign, I let the players roll and take the roll or average, whichever is higher.

 

[Minigiant]

You have to choose to roll or take the average before rolling.

If you roll a 1 and survive to the next level, you get to roll twice or max -2.

 

[atanakar]

Max at first. Average afterwards. No rolls. I once had a player who wanted to roll anyway but ended up crying like a baby because he rolled below average often and I had to give him average like everybody else.

 

[billd91]

We have the player roll and the DM roll. Player takes the higher of the two. 1s are significantly less likely and the expected value ends up rising to between 60% and 70% of max depending on the die size. It's a nice system.

 

[Eyes of Nine]

Well, in my campaign, the wizards are strong, the barbarians are good looking, and all the dice (rolls) are above average