Abstract HP

[Professor Phobos]

I was under the impression you weren't supposed to think about it too much in any edition of D&D.

 

[rkanodia]

Right. The real problem I see with 4E in this regard has nothing to do with making HP abstract, but not making healing abstract. If I'm able to casually miss some near-severe blows, I don't need healing - I need a light refresher or a surge of energy or an inspiring word - not healing.

Maybe there's a better way to describe healing than the way it's now being described. The cleric may cure wounds, but a Warlord helps you push past them. That may be the same mechanic but it's critical that it be described differently (and not uniformly called 'healing').

"Invigorate" might be a sufficiently broad term.

 

[Corinth]

I was under the impression you weren't supposed to think about it too much in any edition of D&D.

As with the fluff text that fails to define Hit Points as abstract, this purported defense of it also fails. If it can't stand up to scrutiny, then it fails and those responsible for it should be dragged out and publically punished for their failure.

 

[Professor Phobos]

As with the fluff text that fails to define Hit Points as abstract, this purported defense of it also fails. If it can't stand up to scrutiny, then it fails and those responsible for it should be dragged out and publically punished for their failure.

It hasn't stood up to scrutiny since the dawn of gaming, though. Hit point debates are as old as the mountains.

And yet, the game is played- most groups just seem to shrug and not care about it.