alternate hit point systems

[theRogueRooster]

I'm not a big fan of D&D's "increasing hit points" system and I was wondering if anyone had a link to any alternate systems in use. I'm tinkering with a system myself and I'd like to see how others tackled the issue.

Please note: I'm not interested in hearing how my opinion is wrong, so please check your flamethrowers at the counter. This is an asbestos-free environment.

Thanks,
tRR

 

[Jerrid Al-Kundo]

I use the Wounds & Vitality system from Star Wars. It's great for running a low magic campaign, freeing the PCs from dependance on Clerics that don't exist.

 

[Moulin Rogue]

This thread belongs in house rules, but.....

check out the Vitality Points / Wound Points (VP/WP) system used in the d20 incarnation of Star Wars. A D&D conversion of them is found in Asgard Issue 2 -

http://www.d20reviews.com/asgard.htm

 

[Crothian]

Your opinion is wrong!! You are wrong!! HPs are a sacred cow!!

Sorry, couldn't resist. THere are many systems and many people who feel the same as you. There is the VP/WP system that Star Wars and other more modern games use. There's other systems out there, too. What about the system do you not like? That might help direct you in the correct way.

 

[Jack Haggerty]

If you want to try something really deadly, just do away with HPs altogether, and have weapons deal ability damage.

 

[mmadsen]

If you want to try something really deadly, just do away with HPs altogether, and have weapons deal ability damage.

I'm sure the 1st-level Wizards won't mind. "You mean I'm alive? He jabbed me with the pointy stick -- and I'm alive?" D&D is super-lethal toward low-level non-Fighters.

 

[Zerovoid]

You can look on the internet for Ken Hood's Grim and Gritty hit point rules. They are pretty solid, and would be cool in a campaign with very little magic. Unfortunately, they are more realistic, so a fireball will blow you up, but in a world where most adventurers are rogues, fighters, barbarians, etc... I would really like to try using them.

 

[Jack Daniel]

I don't much like the Asgard system, or the Grim n Gritty system -- none of them fit my view of the game. I did post my own system though, right on the house rules forum at this link. (Actually, in truth it's a whole lot like the Asgard system, but with minor tweaks that greatly improve the balance and feel of the rules).

 

[Kaptain_Kantrip]

Here are four ideas for alternate hit point systems:

WP/VP from Star Wars/WoT/Spycraft

1d6 + CON per level from Call of Cthulhu d20

HP = CON score (no advancement except by Toughness feats or stat increases)

HP = 10 + CON mod (no advancement except by Toughness feats or stat increases)

Another idea is to split the HP (CON score) up into different body areas and when a body part loses all its HP, it is destroyed. Top Secret/S.I. did this, though I don't recall the exact formula.