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<blockquote data-quote="Fanaelialae" data-source="post: 5102843" data-attributes="member: 53980">Hit points aren't a necessary aspect of d20, as evidenced by True 20 (which uses a saving throw vs damage system instead).That said, I think hp are a good mechanic.&nbsp; While I've used systems with condition tracks in the past, I much prefer hp.&nbsp; Condition tracks usually introduce additional modifiers that one has to track, and more importantly often cause unheroic death spirals (once injured, you suffer penalties to attacks, defenses and speed which make further injury likely, and death potentially inevitable).&nbsp; IME, systems that use condition tracks tend to be quite deadly.&nbsp; On the other hand, I'll grant that it's more realistic.Hp are simple to track and generally don't involve nasty death spiral mechanics.&nbsp; I find it's also easier to estimate the outcome of a given match in an hp system (though that may just be because I have more experience with D&amp;D than other systems).&nbsp; IMO, hp are an excellent mechanic for modeling heroic fantasy.&nbsp; They're less ideal for grittier genres (having played d20 Call of Cthulhu, I felt hp and the d20 system in general were a poor fit).</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Fanaelialae, post: 5102843, member: 53980"] Hit points aren't a necessary aspect of d20, as evidenced by True 20 (which uses a saving throw vs damage system instead). That said, I think hp are a good mechanic. While I've used systems with condition tracks in the past, I much prefer hp. Condition tracks usually introduce additional modifiers that one has to track, and more importantly often cause unheroic death spirals (once injured, you suffer penalties to attacks, defenses and speed which make further injury likely, and death potentially inevitable). IME, systems that use condition tracks tend to be quite deadly. On the other hand, I'll grant that it's more realistic. Hp are simple to track and generally don't involve nasty death spiral mechanics. I find it's also easier to estimate the outcome of a given match in an hp system (though that may just be because I have more experience with D&D than other systems). IMO, hp are an excellent mechanic for modeling heroic fantasy. They're less ideal for grittier genres (having played d20 Call of Cthulhu, I felt hp and the d20 system in general were a poor fit). [/QUOTE]

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