[Bard] Inspire Courage bonus hit dice

[cutup]

Inspire courage provides 2 bonus hit dice (d10s) and the deserved amount of hit points (plus any CON bonus that the subject has). Are you expected to just roll the d10s at the time of the ability is used, or is the average generally taken? Anyone know where I could find this information? Thanks.

 

[Stalker0]

I would do it the way your group normally does hitpoints. If you roll...rolll. If you normally take the average or something to that effect, do the same thing for the bard hitpoints.

 

[Scharlata]

Inspire courage provides 2 bonus hit dice (d10s) and the deserved amount of hit points (plus any CON bonus that the subject has). Are you expected to just roll the d10s at the time of the ability is used, or is the average generally taken? Anyone know where I could find this information? Thanks.

Hi and welcome to the boards!

I'd see to apply the normal rules for gaining HD. Average hp for NPCs and monsters and player's choice for PCs.

Enjoy!

 

[Hypersmurf]

Small point - Inspire Greatness, not Inspire Courage.

Another interesting effect of the bonus hit dice - it may allow a character with Practised Spellcaster to increase his caster level temporarily, or give a boost to the Animal Companion of a character with the Natural Bond feat.

-Hyp.

 

[Mistwell]

Small point - Inspire Greatness, not Inspire Courage.

Another interesting effect of the bonus hit dice - it may allow a character with Practised Spellcaster to increase his caster level temporarily, or give a boost to the Animal Companion of a character with the Natural Bond feat.

-Hyp.

That's a cool use of it actually. Particularly the practiced spellcaster part.

 

[Kieperr]

Small point - Inspire Greatness, not Inspire Courage.

Another interesting effect of the bonus hit dice - it may allow a character with Practised Spellcaster to increase his caster level temporarily, or give a boost to the Animal Companion of a character with the Natural Bond feat.

-Hyp.

I'm not so sure about that. The Inspire Greatness ability lists what it affects (hit points, BAB, Fort saves). Caster level is not mentioned. As for the line about "the effect of spells such as sleep" does not mean the inspired character's caster level increases. Sleep is not dependent upon the caster's level but upon the hit dice of the creature the spell is cast upon (4 hit dice of creatures).

 

[Hypersmurf]

I'm not so sure about that. The Inspire Greatness ability lists what it affects (hit points, BAB, Fort saves). Caster level is not mentioned. As for the line about "the effect of spells such as sleep" does not mean the inspired character's caster level increases. Sleep is not dependent upon the caster's level but upon the hit dice of the creature the spell is cast upon (4 hit dice of creatures).

Exactly... but that's where Practised Spellcaster comes in.

Practised Spellcaster increases your caster level by up to +4, to a limit of your hit dice.

So a human Wizard 8 has a caster level of 8, and 8 hit dice; Practised Spellcaster increases his caster level by +0, up to the maximum of 8.

Then he takes a level of Rogue. He now has a caster level of 8, and 9 hit dice; Practised Spellcaster increases his caster level by +1, up to the maximum of 9.

Then the Bard Inspires Greatness on him. He now has a caster level of 8, and 11 hit dice (eight Wizard levels, one Rogue level, and two bonus hit dice); Practised Spellcaster increases his caster level by +3, up to the maximum of 11. The interaction of Practised Spellcaster with total hit dice is what makes the bonus hit dice increase his caster level. Without the feat, Inspire Greatness has no effect on caster level, as you point out.

He gradually takes a few more Rogue levels, becoming a Wiz8/Rog4. His caster level, thanks to Practised Spellcaster, is increased from 8 to 12, but since Practised Spellcaster has a limit of +4, Inspire Greatness will no longer increase his caster level by adding bonus hit dice.

-Hyp.