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<blockquote data-quote="slobo777" data-source="post: 5933693" data-attributes="member: 6694877">Things that are added to hit points that have nothing to do with Con:1) They are in many editions, a random total, presumably representing some kind of long-term fate or luck. Must say I don't like this - a bit of bad luck just once in the game influences far too many hours of play.2) They increase dramatically with experience. I guess this represents skill, rather than tough fighters gaining leather-like skin, or onion layers.3) Amounts that are gained are assigned by &quot;class&quot;, representing relative combat skill (but possibly ignoring that a wizard might be more durable versus mental assault).For most characters, the proportion assigned according to class and by experience is larger than the Con bonus effect.There are arguments for adding any or all stat bonuses to hit points (e.g. smarts allow you to intelligently deflect blows). I think that toughness/durability simply wins as the best to use for that part of the system, and gives the right &quot;feel&quot; for what Con is about. All the other possible stats modifiers are bundled into your class die and level of experience, and hand-waved.As a game design, it's nice to have stats contribute directly and simply to something that &quot;feels&quot; right, and not sweat the details too much. Dex to AC as a dodge bonus equally feels right. It's an either-or situation for the sake of simplicity (we actually have to play this game!)Taking it to logical extremes doesn't make sense. It's only a game, and the mechanics are in fact a very poor representation of what would happen in any &quot;realistic&quot; combat. From wearing down hit points to damage types to hits and misses, it's all complete shenanigans in the name of entertainment.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="slobo777, post: 5933693, member: 6694877"] Things that are added to hit points that have nothing to do with Con: 1) They are in many editions, a random total, presumably representing some kind of long-term fate or luck. Must say I don't like this - a bit of bad luck just once in the game influences far too many hours of play. 2) They increase dramatically with experience. I guess this represents skill, rather than tough fighters gaining leather-like skin, or onion layers. 3) Amounts that are gained are assigned by "class", representing relative combat skill (but possibly ignoring that a wizard might be more durable versus mental assault). For most characters, the proportion assigned according to class and by experience is larger than the Con bonus effect. There are arguments for adding any or all stat bonuses to hit points (e.g. smarts allow you to intelligently deflect blows). I think that toughness/durability simply wins as the [I]best[/I] to use for that part of the system, and gives the right "feel" for what Con is about. All the other possible stats modifiers are bundled into your class die and level of experience, and hand-waved. As a game design, it's nice to have stats contribute directly and simply to something that "feels" right, and not sweat the details too much. Dex to AC as a dodge bonus equally feels right. It's an either-or situation for the sake of simplicity (we actually have to play this game!) Taking it to logical extremes doesn't make sense. It's only a game, and the mechanics are in fact a very poor representation of what would happen in any "realistic" combat. From wearing down hit points to damage types to hits and misses, it's all complete shenanigans in the name of entertainment. [/QUOTE]

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