Do you roll monster/NPC hit points?

[Haltherrion]

I play 4E now so no rolling for monster HP there. But even before 4E while I might vary the creatures hit points around average, I wouldn't roll it. I think that achieves the same effects as rolling as far as the players are concerned with a lot less time

I don't usually customize gear any more or otherwise give them personality other than what may come through from the figure I use for the creature. I should do that more often though so thanks for the reminder. Having an orc with a lock of white hair or a nightmare with a horseshoe on one hoof are interesting touches.

Even in 4E, I will often adjust craeture hitpoints, usually downward to speed things up.

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

Rather than averages, I take the whole number higher than Hit Die average, then multiply by the Hit Dice total.

1d6 = 4
1d8 = 5
1d10 = 6
1d12 = 7

Then I'm not dealing with rounding off a .5 of a hit point with odd number Hit Dice. And I can do this pretty much in my head.

I use Trailblazer's Elite and Solo rules when I want significantly more memorable or challenging fights

 

[SnowleopardVK]

I tend to roll the hit points and stats for as many monsters as there are, and then decide which monster gets which results after that.

So if there are 6 Goblins I'll roll for those 6 Goblins, and then assign the best HP to the ones at the front with the swords and such. The worst rolls go to, for example, the Goblin in the back with the bow.

I only use the averaging method when I have to improvise. If I wasn't prepared before the session for a certain encounter then I'll use the averages.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Not as often as I expected.... For OD&D, 1e and 2e I rolled, and I thought that I would do the same for 3.X. Instead I either use the average or I fudge up or down, depending on how much of a challenge I want a critter to be.

A bunch of warrior kobolds? 3 or 4 HP per die. A dragon? Near full.

The Auld Grump