does hit point loss = damage

[WhimsyTheFae]

It's hard to avoid straining suspension of disbelief when a character survives 14 sniper rifle shots... Oh, well. If I want realism, I'll grab a shotgun and start shooting people.

Seriously, though, it's a fact that it's not realistic using any of the damage systems. You just have to pick which method of unrealism is right for you.

Agreed and agreed...I actually looked at it from a mechanics standpoint when making my decision, as opposed to a real vs. unreal (it just seemed so silly to be arguing about the realism of a game - and I have had my share of those discussions throughout the years). So, it came down to linear vs. nonlinear and I prefer nonlinear.

Now, where did I put that shotgun...

 

[Mercule]

HP loss always, always, always represents some form of physical damage. The actual damage varies, though. A 5 hp sword thrust to a 1st level wizard is a gaping chest or stomach wound. The same damage to a 20th level barbarian probably means he got knobbed with the pommel.

 

[I'm A Banana]

So in the world of poisons, a hit is actually making contact, not getting tired from dodging and parrying, and a hit which is not negated by DR is one which causes an injury.

Well, as far as what I do, hp damage can be a complete miss, but it doesn't HAVE to be. Quite obviously, damage that injects a poison is actual fleshy damage. It might not be much, but it'll be some. I just don't limit myself to ONLY describing hits as fleshy damage.

 

[Steel_Wind]

I can't think of a single good reason for that to be so. I mean, all hail Gygax and such, but why?

Because it is inherently impossible for a 4 foot tall dwarf to be capable of withstanding the same physical punishment as a 60 foot long 8 ton red dragon.

Hit points for a PC != Hit points for a monster in terms of what it represents. Never was.