D&D General Finally, a real explanation of HP!

[Micah Sweet]

HP are “no” points. DM says “the orc kills you”, you say “no”.

DM says “the orc really want you dead” with 9 “I-want-to-kill-you” points. As long as you answer with 9 “no-I-wont’t-die” points, the orc doesn’t kill you.

If the orc wants you more dead than your ability to say no, you die.

Simple

Way to take the narrative completely out of the equation.

 

[Laurefindel]

Way to take the narrative completely out of the equation.

I prefer to see it as a way to include any narrative you want.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I prefer to see it as a way to include any narrative you want.

See, to me that just makes none of them matter, because you can slot in anything interchangeably.

 

[Guest 7042500]

That is how hit points were designed. Hit points came first, narrative much later.

There are many other wonderful games that do it differently.

 

[UngainlyTitan]

My favourite take on hit points comes from the WarSpell:The Merge series of books by Gorg Huff and Paula Goodlet. It is a series based on the premise that D&D game style magic became real.
In it, levels and hit points are where souls in danger manipulate the magic field to increase their chances of survival in dangerous situations.
Success gains levels and hit points.

 

[Micah Sweet]

That is how hit points were designed. Hit points came first, narrative much later.

There are many other wonderful games that do it differently.

I would be happier with hit points if it actually mattered when you go to 0. Fortunately, my preferred version of D&D fixes this.

 

[Minigiant]

HP are “no” points. DM says “the orc kills you”, you say “no”.

DM says “the orc really wants you dead” with 9 “I-want-to-kill-you” points. As long as you answer with 9 “no-I-won’t-die” points, the orc doesn’t kill you.

If the orc wants you more dead than your ability to say no, you die.

Simple

Edit: grammar

Basically "Nuh uh" points like the playground.

"Bang. I shot you."
"Nuh uh. You hit my medal"
"Bang. Got you again"
"Nuh uh. I dodges. Like this." (dives)

0 HP is when you have to admit you got hit or the DM tells on you for cheating.

"MOOOOOOOOOOM!! Johnny's cheating!"

 

[Ondath]

From 1287 Play the Hits - Giant in the Playground Games

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Oh, I missed the new comic! I guess the Giant really meant it when he said he was going back to an early episode feel.

 

[Stormonu]

HP are “no” points. DM says “the orc kills you”, you say “no”.

DM says “the orc really wants you dead” with 9 “I-want-to-kill-you” points. As long as you answer with 9 “no-I-won’t-die” points, the orc doesn’t kill you.

If the orc wants you more dead than your ability to say no, you die.

Simple

Edit: grammar

So combat is a bunch "I hit you!" "nuh-uh" "uh-huh" till someone gives in?

 

[Guest 7042500]

Hit points are hit points. They stand for hit points, they represent hit points, they signify hit points.

Trying to make them something else in D&D will simply break your heart.