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

[Laurefindel]

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

Figuratively speaking, yes, that’s what hit points are.

 

[Guest 7042500]

In CHAINMAIL a Hero takes 4 hits in one turn to kill. All weapons do 1 hit.

In D&D he thought it would be more interesting to have some variability so weapons did 1 d 6 of damage and a Hero got 4 d 6 worth of hit points.

And that's all there was to it. And yes, I was there.

 

[Maxperson]

Hit Points are a measure of how much the DM loves you.
Mystery solved.

I thought hit points were the XP you got when you assassinated something.

 

[not-so-newguy]

I thought hit points were the XP you got when you assassinated something.

We all express our love differently. Tomato, tomAHto.