How do you determine hitpoints?

[sniffles]

We usually take max HP at first level. After that we take what we roll, although some GMs I play with allow players to reroll 1s.

I personally like the idea of using Con score for 1st-level HP, but I've never used it in practice.

 

[Kid Socrates]

Max HP all the way!

I run a Final Fantasy game, and with the sheer power of spells being tossed around, every little bit helps. It's had no complaints, despite my summoner having a d6 hit die and no Con modifier, and the swordsman having a d10 and a +2 or +3.

It means that I can be a little more haphazard with monster strength, too, which in turn makes the combats more fun for us.

 

[MonsterMash]

Max at first level for PCs - reduce the odds on dying a bit, subsequent levels roll (reroll allowed on first time a one comes up - if it comes up one again that's what you get)

 

[Psion]

Max first, then average.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Player option: Roll, or take mean hp (rounded up). Most players have taken the mean (which is admittedly a no-brainer if you have a d4 HD).

 

[haakon1]

We usually take max HP at first level. After that we take what we roll, although some GMs I play with allow players to reroll 1s.

Similar to my practice -- max at first level, roll it after that, reroll 1's. So 2, like in cards, is the worst.

 

[Steel_Wind]

Max at first level, roll it thereafter; however, after a similar thread on ENwolrd a few months back one fellow posted that he as DM also rolled.

The player could take their own roll - or without knowing the roll of the DM - take the DMs roll.

I liked this method as it requires players to roll hit points in front of the DM without it seeming like it's a "cheat control" mechanism, while at the same time provides an out for a sucky roll.

I've adopted this as my house rule.

 

[Greylock]

At first level, everyone gets the maximum possible hit points. At subsequent levels it's the usual random roll with one house rule - if you roll a 1 you get to re-roll and take whatever the next roll is, even if it's another 1.

Have I said "Thank you" yet this week? If not, then thanks.

My 6th level cleric with two zero hit point substitution levels and a +1 Con bonus is averaging better hit points per level than my 7th level fighter with the +3 Con bonus in the last game we played together.

Goodness knows, I love Mark and he was a great DM, but blowing 6 hit point rolls in a row plain sucked. If it weren't for the max at level one, Aneirin would have been a cupcake.

 

[ZuulMoG]

1st level is always max, roll all levels thereafter, RAW.

Never had a problem with it yet. PCs are already too powerful.

 

[Greylock]

1st level is always max, roll all levels thereafter, RAW.

Never had a problem with it yet. PCs are already too powerful.

See my note above:

Low magick world, no weapon better than masterwork, going through the world with base abilities and little more, one divine caster in the party who doesn't mess much with buffs...

And this one PC consistently has fewer HP per CL than the critters. They get average by default. And then make this guy your tank.

Problems.

He could smack down the best of them, but throw snot at this pc and he's dead.