HP calculation for solo monsters?

[doublewumpus]

Hey guys, just got a message from [MENTION=33291]Kelvor Ravenstar[/MENTION] that the solo monster HP calculations in power2ool aren't correct. This is the formula that I use:

HP_solo = alpha * (8 * (level + 1) + con)

where alpha = 4 if level < 11 and 5 otherwise.

I can't find any errata mentioning a change to solo HP calculations, although I did find a discussion here. Is there a new, generally-accepted calculation?

PS: If there was a way to calculate solo HP without involving CON, that would be really great. It's easy for me to add to my formula, but confusing for users who probably forgot to specify sane ability scores. It also complicates level-adjustment calculations, since you have to take into account what the CON is going to be after the level adjustment.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

The new solo hp calculations (always x4) have actually been errata'd for DMG1, so it's not just the generally-accepted calculation, it's the proper one.

As for Con, you don't have to be exact.

 

[doublewumpus]

The DMG errata mentions adjusting elite HP, but nothing about solos.

Are you suggesting the following?

HP_standard = (6 or 8 or 10)*(level + 1) + CON
HP_elite = 2*HP_standard
HP_solo = 4*HP_standard

 

[Kelvor Ravenstar]

I don't think its in the Errata for DMG 1, because the changes was published in DMG 2 (one of the sorta stealth-Errata changes). Since MM2, all solos have been published with just quadruple hit points.

For a reference, see DMG 2, page 133.

Creating New Solos
The creation of solo monsters has changed in three major ways.
Hit Points: Multiply hit points by 4. Monsters of 11th level or higher no longer have quintuple hit points. ...

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

Yeah, it was included in the DMG2's revisions and extensions to monster construction guidelines. All solos are now x4 and that has been implemented in standard stat blocks starting with MM2 IIRC. I think that was also when they did away with defense boosts for elite and solo monsters.

 

[doublewumpus]

Awesome, thanks guys!

 

[MatthewJHanson]

I believe that starting in Threat to Netir Vale, solo brutes now get more hp than other solos. (10 in the formula instead of 8).

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

That's not new. Brutes always get 10 hp/level, and artillery and lurkers always get 6 hp/level.

 

[Xyrlove Woodsoul]

Not always. The Silt Horror from the Dark Sun CC is a 12 level solo lurker with a Con of 20, 496 hp, which works out to be 8hp/level. I can't remember the others off the top of my head, but I noticed a few other solo lurkers like that too.

 

[MatthewJHanson]

That's not new. Brutes always get 10 hp/level, and artillery and lurkers always get 6 hp/level.

For standard monsters yest, but it used to be that all solos had 8hp/level. I believe artillery and lurkers solos still get that.