Monsters left on 1HP?

[Aberzanzorax]

I'm no math major, but isn't it mathematically likely that monsters will end up at 1hp more often than most other numbers?

I mean, the goal is to cross that threshold to 0. People don't stop at 10, of course, that'd be silly. They don't continue doing damage below 1 in most cases, either. So you have a math problem where you start with a number (any number) and then randomly subtract various amounts until you get to 0 or below.

So I'm thinking that since the goal is to cross the threshold of 1 to 0 and below, that it'd be mathematically likely to hit 1 more often than most other numbers (with 2 somewhat likely-because you could still do 1 damage-, 3 slightly less-because you could do 1 or 2 damage-, and then tapering off as the numbers get higher.)



Math experts out there...does this make sense, or am I spouting a lot of hooey?

 

[SnowleopardVK]

I'm no math major, but isn't it mathematically likely that monsters will end up at 1hp more often than most other numbers?

I mean, the goal is to cross that threshold to 0. People don't stop at 10, of course, that'd be silly. They don't continue doing damage below 1 in most cases, either. So you have a math problem where you start with a number (any number) and then randomly subtract various amounts until you get to 0 or below.

So I'm thinking that since the goal is to cross the threshold of 1 to 0 and below, that it'd be mathematically likely to hit 1 more often than most other numbers (with 2 somewhat likely-because you could still do 1 damage-, 3 slightly less-because you could do 1 or 2 damage-, and then tapering off as the numbers get higher.)



Math experts out there...does this make sense, or am I spouting a lot of hooey?

It makes sense assuming you're rolling only one die for damage I believe.

Not that I'm a math expert. I'm actually pretty bad at it.

 

[Treebore]

I'm more perplexed by how often they end up at -4.

 

[Aberzanzorax]

It makes sense assuming you're rolling only one die for damage I believe.

Not that I'm a math expert. I'm actually pretty bad at it.

My math "guess" makes sense even if using more than one die or having a "plus" to damage...but it gets spread out.

Two dice could complicate it more than ading a plus because the most common roll on 2d6 is 7...so you have to throw in a normal curve with 7 as the center on that, so far as I know.

But let's say everyone in the party gets a +1 to damage buff with one die. Then, at least for my somewhat unclear understanding is that the limitation would be 1 and 2 would have the probablity that 1 did, 3 and 4 would have the probability that 2 did, etc, etc.


So, and this is all from someone with a more basic understanding of math, and not an expert in probability or statistics, and I'd love to hear from someone who is...but I THINK it works.

 

[Is_907]

I think you misunderstand my post. I didn't post it as a problem to be solved, more as a curiosity whether the same experiences were held by any one else.

I think you can surmise from the responses of problem-solving and adaptation that this is, in fact, a common occurrence.

 

[Dice4Hire]

Yes, it happens to my group a lot. I think it happens to most groups but some DMs might not tell the party about it.

 

[Aberzanzorax]

I posted my question about probability on a math forum here:

http://www.mathhelpforum.com/math-h...umbers-positive-number-183631.html#post662676

I'll post the relevant answer if/when I receive one.

 

[DragonLancer]

Good idea. Maybe they can explain this phenomena.