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Message: <blockquote data-quote="The Crimson Binome" data-source="post: 7206305" data-attributes="member: 6775031">Of course, critical hits weren't promoted to core rule until 3E, alongside crit ranges and crit multipliers. It was entirely an optional rule in 2E, and I know that Gygax in particular argued against their inclusion for much the reason you state. For as long as they've existed in the core rules, they were balanced by the 3E-era HP inflation.As for the topic at hand, I am strongly against the inflation of Hit Points, because it reduces the consequences of getting hit. If it takes you three fireballs or a dozen arrows before you drop, then that makes it hard to care about getting hit by a fireball or an arrow, and that leads to a weird narrative. It should never be okay to get shot. I mean, you should be prepared for it to happen, but it should be a terrible thing that you try to avoid if at all possible. Just starting with maximum HP at first level, and gaining a new die at every level, should be enough to make characters reasonably survivable without letting them ignore hits entirely. Of course, the issue is compounded by the ludicrous natural healing rate in 4E and 5E, where you can take in excess of your full maximum HP in damage every day without ever slowing down.</blockquote>