races & hp; what do people think of a more...well, real/logical approach to HP?

[Aust Diamondew]

I do not like this idea. I think this is what the constitution score is for.

In my experience it isn't best to overthink hit points.

now, lets say, somehow the whale became a wizard! if it is so tough; and as it grows, it get tougher, why would it being 'taught' something, make it weaker? (Let's say dropping it's HD from 3d10/level example, to 1d4? )

By that logic it shouldn't loose BAB or good fortitude and reflex saves either.

 

[Tequila Sunrise]

I know someone who uses pretty much this very rule, and I'll tell you exactly what I told him: I'd probably enjoy your game, but I'd never play anything but a dwarf!

 

[Thundershield]

I know someone who uses pretty much this very rule, and I'll tell you exactly what I told him: I'd probably enjoy your game, but I'd never play anything but a dwarf!

And that is exactly why house rules need to be thought over twice. You might have this noble goal with introducing this new house rule you just came up with, be it simulating realism or making a class more desirable or creating a certain theme in your game or who knows what, but you also need to consider the ramifications of such a house rule.

You want to give Dwarves a d12 HD regardless of class? Sure, you can do that. What will happen? Lots of players will start playing Dwarves instead to ramp up their HP. Did this house rule do its job (e.i. create more realism)? Considering at least half the world is suddenly populated by Dwarves, and Halfling and Gnomes are basically extinct - no, it didn't. If you wanted to make Dwarves an even more popular choice of race for Players, then it did the trick. I can't, however, see why you'd want to do that.

Anyway, what I want to say is that while "realism" is a noble goal and all in RPG context, it's not something you attain by creating "logical" or "complex" house rules, but rather by encouraging it in your group with whatever forms of motivation you feel most comfortable with, be it situational rewards or mutual enjoyment.

 

[Zustiur]

should be based more on race than class?

No thanks, I'd rather play DnD.

This is most definitely one of those 'sacred cows'.

Zustiur.

 

[monboesen]

Nope, that is not a good rule.

An alternative that I would be supportive of is handing out bonus HP due to size. 3.5 already does so for Constructs and the principle would work fine IMO for all kinds of creatures.

 

[Nifft]

In my current game, PCs don't get full HP at 1st level. They roll the usual die for their class.

However, they get a one-time 1st level HP boost based on their race:
- Halfling: 4 hp
- Elf: 6 hp
- Human, Dwarf, Half-Elf: 8 hp
- Half-Orc, Aasimar, Tiefling: 10 hp

The idea is: at 1st level, you're more a Dwarf than you are a Wizard. By 20th level, your Wizardness has become far more important than your Dwarfness.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Jhaelen]

You want to give Dwarves a d12 HD regardless of class? Sure, you can do that. What will happen? Lots of players will start playing Dwarves instead to ramp up their HP.

Yup, that's what will happen - unless you add something that balances their advantage of having the highest HD.

Imho, the Earthdawn rpg managed to pull it off (though races only affect the base hp, later on the chosen class determines how many additional hp you get). Basically, they use action/luck points to balance the races:
Tiny windlings get lots of them and have the highest karma die, Large trolls get the smallest amount and use the lowest die.

 

[Goose]

In my current game, PCs don't get full HP at 1st level. They roll the usual die for their class.

However, they get a one-time 1st level HP boost based on their race:
- Halfling: 4 hp
- Elf: 6 hp
- Human, Dwarf, Half-Elf: 8 hp
- Half-Orc, Aasimar, Tiefling: 10 hp

The idea is: at 1st level, you're more a Dwarf than you are a Wizard. By 20th level, your Wizardness has become far more important than your Dwarfness.

Cheers, -- N

I think thats actually a pretty good idea

 

[cwhs01]

In my current game, PCs don't get full HP at 1st level. They roll the usual die for their class.

However, they get a one-time 1st level HP boost based on their race:
- Halfling: 4 hp
- Elf: 6 hp
- Human, Dwarf, Half-Elf: 8 hp
- Half-Orc, Aasimar, Tiefling: 10 hp

The idea is: at 1st level, you're more a Dwarf than you are a Wizard. By 20th level, your Wizardness has become far more important than your Dwarfness.

Cheers, -- N

This is a limited version of the OP´s rule sugestion. It also still favors some races, making some suboptimal compared to others. If your players don't care about this, and only think of flavour issues, cool (playing a disgruntled world veary halfling ex-sherif, instead of a dito human?). But it might have the effect of limiting the number of halflings seen in your campaign, unless they are somehow compensated (extra skillpoints or a bonus feat?). The difference between halfling and halforc is twice the hp boost from the Toughness feat, so presumably worth at least one feat.


Also, i don't think the HP rule is a divine bovine or taboo. Tinkering with it is fine and fun, so long as any changes don't result in obviously "good" or "subpar" choices.

 

[Nifft]

This is a limited version of the OP´s rule sugestion.

I could have sworn it was original when I did it four years ago. Oh well, credit where credit is due!

It also still favors some races, making some suboptimal compared to others. If your players don't care about this, and only think of flavour issues, cool (playing a disgruntled world veary halfling ex-sherif, instead of a dito human?).

Think of it more as compensation for the races that suck right now, like Half-Orcs.

Most characters will have more HP than they would under the usual rules, so it's mostly a bonus. (And no, you don't get a free feat just because someone else got a bigger bonus.)

Halflings have always been superior Druids and Wizards. This change does nothing to impair that. It does mean half-orc barbarians are tougher than halfling barbarians at 1st level. Do you think this is a bad thing?

Cheers, -- N

PS: Also, this particular rule has seen some playtesting.