D&D 4E Should hit points continue to be generated randomly in 4e?

[FireLance]

What are the arguments for continuing to generate hit points randomly? This includes systems where the hit points you get are a mixture of fixed and random components, e.g. d4+4 for a d8 hit die.

What are the arguments for completely changing over to a fixed rate of hit point gain per level?

 

[Branduil]

Well, 3e has an optional rule for fixed hit points.

Honestly I don't see any good reason to keep random hit points. It can only hurt game balance. I guess the argument for it is so that "not every character is the same," but, if hit points are what you're using to differentiate characters something is wrong.

 

[Aus_Snow]

Streamlining.
Guaranteed balance and proper scaling.

 

[Glyfair]

Honestly I don't see any good reason to keep random hit points.

People want it. Given a choice, most people will take it.

It's not as bad a random attributes (with a loud and vocal crowd supporting them), but it's wanted.

Right now there is no reason you can't use it, so I see no need to remove it when a lot of people want it.

 

[Mouseferatu]

I'd prefer it be random, but I'd like it to be less random. You know, fighters don't get 1d10, but 1d6+4, or something.

 

[Glyfair]

I'd prefer it be random, but I'd like it to be less random. You know, fighters don't get 1d10, but 1d6+4, or something.

I forget which WotC was attached to this, but I use that method in my game.

 

[WhatGravitas]

I've seen many people who like random hit points, because it makes levelling up more... dunno... of an event? But my group likes it and cheers after a good roll... and bad rolls are simply accepted.

Personally, I'm on the fence and don't mind either way. But if they keep the rolled, I'd like to see some dY + Y variant, to avoid making your character unplayable, and also to differentiate the classes more (because rolling a 1 with a Barbarian makes him... less Barbarian-like!).

Cheers, LT.

 

[Crymson]

I prefer random. The game would start being too cookie-cutter if random hit points (and random ability scores) were taken out.

 

[Szatany]

Streamlining.
Guaranteed balance and proper scaling.

What he said.

 

[Victim]

We don't roll to see if characters get their other class features.

"Curses, my wizard rolled like crap on his magic ability again this level - now he's 6th level and only caster level 3." "No, those rolls for my Base Attack are totally legit. I know it averages to 1 per level, but I got lucky."