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

[Olgar Shiverstone]

I think both fixed and rolled HP should remain in the game as options.

 

[Jedi_Solo]

-- because players seem to roll remarkably high...

What dice are your players using? I need to get me a set of those.

I voted non-random. If a PC rolls really poorly multiple levels in a row they are out a major rescource for the rest of their (now likely shortened) career.

I wouldn't mind the 50-50 split suggested above, but I still vote an outright "no".

 

[Gentlegamer]

By the way, REAL MEN roll for hit points.

 

[Mouseferatu]

By the way, REAL MEN roll for hit points.

Neo: Are you saying that I'll be able to roll higher hit points?

Morpheus: No. I'm saying that, when you truly understand 4E, you won't have to.

 

[KingCrab]

Attributes should be point buy, hp should be determined. There's enough random chance in each encounter.

 

[The Human Target]

Attributes should be point buy, hp should be determined. There's enough random chance in each encounter.

I guess there are people who think thats sissy talk.

Very wrong people.

The next time I run a game I'm going to make players roll to see if they even get to roll up a character!

 

[Grog]

Everybody seems into non-random stats, hp and even substituting 2d10 for the D20 these days. So here's my innovation:

Diceless D&D, a.k.a. the T10 System (Take 10 System).

Right. Because that is the logical extension of doing away with random hit points.

 

[McBard]

Rolling for hit points in 3.5 RAW essentially means most people are randomly determining whether they receive a virtual free feat or not every level: toughness (e.g. the cleric who rolled an 8 versus the fighter who rolled a 5: cleric receives toughness for free).

Moreover, every other element of character improvement is fixed: base attack, saves progressions, spell slots etc--so, hit points should be fixed in the 4.0 RAW.

 

[RFisher]

I have no compelling argument for choosing one over the other. Given the heritage of the D&D name, therefore, I would go with rolling with an optional fixed rule.

 

[Lanefan]

Random roll all the way.

As for other abilities, if there was a way to somewhat randomize those too, I would. For example, instead of having it always guaranteed you get x skill points per level, put a small randomizer on it - if you'd normally get 6 skill points per level, maybe make it 4 + d3.

Same for spell ability. The slot system is *very* hard to randomize but a spell point system sure isn't...you'd roll for spell points each level just like hit points. Up to the DM, I suppose, how much of the s.p. gain would be fixed and how much random...

PEOPLE ARE NOT ALL THE SAME! Characters that abstractly represent people shouldn't be, either.

And if there's a problem with suspect rolls or cheating, make your players roll such things out on the table where everyone can see.

Lane-"roll the bones"-fan