D&D 5E The number after "Hit: X" in the bestiary?

[genotype]

Checking out 5e after playing 4e for a couple years (and I haven't played 4e in a while) I'm not understanding what the value is after "Hit:" in the bestiary, e.g.:

Melee Attack—Warhammer: +5 to hit (reach 5 ft.; one creature). Hit: 7 (1d10 + 2) bludgeoning damage.

In this case, Hit: 7. Is 7 supposed to be a median (or mean)? If so, how does that help? Can't find anything in the pdfs about this.

Thanks.

 

[Cybit]

the 7 is average damage (average on a d10 is 5.5, rounded down to 5, then +2, for a total of 7). It's for DMs who don't want to necessarily have to roll damage every time a creature hits.

 

[genotype]

It's for DMs who don't want to necessarily have to roll damage every time a creature hits.

I haven't DMed since 1e, is that a common practice? Going to try DMing Dragonspear.

 

[the Jester]

I haven't DMed since 1e, is that a common practice? Going to try DMing Dragonspear.

For the record, this was done in some tournament modules as far back as 1e, too. (I think some of the A modules, maybe Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan and a few other places had this noted as being "for use in tournament play".)

Anyway, I don't think it's common, exactly, but a fair number of groups have eliminated a lot of randomness/swinginess from their games. Average damage, average hps, point buy stat generation (instead of rolling), etc... all of these support a more "fair" playstyle (in that the vagaries of fate are less likely to strike you dead).

Personally, I prefer a lot more swing/randomness, but to each group their own.

 

[Cybit]

Not usually - but for instance, one of my groups is a group of younger kids (8-13), and I help them practice their math skills by using standard damage all the time; they can figure out how many hits the fighter has left, etc etc.

 

[the Jester]

Not usually - but for instance, one of my groups is a group of younger kids (8-13), and I help them practice their math skills by using standard damage all the time; they can figure out how many hits the fighter has left, etc etc.

That's awesome! I love D&D as a teaching tool.

I'd xp you, but apparently I need to spread it around some first.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

I haven't DMed since 1e, is that a common practice? Going to try DMing Dragonspear.

No, but it is becoming common practice. In 13th Age, monsters don't roll for damage at all, and for monsters I build for my 4e game, I give monsters average damage, figuring at some point the game will be pretty complex and I can skip a step by taking average damage. The "trick" of rolling multiple d20s (for an AoE attack) along with the damage dice starts to take time if the monster is a solo that can do that several times per round.

It's not much different than 3rd Ed monster manuals giving monsters average hit points. The game is more complex than its predecessor and takes more time to play, so here's a way to shave off some time.

Not usually - but for instance, one of my groups is a group of younger kids (8-13), and I help them practice their math skills by using standard damage all the time; they can figure out how many hits the fighter has left, etc etc.

I learned statistics from playing Advanced Fighting Fantasy. To this day it's the only thing I can do easily in math beyond the times table.

 

[GX.Sigma]

I haven't DMed since 1e, is that a common practice? Going to try DMing Dragonspear.

It's how I usually do it. It makes large numbers of attacks go quicker. If there's 10 orcs, all I need to do is grab 10d20 and drop them all on the table.

 

[genotype]

Yeah I think I'd prefer the rolling as well. Thanks guys.

 

[genotype]

If there's 10 orcs, all I need to do is grab 10d20 and drop them all on the table.

In that respect it sounds more like 40k or WHFB, rolling huge handfuls of d6s on the charge and picking out the 4+ (or whatever). I could get behind that.