What happens to Thundarr's hit points post-rage?

[Malvoisin]

I suppose this may be a very elementary question, but I just can't quite wrap my brain around it so...

If a barbarian is in a rage (and thus gains some extra hit points, due to the CON increase), and takes damage, what happens with that damage when the rage ends and the extra hit points go away?

I'll use this example, just as an abstract.

Thundarr has 40 hit points normally, but when he rages he goes up to 50 hp. While raging, he takes 20 points of damage (putting him at 30/50). So, when the rage ends, does he have 20/40 hp or 30/40? Thanks!

 

[Magesmiley]

Always compare your damage vs your HP to determine when you go unconscious or die. So in your case you have 20/40.

 

[Henry]

Magesmiley is correct -- treat it the same way as CON loss, rather than temporary hit points. So yes, a Barbarian that gets knocked to -9 WILL die of his wounds when his rage ends.

 

[Malvoisin]

That's what I needed to know!

Thanks for the quick replies guys!

 

[Bad Paper]

in the long run, here is the easy way:

At any time, your PC has three appropriate hit-point numbers:
A) max hit points
B) current damage
C) current nonlethal/subdual damage

If, at any time, B+C is equal to A, then your PC is staggered. If B+C is higher than A, then your PC is in trouble. :\

Constitution effects (e.g. going into or out of a rage, Bear's Endurance, etc.) affect A.

Hit-point healing and damage effects (curing, weapons, etc.) affect B and/or C.

I have played and DMed a lot of barbarians, buffers, de-buffers, et al., and lemme say this: if you're playing a barbarian, you would do best to keep track of A and B separately (C is rare, but be prepared to handle it). Do not simply add twice your level in hit points when you go into a rage, and then subtract them later. When poison, negative levels, spells, and undead show up, you'll be tearing your hair out trying to keep track.

 

[Victim]

Really, I think it's easier just to total damage rather than subtracting from HP, especially with barbarians.

 

[moritheil]

Or . . . you could just subtract the hit points you added when rage began.

 

[frankthedm]

What happens to Thundarr's hit points post-rage?

They ride the Valhalla Express. Thundars often catch the Oops Caboose, the car reserved for barbarians who die due to HP calculation surprises and errors.

 

[Hypersmurf]

At any time, your PC has three appropriate hit-point numbers:
A) max hit points
B) current damage
C) current nonlethal/subdual damage

And of course D) temporary hit points.

Or, per the FAQ:
D1) temporary hit points in the False Life pool
D2) temporary hit points in the Aid pool
D3) temporary hit points in the Vampiric Touch pool
D4) ...

-Hyp.

 

[Seeten]

My Half-Orc Barbarian had 71 hp (at level 8), 87 when raging. Last fight he ever engaged in, he was at 4 hp when his rage ended.

Then I rolled up my Paladin.