Why Not Just Call Them Stamina Points?

[KarinsDad]

It's pretty obvious if one carefully reads what is in the 1E through 3E rules that hit points in those games were a combination of actual damage (e.g. the Massive Damage rule) and the ability to deflect serious damage into minor damage.

In 4E, hit points are really a type of defensive stamina. The PC is not really injured after getting hit by a sword multiple times, rather he is working his butt off blocking and ducking those devastating blows. When he runs out of the ability to do this, he gets hit with a shot that either knocks him unconscious or kills him. When he uses Second Wind, he is not healing himself, he is going to the well. As he goes up in levels, he is able to maintain that defense longer against earlier weaker opponents, but for less time against stronger opponents.

Bloodied in 4E is really a type of tired.


This is what the "4E hit points are not actual damage" rational boils down to.

So, why not call Hit Points, Stamina Points (or some other similar name like Fatigue Points)? Why not call Bloodied, Tired? Why use the Sacred Cow name of hit points?

If they are not ever actual damage due to getting hit, why use words like Hit and Bloodied?

 

[HP Dreadnought]

Makes sense to me. Before the 4E rumors came out I was actually working on a Stamina system where you got all your hit points back at the end of every fight unless you got down to less than your con, or went negative.

I think they retain the name Hit Points just because its so integral to D&D. That's one sacred cow that just can't be slaughtered without an uprising by the player base.

Its just a name though. . . they've gone to a stamina system and that is good IMO.

 

[Jack99]

So, why not call Hit Points, Stamina Points (or some other similar name like Fatigue Points)? Why not call Bloodied, Tired? Why use the Sacred Cow name of hit points?

Because "Hit Points" are one of the bigger sacred cows, and if they removed/changed it drastically, I believe that they think they would get in very big trouble with a lot of players.

 

[Cam Banks]

I had this same problem with Star Wars prior to the Saga Edition.

If it's supposed to represent deflecting a blow, getting out of the way, or otherwise being defensive, what's AC and Defenses for? Why isn't Dexterity part of the hit point equation?

It's hard to represent in the course of the game, too. "The orc rolls a 16 against your AC 17. His swing misses! The other orc rolls a 18, so he hits! But, um, he doesn't really, because you dodge at the last minute. 12 hit points. Oh, you're Bloodied? Well, uh, that's kind of winded, you know? Oh, whatever."

Cheers,
Cam

 

[KarinsDad]

Because "Hit Points" are one of the bigger sacred cows, and if they removed/changed it drastically, I believe that they think they would get in very big trouble with a lot of players.

But, that is what they have done. They have changed it fairly drastically, or at least for some people.

 

[hexgrid]

They're already not called "wound points," so I don't see the reason for a name change.

 

[Salvation]

So, why not call Hit Points, Stamina Points (or some other similar name like Fatigue Points)? Why not call Bloodied, Tired?

I think that's an good idea. Perhaps i will introduce the 4th edition Hit Points as Stamina Points to my players.

 

[WanderingMonster]

It's pretty obvious if one carefully reads what is in the 1E through 3E rules that hit points in those games were a combination of actual damage (e.g. the Massive Damage rule) and the ability to deflect serious damage into minor damage.

In 4E, hit points are really a type of defensive stamina. The PC is not really injured after getting hit by a sword multiple times, rather he is working his butt off blocking and ducking those devastating blows. When he runs out of the ability to do this, he gets hit with a shot that either knocks him unconscious or kills him. When he uses Second Wind, he is not healing himself, he is going to the well. As he goes up in levels, he is able to maintain that defense longer against earlier weaker opponents, but for less time against stronger opponents.

Bloodied in 4E is really a type of tired.


This is what the "4E hit points are not actual damage" rational boils down to.

So, why not call Hit Points, Stamina Points (or some other similar name like Fatigue Points)? Why not call Bloodied, Tired? Why use the Sacred Cow name of hit points?

If they are not ever actual damage due to getting hit, why use words like Hit and Bloodied?

Because I seriously doubt that most players (outside ENWorld posters) really overanalyze the semantics. Designers might believe--and rightly so--that the player of a fighter would rather survive being "bloodied" than "tired". That taking 25 hit points of damage sounds sexier than losing 25 points of stamina. Heck, why not call "death", "sleep". Or maybe "dying", "nodding off"?

I think on the scale of Problems People Have With 4e, this probably amounts to a pet peeve. My vote: don't stop the presses.

 

[Jack99]

But, that is what they have done. They have changed it fairly drastically, or at least for some people.

Yes, that they did. But let me clarify. They have made some changes. I am guessing, that between 1 and 10% feel very strongly about the "change" in the HP system. Now, granted, that number could be higher, but I am sure you will agree that from what we can see on the boards, those people are still part of a minority.

But, if they had made the change that you suggest, and called hit points something else, there would have been a nerd-rage like never before against them.

 

[Elphilm]

I think it would not be out of line to suggest that Bloodied marks a condition where first blood has been drawn. The wound need not be a large gash, simply a cut or a nick that nevertheless causes the tactics of both the attacker and the defender to shift. You see this all the time in both books and movies. I am particularly reminded of the first fight between Corwin and Eric in Zelazny's Nine Princes in Amber. Corwin wounds Eric on his right wrist, which causes Eric to shift to a more defensive fighting style. However, Corwin's taunts get through to Eric because of the wound.

On a related note, it might be fun if poisons and similar debilitating substances worked only if the attack brings the defender down to Bloodied, or if the defender is already Bloodied.