Over time, it trends toward giving PC's average hit points for the dice type. It's good for evening out those (un)lucky rolls, so it is a matter of perspective and what you have rolled already for hit points.
When rerolling hit points every level we have always taken the new result only if it was better. I use this as a the standard way to generate hit points every level. Allowing them to lose hit points when they level is a penalty. When playing holmes above 3rd, if mot gaining new hit dice, you can reroll hp on a new level to simulate a more heroic stature without going crazy on hd.
Could re-rolling and taking the new result really give you an edge? Isn't it the same HD, just either spread over time, or done in a chunk? I don't have the math in my head to quickly run the numbers, but I can't see how when you roll is going to result in better numbers. [Obviously, re-rolling and taking the new total only if it is better will get you better results — but when you're making the rolls won't tend to give you better or worse results inherently.]
One way to measure 'growth' through better rolls upon gaining a level is to keep track of the individual die rolls each level, but that is a pain for some players, as it would be for me too. But this method implies that you re-roll each previous roll. If that roll isn't better than the previous, you won't gain much, except for the roll for the newly acquired level - that roll will add to the total.
Say you have a 5th level fighter (d8 HD type) gain a level and is now 6th. His HD rolls were, in order of level: (8), (6), (5), (4), (3) + 1 roll for 6th: (3). He re-rolls each die individually, so statistically, you can't improve on the 8, and need to roll higher for the other dice. (Not taking into account any bonuses for high Constitution...)
The benefit is that at every level, you have a chance to improve on the previous die rolls, not only gaining a few points at your current level.
However, if your group or referee isn't going to be bothered to track each level's die rolls, then this method isn't going to see as much noticeable gain for the characters.
If used this rule should be applied to NPCs as well, which means most high level ones will have high hit points. Rolling up an 8th level fighter would mean rolling for hit points eight times and taking the highest total.
I hadn't thought of the implied rules toward NPCs or monsters. However, I will have a bit of time on Sunday to search for a bell curve template based on the number of times dice are rolled per level, etc. I'm not completely sure how to set up such a test if I have to do it myself, but if there was one available for consultation, that might be half the battle. Then again, this is a rabbit hole that is spiralling into a lot of detail over an insignificant misinterpretation of a rule, and may not be worth the time at all! ;)
Over time, it trends toward giving PC's average hit points for the dice type.
ReplyDeleteIt's good for evening out those (un)lucky rolls, so it is a matter of perspective and what you have rolled already for hit points.
When rerolling hit points every level we have always taken the new result only if it was better. I use this as a the standard way to generate hit points every level. Allowing them to lose hit points when they level is a penalty. When playing holmes above 3rd, if mot gaining new hit dice, you can reroll hp on a new level to simulate a more heroic stature without going crazy on hd.
ReplyDeleteCould re-rolling and taking the new result really give you an edge? Isn't it the same HD, just either spread over time, or done in a chunk? I don't have the math in my head to quickly run the numbers, but I can't see how when you roll is going to result in better numbers. [Obviously, re-rolling and taking the new total only if it is better will get you better results — but when you're making the rolls won't tend to give you better or worse results inherently.]
ReplyDeleteOne way to measure 'growth' through better rolls upon gaining a level is to keep track of the individual die rolls each level, but that is a pain for some players, as it would be for me too. But this method implies that you re-roll each previous roll. If that roll isn't better than the previous, you won't gain much, except for the roll for the newly acquired level - that roll will add to the total.
ReplyDeleteSay you have a 5th level fighter (d8 HD type) gain a level and is now 6th. His HD rolls were, in order of level: (8), (6), (5), (4), (3) + 1 roll for 6th: (3). He re-rolls each die individually, so statistically, you can't improve on the 8, and need to roll higher for the other dice. (Not taking into account any bonuses for high Constitution...)
The benefit is that at every level, you have a chance to improve on the previous die rolls, not only gaining a few points at your current level.
However, if your group or referee isn't going to be bothered to track each level's die rolls, then this method isn't going to see as much noticeable gain for the characters.
Oily Cow! Tracking each and every die roll...! ~faints from the thought of the bookkeeping involved~
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts too, Jon Wilson! But that would be the best way to track hit point increases per die/level. :)
ReplyDeleteIf used this rule should be applied to NPCs as well, which means most high level ones will have high hit points. Rolling up an 8th level fighter would mean rolling for hit points eight times and taking the highest total.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought of the implied rules toward NPCs or monsters. However, I will have a bit of time on Sunday to search for a bell curve template based on the number of times dice are rolled per level, etc. I'm not completely sure how to set up such a test if I have to do it myself, but if there was one available for consultation, that might be half the battle. Then again, this is a rabbit hole that is spiralling into a lot of detail over an insignificant misinterpretation of a rule, and may not be worth the time at all! ;)
ReplyDelete