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Say, it isn't that bad! · 02-25-2021, 06:36 PM

A 20th-level character is super-human. This follows from the fact that a 6th-level character is super-human. A 6th-level fighter, with full HP, faced with a mundane heavy crossbow, will dodge it almost every single time, barring a low constitution score, low HP rolls (if HP rolls are used on level-up), and/or a critical hit combined with a high damage roll. A 20th-level fighter might pluck the bolt out of where it's barely dented their bare chest, and look amused. This is derivable from the fact that a character is not impaired by hit point damage until they hit 0 (zero) HP.

The logical take-away is that any HP loss taken before then, does not represent severe injury, but, as noted in various rulebooks over the years: fatigue, use of luck, minor cuts and bruises, and the wearing away of protection granted by their deity.

With a 10 constitution and exactly average rolls (5.5), a 6th-level fighter will have 33 Hit Points. Facing a character with a 10 strength wielding a longsword (1d8 damage), they can then evade, reduce, be glad it was a close shave, and be saved by some divine act, an average of 7 and 1/3rd times that sword would have killed them.

The take-away is not, generally speaking, that they are ignoring a gaping flesh wound. Although that is appropriate for some creatures, such as zombies.

This should be required reading before discussing or critiquing D&D 3.0e, especially it's power curve or HP:

https://thealexandrian.net/wordpress...expectations-2

02-25-2021, 06:36 PM	#35
Say, it isn't that bad! Join Date: Dec 2013	Re: Hit Points...to be, or not to be? A 20th-level character is super-human. This follows from the fact that a 6th-level character is super-human. A 6th-level fighter, with full HP, faced with a mundane heavy crossbow, will dodge it almost every single time, barring a low constitution score, low HP rolls (if HP rolls are used on level-up), and/or a critical hit combined with a high damage roll. A 20th-level fighter might pluck the bolt out of where it's barely dented their bare chest, and look amused. This is derivable from the fact that a character is not impaired by hit point damage until they hit 0 (zero) HP. The logical take-away is that any HP loss taken before then, does not represent severe injury, but, as noted in various rulebooks over the years: fatigue, use of luck, minor cuts and bruises, and the wearing away of protection granted by their deity. With a 10 constitution and exactly average rolls (5.5), a 6th-level fighter will have 33 Hit Points. Facing a character with a 10 strength wielding a longsword (1d8 damage), they can then evade, reduce, be glad it was a close shave, and be saved by some divine act, an average of 7 and 1/3rd times that sword would have killed them. The take-away is not, generally speaking, that they are ignoring a gaping flesh wound. Although that is appropriate for some creatures, such as zombies. This should be required reading before discussing or critiquing D&D 3.0e, especially it's power curve or HP: https://thealexandrian.net/wordpress...expectations-2 __________________ In which I post about a TL9-10 solar system http://forums.sjgames.com/showthread.php?t=169674 If you don't know why I said something, please ask. Assumptions are the death of courtesy. Disappointed in the behaviour I have too-often encountered here.