Not sure if I'm using it wrong or not, so if I'm dumb, then please correct me.
If a character is created using Manual HP management, the HP calculation glitches in the player's favor when you use the "Rolled HP" option which automatically adds the Constitution modifier. What happens is that the system is automatically calculating how much of a Constitution bonus to add by multiplying the current Constitution modifier by the number of levels.
Here's how I verified the potential bug:
1. Started with 5 HP rolled and a Constitution score of 13 (modifier +1) for a total of 6
2. Leveled up to Level 2 with another 5 HP for a total of 10 rolled. System automatically added +2 to the rolled total based on the Constitution modifier, giving a total of 12.
3. Leveled up to Level 3 with 3 HP rolled for a total of 13 rolled. System automatically added +3 to the rolled total based on the Constitution modifier, giving a total of 16.
4. Leveled up to Level 4 with 6 HP rolled for a total of 19 rolled. Used Ability Score Improvement to add +2 to Constitution for a total of 15 Constitution (+2 modifier). System added +8 to the rolled total based on the constitution modifier, giving a total of 27.
5. Leveled up to Level 8, going stepwise until the second Ability Score Improvement. Added +2 to Constitution for a total of 17 Constitution (+3 modifier). System added +24 to the rolled total.
Unless I've been doing my HP scores wrong since 3.5 (which is admittedly a strong possibility), that seems wrong. I understood that leveling up HP for each new level was to roll a hit die and then add the current Constitution modifier to it.
It could be I've been misreading the rules this whole time, but it seems kinda off.
Edit: Also, typically your 1st level HP is your Maximum hit die, not a rolled value. I also went to look up and verify the retroactive constitution bonus, which can be found here.
When your Constitution modifier increases by 1, your hit point maximum increases by 1 for each level you have attained. For example, if your 7th-level fighter has a Constitution score of 17, when he reaches 8th level, he increases his Constitution score from 17 to 18, thus increasing his Constitution modifier from +3 to +4. His hit point maximum then increases by 8.
Knox very good post I really like how you linked the answer and posted below. Yes in the case of a Hill Dwarf they can have what basically works out as a 22 CON as that racial bonus is awesome. Gets really obscene when they take the tough feat giving them the +3 hp per level.
You're right on the first level. I goofed with that one in my test. Thanks. :)
Also thank you so much for correcting me that I apparently have been calculating the HP total incorrectly for years. The DM who taught me how to play and I both misinterpreted the leveling up mechanic to mean add 1 hit die plus current Constitution modifier for each level regardless of whether or not the current modifier was changed, not to add one for each previous level as well. Given I'd played for years, I didn't read that section terribly closely.
Thank you so much for setting me straight. :)
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Not sure if I'm using it wrong or not, so if I'm dumb, then please correct me.
If a character is created using Manual HP management, the HP calculation glitches in the player's favor when you use the "Rolled HP" option which automatically adds the Constitution modifier. What happens is that the system is automatically calculating how much of a Constitution bonus to add by multiplying the current Constitution modifier by the number of levels.
Here's how I verified the potential bug:
1. Started with 5 HP rolled and a Constitution score of 13 (modifier +1) for a total of 6
2. Leveled up to Level 2 with another 5 HP for a total of 10 rolled. System automatically added +2 to the rolled total based on the Constitution modifier, giving a total of 12.
3. Leveled up to Level 3 with 3 HP rolled for a total of 13 rolled. System automatically added +3 to the rolled total based on the Constitution modifier, giving a total of 16.
4. Leveled up to Level 4 with 6 HP rolled for a total of 19 rolled. Used Ability Score Improvement to add +2 to Constitution for a total of 15 Constitution (+2 modifier). System added +8 to the rolled total based on the constitution modifier, giving a total of 27.
5. Leveled up to Level 8, going stepwise until the second Ability Score Improvement. Added +2 to Constitution for a total of 17 Constitution (+3 modifier). System added +24 to the rolled total.
Unless I've been doing my HP scores wrong since 3.5 (which is admittedly a strong possibility), that seems wrong. I understood that leveling up HP for each new level was to roll a hit die and then add the current Constitution modifier to it.
It could be I've been misreading the rules this whole time, but it seems kinda off.
Every level you gain Hit Die + Con Mod, or in the case of Hill Dwarves Hit Die + Con Mod + 1. In your case here...
Edit: Also, typically your 1st level HP is your Maximum hit die, not a rolled value. I also went to look up and verify the retroactive constitution bonus, which can be found here.
Knox very good post I really like how you linked the answer and posted below. Yes in the case of a Hill Dwarf they can have what basically works out as a 22 CON as that racial bonus is awesome. Gets really obscene when they take the tough feat giving them the +3 hp per level.
You're right on the first level. I goofed with that one in my test. Thanks. :)
Also thank you so much for correcting me that I apparently have been calculating the HP total incorrectly for years. The DM who taught me how to play and I both misinterpreted the leveling up mechanic to mean add 1 hit die plus current Constitution modifier for each level regardless of whether or not the current modifier was changed, not to add one for each previous level as well. Given I'd played for years, I didn't read that section terribly closely.
Thank you so much for setting me straight. :)