I never really thought about the language the book used until a player brought it up to me.
Using the Druid as an example, I always considered "1d8 (or 5) + your Constitution modifier per druid level after 1st" to mean at the start of each level, roll 1d8 or take the flat 5 and add. My player wanted to know if the amount of dice you roll is determined by your level. That is, if you level up to a level 5 Druid, do you roll 5d8 + your constitution modifier? It seems to me like the book may actually be saying that with "per druid level after 1st."
Just wondering if this is actually what you're supposed to do, since I obviously want to make changes if I've been running hit points wrong this whole time.
You're correct: you roll the die once per level. A 5th level Druid has a total of 5D8 hit points (with the first level die always being maximized) plus 5*their con mod. Each level they'll add 1d8+Con to that.
I never really thought about the language the book used until a player brought it up to me.
Using the Druid as an example, I always considered "1d8 (or 5) + your Constitution modifier per druid level after 1st" to mean at the start of each level, roll 1d8 or take the flat 5 and add. My player wanted to know if the amount of dice you roll is determined by your level. That is, if you level up to a level 5 Druid, do you roll 5d8 + your constitution modifier? It seems to me like the book may actually be saying that with "per druid level after 1st."
Just wondering if this is actually what you're supposed to do, since I obviously want to make changes if I've been running hit points wrong this whole time.
You're correct: you roll the die once per level. A 5th level Druid has a total of 5D8 hit points (with the first level die always being maximized) plus 5*their con mod. Each level they'll add 1d8+Con to that.
Just to be absolutely clear, it is 1 die per level.
At level 1 HP=8+CON. Level 2 HP=13+(CON×2). Level 3 HP=18+(CON×3). Etc.
Or: level 1 HP=8+CON. Level 2 HP=1d8+8+(CON×2). Level 3 HP=2d8+8+(CON×3). Etc.
Those are the options.
And substitute different numbers and dice for different classes, as detailed in the class details.
Just remember:
Baby Groot > Baby Yoda