Basic Fantasy RPG Forums

So, I had to read the rules multiple times, just to make sure I was reading it right; it's possible for a player character to have 1 HP as it's starting value... So something could sneeze on him and oh sorry, you can't play any more... I know there's Armour but if a goblin DOES get through your plate armor and poke you with a sharpened stick, even if it rolls a 1 on a d4, you die.

My question; does this work in the game practically or should I "House Rule" it and say "screw it; add an extra 5 HP to whatever you roll starting off"?

Personally, I houserule full HP at first level. Many others use various starting HP houserules, but full HP at first level is one of the most common ways that I have heard.

Well, the question I had was in more regards to starting MAX HP. For example, the rule book says a cleric with no constitution modifier rolls a single D6 Hit Die and basically whatever he gets on that roll is his starting max health. So if you roll a 1 on that D6 you're completely useless! So, when you say "Full HP" what does that refer to?

Aside from CON modifier, this:
Fighters d8, so 8 hp at first level.
Clerics d6, so 6 hp at first level.
Thief and MU use d4, so 4 hp at first level.

Okay, I get it. Awesome, thanks so much for the help!

Personally, I either award maximum HP at first level, or I let players re-roll natural 1's. Depends on how tough I feel like being...

Zimmby wrote:So something could sneeze on him and oh sorry, you can't play any more...

Entirely untrue, let the player make a new character and keep playing.

Some gamers use a d4 + bonus rule:
Fighters: Roll 1d4+4
Clerics: Roll 1d4+2
Thieves and Magic Users: Roll 1d4.

Some others allows rerolls until 50% or higher value is achieved.

Also, I strongly recommend you read the rules about dealing with death in the Game Master section of the core rules. Running out of hit points does not have to be the end.

Solomoriah wrote:Also, I strongly recommend you read the rules about dealing with death in the Game Master section of the core rules. Running out of hit points does not have to be the end.

Exactly.

I house rule max HP at first level. I also use an additional rule that works like this.

At 0 hit points the character is unconscious and bleeding out at a rate of 1 hit point per round up to 10 rounds or -10hp. Bandaging the wound at any point before -10 hit points stops the bleed out and the character is stable but still out like a light. It doesn't give the character any additional hit points but does allow them to be saved from death for a limited amount of time

To be fair the monsters and NPC's are also allowed the same rules.