Hit Points - PC versus NPC - Probing poll

[Soren / Zarathustra217]

This is a poll to probe the current sentiments in regards to the changes proposed here: http://www.nwnravenloft.com/forum/index.php?topic=35362.0

It is not a poll to decide whether to implement any of the proposed changes, but only to get an idea of the general opinion

The background is - in short - that we on the server give PCs the maximum amount of HP on level up, where as NPCs (all creatures included) always get the average. This deviation from the core DnD rules was never really discussed but more tacitly agreed upon, so the idea is to now open the discussion so that we decide on this "house rule" in an informed and deliberate fashion.

There are several ways to readjust this (as the above poll suggest). We can either balance NPCs toward PCs by increasing their HP gains to be closer to PC, or conversely, reduce the HP gains per level to be closer to what NPCs gain. The tables below show some examples of what it would mean for various character builds.

The numbers are the expected HP for the example characters at a given level, either with the current system (Max HP), 3/4 HP (middle ground), and finally following average of HP rolls (what NPCs get).

Case 1. Fighter, CON 14, toughness feat.

Level_________	2_____	4_____	6_____	8_____	12_____	16_____
Max HP (current)	26	52	78	104	156	208
¾ HP	22	44	66	88	132	176
Average HP	17	34	51	68	102	136

Case 2. Cleric, CON 12

Level_________	2_____	4_____	6_____	8_____	12_____	16_____
Max HP (current)	18	36	54	72	108	144
¾ HP	14	28	42	56	84	112
Average HP	11	22	33	44	66	88

Case 3. Wizard, CON 14

Level_________	2_____	4_____	6_____	8_____	12_____	16_____
Max HP (current)	12	24	36	48	72	96
¾ HP	10	20	30	40	60	80
Average HP	9	18	27	36	54	72

Case 4. Rogue, CON 12

Level_________	2_____	4_____	6_____	8_____	12_____	16_____
Max HP (current)	14	28	42	56	84	112
¾ HP	12	24	36	48	72	96
Average HP	9	18	27	36	54	72

I have tried to summarize the general pros and cons of the change below:

Difficulty

This change will make things harder. The question is, would increasing the relative XP gains not sufficiently compensate that? You may have to mover slower through dungeons or even go to places less difficult than those you visited before the potential change, but you would still get the same amount of XP.

Balance

Some balance between classes will be affected by this, although exactly how it would affect things can only be speculative at this point. One relevant point is that one may fairly assume that the core DnD rules are well-balanced, and in so far we have swayed from them, we've made some things (like the toughness feat, constitution score, general ability to do raw damage, AC, damage reduction) less powerful. But the counter-point is that the transcendence of medium (from tabletop to online rpg) argues in favour of giving PCs increased HP.

The effects on the gameplay experience

This to me is actually the most essential point, since it's where I seem to notice some indications that the increased amount of HP makes you slightly less cautious since it decreases the volatility of your PC. Additionally, the sense of suspense in combat is often proportional with the votality. What I find the most important counter-argument to this is that we also want to be a place for casual gamers to play. But the question is whether setting up the terms to demand you being more cautious really has a negative impact on that, since it's not about knowing the mechanics better, but just when to be careful and when to run.

If you want to comment on the idea, please use the topic here: http://www.nwnravenloft.com/forum/index.php?topic=35362.0