Questions tagged [hit-points]

For questions about hit points, an abstraction of a character's health, used in many role-playing games. (See also: the [temporary-hit-points] and [hit-dice] tags.)

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9 votes
1 answer
1k views

Is armor invulnerable?

Since armor can't be the target of the special attack sunder, when would it ever take damage? Weapons and shields have listed hardness and hit points that may be adjusted by its material composition, ...
11 votes
3 answers
2k views

Why record number of Hit Dice?

Brand new to D&D 5e and trying to wrap my head around the accumulation and spending of Hit Die. My understanding is that: Hit Die are used to determine your character's Max HP Hit Die are gained ...
13 votes
3 answers
2k views

When do monsters not have average hp?

The Monster Manual (7) says: A monster's hit points are presented both as a die expression and as an average number. For example, a monster with 2d8 hit points has 9 hit points on average (2 x 4 1/2)....
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12 votes
7 answers
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Does Gift of the Ever-Living Ones maximize the damage and/or healing from Gloves of Soul Catching?

I have been theory-crafting a character for an lv20 one-shot that I'll be playing in. We have been allowed 1 magic item of each type. I plan on making a Monk / Fighter Multiclass. Basic so far I know. ...
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7 votes
1 answer
2k views

How to calculate HP if an item increases constitution

I am sorry if this question seems obvious, I just cannot find the answer anywhere. HP increase every level with the hit dice roll and the constitution bonus is added every level. What happens when the ...
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4 votes
1 answer
299 views

What effect does reducing a Spelljamming Vessel to 0 hp have?

For sea-going vessels, Ghosts of Saltmarsh says that (186): A ship component is destroyed and becomes unusable when it drops to 0 hit points. So, for example, if the 'movement component' was reduced ...
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6 votes
2 answers
507 views

How does Protective Bond interact with Armor of Agathys?

Armor of Agathys A protective magical force surrounds you, manifesting as a spectral frost that covers you and your gear. You gain 5 temporary hit points for the duration. If a creature hits you with ...
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9 votes
4 answers
3k views

Do you have hit points while dead?

There are a few effects in D&D 5e that cause a creature to die without regard to its hit points. One of them is the exhaustion condition, which has the effect of "Death" on a character ...
2 votes
3 answers
1k views

How to handle a psychic damage roll

I’m playing a D&D solo adventure called "To Hell and Back Again", I've just had to roll a d10 for psychic damage, due to a 'trait' called 'fear of bony things'. I entered a vehicle which ...
5 votes
2 answers
3k views

Do Constitution Changes affect Current hit points in D&D 5e?

I know that changes to Constitution retroactively affect Maximum Hit Points, but I'm not sure what to do about current hit points. Say a level 3 character has 12/20 hit points and their Con modifier ...
7 votes
3 answers
432 views

If a mythic monster is reduced to 0 HP by a Mace of Disruption, what happens?

(My question was inspired by this answer to "Is it possible to kill a mythic monster without activating its mythic trait?".) Mythic Monsters (introduced in Mythic Odysseys of Theros) have a ...
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6 votes
1 answer
545 views

In E6, what happens about Hit Points after level 6? Do characters stop gaining HP?

Apologies if this is the incorrect way to ask a question or if it was already answered. In E6, what happens about Hit Points after level 6? Do characters stop gaining HP? I'm keen to try E6, and see ...
7 votes
1 answer
630 views

How can I increase a Shield's HP?

What ways are there to increase the HP of a shield? I found Shield Boss', and I know enhancement bonuses will help as well. Are there any other options like making the shield thicker? It needs to be ...
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11 votes
1 answer
2k views

If a lizardfolk shaman is killed while in crocodile form, what is its HP after it reverts to its true form?

The lizardfolk shaman is a CR2 monster with druid spells. It has this ability: Change Shape (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest). The lizardfolk magically polymorphs into a crocodile, remaining in ...
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1 vote
1 answer
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If a PC uses the Magic Jar spell to possess another PC, what happens to their HP?

My Necromancer is a level 13 player character, and he will use the magic jar spell on fellow 13th-level PCs. The issue is that HP for PCs is calculated and based on a class feature (monsters without ...
9 votes
1 answer
807 views

What happens to a creature with maximum 1 hit point that gains level 4 Exhaustion?

The fourth level of exhaustion imparts this effect on a creature: Hit point maximum halved The Basic Rules make it clear that whenever you divide a number for any purpose, you round down: There’s ...
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14 votes
0 answers
552 views
+200

What is the correct way to calculate Position in Dark Souls?

In the Dark Souls tabletop RPG, 5e’s Hit Points are replaced with “Position”, a more flexible resource. I found the rules for determining the Base Position of a character to be slightly confusing. For ...
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11 votes
2 answers
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Does a synthesist eidolon actually take damage?

I'm asking myself if the eidolon of a synthesist actually takes damage. While fused with his eidolon, the synthesist uses the eidolon’s physical ability scores (Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution),...
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3 votes
2 answers
2k views

Can a Wall of Stone be made with 7200 hit points?

I was recently looking at the spell Wall of Stone and I was thinking about whether or not it would be possible to create an almost impenetrable cube using this spell. Here is my math: In the spell ...
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8 votes
4 answers
2k views

What trigger would I specify for the Contingency spell to use a contingent False Life spell to avoid being knocked unconscious by damage?

So, in our current game, the PCs are getting pwned by a couple of bad guys. We ended last session in the middle of combat and will pick up next session. My wizard is already pretty seriously hurt and ...
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-3 votes
2 answers
419 views

How many hit points can a druid generate per day from Aid with Wild Shape?

Alice is a 2nd level druid with 10 hit points. She receives the benefit of an Aid spell, bumping her to 15 max and current hit points. She then has a run-in with a couple of goblins, who hurt her for ...
3 votes
3 answers
3k views

What happens when a creature drops to 0 hit points without taking damage?

The rules on dropping to 0 hit points (PHB p. 197) almost entirely depend on taking damage. The section begins as follows: When you drop to 0 hit points, you either die outright or fall unconscious, ...
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2 votes
1 answer
941 views

Are there any rules preventing a creature's hit point maximum from being negative?

To illustrate the question, take the following example: a creature is under the effects of an aid spell, increasing its hit point maximum: (PHB p. 211) Each target's hit point maximum and current hit ...
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15 votes
4 answers
1k views

What happens when the Aid spell ends on a creature while its hit point maximum has been changed to another value?

A number of effects in D&D 5e can change a creature's hit point maximum. Some issues in the specifics of how some features are written can arise when these effects coexist or otherwise interact. ...
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16 votes
7 answers
4k views

How can healers track all PCs' health without slowing combat?

I'm a GM and a couple of the players who have healing abilities are tracking others' HP on spreadsheets during combat. On the one hand, I love that they're looking out for each other. On the other ...
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30 votes
5 answers
7k views

Are hit points non-fungible?

There are many effects in D&D 5e which reduce a target's maximum hit points. Take for example, the Vampire's bite which contains the following rider: The target's hit point maximum is reduced by ...
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10 votes
3 answers
1k views

Can a simulacrum from the Simulacrum spell use hit dice to recover hit points during short rests?

The simulacrum from the simulacrum spell is a partially-real "illusory duplicate of one beast or humanoid" – which, if damaged, can be repaired in an alchemical laboratory. In our game, my ...
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2 votes
1 answer
183 views

How does the first level ability of the Fiend warlock work? [duplicate]

What exactly do the words mean in the 1st level Fiend warlock subclass feature? Dark One’s Blessing Starting at 1st level, when you reduce a hostile creature to 0 hit points, you gain temporary hit ...
2 votes
0 answers
41 views

Does a demilich's energy drain ability affect current hit points? [duplicate]

A demilich's Energy Drain ability says: Each creature within 30 feet of the demilich must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the creature’s hit point maximum is magically ...
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8 votes
1 answer
401 views

What ways are there to damage or reduce the hit points of a creature who is under the effect of the Invulnerability spell?

The spell 'Invulnerability (XGtE)' states: You are immune to all damage until the spell ends. Are there any items/abilities/spells/etc. that can be used to bypass this immunity while the spell is ...
6 votes
2 answers
294 views

Does the Synthesist Summoner keep Hit Points from his Constitution score?

While fused with his eidolon, the Synthesist uses the eidolon's physical ability scores (Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution), but retains his own mental ability scores (Intelligence, Wisdom, and ...
28 votes
3 answers
5k views

Should players know other creatures' HP? How do you deal with players not knowing the opponent's HP if not?

I recently started playing D&D, and I was wondering about this. I know it is up to the DM to choose whether or not players know enemies' remaining HP in combat: is it recommended to do so? ...
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10 votes
2 answers
2k views

If the Life Transference spell's damage is greater than the caster's current HP (i.e. reducing them below 0 HP), how much HP does the target regain? [duplicate]

In D&D 5e, the Life Transference spell (XGtE, p. 160) heals an ally for twice the amount of damage it deals you (the caster). How much HP does the ally regain if the damage you roll is greater ...
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5 votes
1 answer
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How can hit points lost as a result of casting the Life Transference spell be recovered?

When you "sacrifice" hit points as a result of casting the life transference spell, how can you recover them? A long or short rest?
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-1 votes
1 answer
627 views

How much HP does a Pact of the Chain Imp familiar recover on a Short Rest? [duplicate]

I believe a Pact of the Chain Imp familiar uses the normal Imp stat block. So it has: Hit Points 10 (3d4 + 3) CON 13 (+1) Challenge 1 (200 XP) For purposes of recovering HP during a Short Rest, how ...
0 votes
0 answers
69 views

What is the most hp you can have at level 20 with no wildshape? [duplicate]

I'm curious as to what the most HP you can have at level 20 is with no wildshape. All official sources allowed (no UA). My main question is max HP but I'm also curious about effective HP (so ...
10 votes
4 answers
555 views

How can one reduce the hit points lost from a Stirge's Blood Drain?

The Stirge is a monster, and it has the Blood Drain action which states (emphasis mine): Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage, and the stirge ...
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17 votes
2 answers
3k views

If an elf is stable with 0 HP, do they regain all hit points after a long rest of 8 hours or 4?

In my most recent session, the entire party except one character was downed (reduced to 0 HP), but they were all stabilised by the cleric (the only member that was left standing). One of the downed ...
7 votes
1 answer
265 views

In OD&D, how do you calculate XP, HP and Max HP when switching class?

In Original D&D, specifically the rules described in Men & Magic, it says: Elves can begin as either Fighting-Men or Magic-Users and freely switch class whenever they choose, from adventure ...
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4 votes
1 answer
126 views

Does the feat Unnatural Mantle keep this servitor in the fight?

The cleric prayer Servitude in Death has as its effect The first time the target dies before the end of the encounter, it rises at the start of its next turn as an undead creature allied with you and ...
4 votes
1 answer
1k views

Unconsciousness ending naturally over time?

In D&D 5E, if a player character, an NPC, or a group of player characters and/or NPCs become unconscious or go critical and then get stabilized, or if an enemy/enemies was/were knocked out instead ...
1 vote
2 answers
723 views

Can a conscious, stabilized PC do anything if they are still at 0 hit points after being stabilized with "Spare the Dying"?

Pretty self explanatory: A character has been shot to zero hit points and falls unconscious. A Cleric uses spare the dying on them and stabilizes them before they have a chance to make any death ...
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8 votes
1 answer
163 views

What's the order of operations when multiple game elements check that a monster's dropped to 0 hp?

I'm considering for my PC the epic destiny Keeper of the Everflow, in part, because of the level 30 epic destiny feature turning the wheel that, among others, grants the following ability: When you ...
8 votes
3 answers
2k views

If you take more damage than you have current HP, do you end up with negative HP?

I found this explanation on how dying in D&D 3.5 works. Coming from 5e, I am a little confused. In 3.5e, do you take damage past zero do you stop at 0(-1) or go straight into the negatives? For ...
4 votes
2 answers
24k views

Are there any feats that increase hit points?

My character has the lowest hit points in our party (I mean he is even lower than the Artificer of the party, and I am a Fighter), so I was wondering if there were any feats that increase max hit ...
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10 votes
3 answers
35k views

Is there any magic item that increases Hit Points?

My character has the lowest Hit Points in our party, who are all level 10 (I mean he is even lower than the Artificer of the party I am a Fighter)(My CON is 15) so I was wondering if there was any ...
  • 1,077
0 votes
2 answers
254 views

Can a homebrew classes starting hit points be higher than it's hit dice? [closed]

So I was wonder if I could make a class that's starting hit points were higher than it's hit dice? Hit points Hit Dice: 1d10 per ______ level Hit Points at 1st level: 12 + your Constitution modifier ...
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3 votes
1 answer
377 views

Does "Dying" mean being "Bloodied" at the same time, technically? [duplicate]

In D&D 4th Edition, one can only get to a state of Dying after getting Bloodied first. If - for example - I have a Feat which gives me the ability A to do something as a Minor/Move/Standard action ...
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8 votes
2 answers
780 views

How much HP does a mountain range have?

How much HP does a mountain range have? And I don't mean a mountain, I mean a mountain range. Specifically Kondyor Massif It's technically a crater, but close enough. Basically I'm homebrewing a ...
7 votes
1 answer
517 views

Are there any rules or guidelines that demonstrate how many hit points an increase in AC is worth?

I am trying to determine if I should increase the base hit points, or the starting AC for my monsters to make them a bit more challenging for my players due to the size of the party (7-8 players). Is ...
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