All Questions
Tagged with hp or hit-points
323 questions
89
votes
5
answers
25k
views
Rolling a D10 (0-9) for hitpoints. What do I get with a zero?
My character leveled up and I rolled a D10 to determine the rise in hitpoints. The dice that I used goes from 0 to 9 and I rolled a zero. The DM told me that this means I only add my modifier (0 + 3 = ...
- 1,025
88
votes
21
answers
96k
views
Why would I ever choose rolling hit points?
In DnD 5th edition, all classes seemingly have the option of rolling hit points -or- just increasing their hit points by a set value.
That set value is defined as the dice roll's average, rounded up.
...
- 1,117
63
votes
3
answers
16k
views
Death by leveling? The effects of 0 max HP and leveling with negative CON
Since per Jeremy Crawford's twitter and Is there a floor for maximum HP? you can get into a situation where your max HP is zero due to leveling up… what happens next?
What happens when your max HP is ...
- 95.6k
61
votes
10
answers
131k
views
Can a zero-HP, unconscious and stable character be woken up prematurely?
Whenever you drop to 0 hp you become unconscious (and are dying). If you manage to stabilize you will wake up in 1d4 hrs with 1 hp.
We had a situation where an unconscious character was stablized, ...
- 803
57
votes
3
answers
21k
views
Would striking someone at 0 hit points with an entire Magic Missile spell automatically kill them?
Assuming the target is able to be hit and does not have immunity to force damage, would firing all three missiles at a target with 0 hit points inflict three guaranteed death saves ergo death?
...
- 6,714
40
votes
4
answers
72k
views
Do negative Hit Points exist in D&D 5e?
Say that a character has 5 HP remaining and is dealt 10 damage from an attack. Of course, 5 - 10 = -5, so the character has dropped below 0 Hit Points and follows the rules for making death saving ...
- 15.9k
39
votes
4
answers
13k
views
Are commoners actually this squishy?
I realize they're commoners but at 4 HP, an encounter with 2 regular size (tiny) rats could be fatal. Even if the commoner survives, he/she is going to be at 1/4 to 1/2 of their full health. So ...
- 603
37
votes
5
answers
20k
views
Are undead and creatures immune to charm excluded from the HP count of Sleep?
From the spell description:
Sleep (...) Creatures within 20 feet of a point you choose within range are affected in ascending order of their current hit points (ignoring unconscious creatures). ...
- 24.4k
36
votes
3
answers
5k
views
What happens when you bring a creature down to 0 HP entirely by a "Sword of Wounding", but choose to deal nonlethal damage?
The Situation:
The Sword of Wounding has the following magic effect:
Hit points lost to this weapon's damage can be regained only through a short or long rest, rather than by regeneration, magic, or ...
- 18.4k
36
votes
1
answer
3k
views
In what order should one apply max HP reduction and damage?
A character at 10/26 HP is hit by a Wraith and fails the Constitution saving throw. They take 21 damage and their maximum HP is reduced to 5.
Are they unconscious because the 11 excess damage is less ...
- 8,177
32
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Do monsters rolled with 0 HP get a minimum of 1 HP?
When rolling HP for monsters, is 1 the minimum? Take the Gas Spore for example:
Hit Points: 1 (1d10 - 4)
What happens when a 4, 3, 2, or 1 is rolled on the d10, especially when said creature ...
- 1,771
32
votes
5
answers
67k
views
How does drowning work when you're already at 0 hp and fall into water?
I had a player fighting against sahuagin by the shore the other day and he was dropped to 0 and dying. Because of his location, though, he landed in shallow water (2-3' deep) which I ruled was enough ...
- 37.6k
31
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 ...
- 12k
31
votes
1
answer
6k
views
Can massive damage kill you while at 0 HP?
The rules on "Instant Death" state:
Massive damage can kill you instantly. When damage reduces you to 0 hit points and there is damage remaining, you die if the remaining damage equals or exceeds ...
- 76.8k
30
votes
8
answers
8k
views
Should I show the health of enemies?
This is my first time hosting a PnP session, and one issue I've run into is whether to let players know the health of their enemies. Should I show them the monster's HP number, or describe in varying ...
- 485
30
votes
2
answers
21k
views
Can you cast Hellish Rebuke as a reaction to damage that reduces you to zero hit points?
Can one use a hellish rebuke as a reaction after taking damage that would knock one unconscious?
A friend and I fought during one game and I hit him, so he would have lost,
but used his reaction to ...
- 301
30
votes
5
answers
15k
views
If the Aid spell has been cast on a target, what happens to their current hit points when the spell ends?
The 5e D&D Basic Rules v0.1 description of the second-level cleric spell Aid says (p. 83):
Your spell bolsters your allies with toughness and resolve. Choose up to three creatures within range. ...
- 1,149
29
votes
1
answer
6k
views
Can you roll for HP at levelup in Adventurers League?
Are you allowed to roll for your hit points when gaining a level in Adventurers League,or do you have to take the fixed value? A DM I played with today told me I had to use the fixed value, but I ...
- 1,359
28
votes
4
answers
3k
views
How much damage is dealt/taken when that damage also reduces a creature to 0 hit points?
The particular case where this question came up was when a Hobgoblin Warlord attacked my ally, who had 7 hit points remaining. The attack's damage was rolled for a total of 13, meaning they would fall ...
- 76.8k
28
votes
3
answers
7k
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?
...
- 283
28
votes
1
answer
17k
views
Can you polymorph an unconscious creature that is at 0 HP to wake it up?
The polymorph spell mentions that the creature assumes the new form's hp. As long as that hp doesn't hit 0 hp, the creature doesn't revert. But it doesn't state that you can't polymorph a creature at ...
- 1,610
28
votes
4
answers
7k
views
Does the Aid spell permanently increase HP for Necromancy wizards with the Inured to Undeath feature?
The aid spell increases your current and maximum HP, but only for the duration of the spell.
However, the School of Necromancy wizard's 10th-level Inured to Undeath feature (PHB, p. 119) says:
...
- 809
28
votes
1
answer
79k
views
Are Constitution changes retroactive when calculating max HP?
Lets say I'm a fighter that just leveled up to level 4, and decide to bring my Constitution up from 16 to 18. How many hit points do I have?
Level 1 = 10 (base) + 3 (Con mod) = 13.
Level 2 = 10 + 6 (...
- 313
28
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Does reducing a character's max HP with a spell also reduce the "negative HP" threshold needed to cause instant death?
Here's my situation: In a fight with a group of vampire thralls, the party's wizard got caught in a corner and was being savaged by vampire bites, his max HP dropping from 24 to 11. They fended off ...
- 5,007
27
votes
6
answers
4k
views
Should players be allowed to be more effective in combat through more specific attack choices
My issue seems to to be coming from players acting as if being more specific in describing their attacks allows them to have more effects and be stronger for free.
For example, instead of saying "I ...
- 710
27
votes
5
answers
9k
views
How can I describe hit point damage without talking about wounds?
The PHB's description of hit points (p. 196) says:
Hit points represent a combination of physical and mental durability, the will to live, and luck. Creatures with more hit points are more ...
- 30.3k
27
votes
2
answers
42k
views
Do you gain current HP when you level up?
Let's say your hero is at max HP and he/she is levelling up.
PHB p. 15, "Beyond first Level" says about HP increase when levelling up:
add the total to your hit point maximum
Will she/he need ...
- 70.8k
26
votes
2
answers
227k
views
Where are the rules for using hit dice to heal in 5th edition?
I have read questions that allude to spending hit dice on healing in 5th edition, and seen twitch streams of games where this mechanic is employed, but have not been able to find it in the Dungeon ...
- 6,148
26
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Starter Set Cleric's Hit Points don't add up
In the Starter Set, the Hill Dwarf Cleric's character sheet shows a Hit Point maximum of 11. Shouldn't it be 10 from a 1d8 Hit Die and the Constitution bonus of +2?
- 363
26
votes
2
answers
9k
views
When restoring a character's hit point maximum lost from exhaustion, does the character also regain hit points?
When restoring a character's hit point maximum lost from exhaustion, does the character also regain hit points?
For example, the fourth level of exhaustion reduces a character's hit point maximum to ...
- 470
25
votes
3
answers
8k
views
When healing during a short rest, what happens if the total of my hit die roll plus my Constitution modifier is 0 or less?
The question's been asked before elsewhere, but for lack of an authoritative answer:
If a character has a sufficiently small constitution score, it's conceivable that, when they use a hit die to heal ...
- 1,149
25
votes
1
answer
6k
views
Does a gargantuan creature still die if only the feet are ever attacked?
A group of PCs without ranged weapons is facing a gargantuan creature (e.g. Tolkien's Oliphaunts). Obviously, if they don't climb the creature, they can only hit a small and non-lethal part of it (...
- 8,898
25
votes
1
answer
29k
views
How do hit points work in 5E at low levels?
I picked up the DnD 5E Starter Kit today and we just played through the first encounter with the goblin ambush. I've never played before, let alone DMed, and it was only me and my girlfriend, so I ...
- 8,522
24
votes
1
answer
18k
views
How does the Sleep spell interact with undead?
The sleep spell description (PHB, page 276) says to roll 5d8 to determine the total HP of creatures that can be affected, starting from the lowest hit points. Undead and creatures immune to charm are ...
- 1,857
23
votes
6
answers
7k
views
Is this houserule preventing effects from dropping creatures to below 1 HP if they make their save exploitable or broken?
I'm playing with the idea of adding a new house-rule to my sandbox-style game.
The rule is as follows:
If you succeed on a saving throw against an effect, that effect cannot make you drop below 1 ...
- 82.2k
23
votes
5
answers
5k
views
How does the Death Ward spell interact with the Polymorph spell lasting "until the target drops to 0 hit points"?
A Divine Soul sorcerer in our group is quite fond of using polymorph to change herself into a giant ape (MM, p. 323). At one point in our game last night she managed to grapple a Bheur (Winter Hag) ...
- 4,423
23
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Does going to 0 hp due to the Immolation spell mean instant death? And is that reasonable?
The new Elemental Evil spell immolation specifies:
If damage from this spell reduces a target to 0 hit points, the target
is turned to ash.
Does this mean the victim gets no death saves and ...
- 23.8k
23
votes
2
answers
9k
views
Can I have net negative maximum HP per level with a negative CON modifier?
For the sake of an example, assume I'm a level 1 Sorcerer or Wizard who's somehow had the misfortune of winding up with 1 CON. Maximum HP at level 1 is determined by the highest possible roll on your ...
22
votes
2
answers
4k
views
If I cast the Sleep spell and there are multiple creatures with an equal (lowest) number of hit points in the area, which creature falls asleep?
I'm playing D&D 5e. The description of the sleep spell says:
This spell sends creatures into a magical slumber. Roll 5d8; the total is how many hit points of creatures this spell can affect. ...
- 322
22
votes
3
answers
7k
views
Are there consequences to being reduced to 0 HP multiple times in combat?
I was running a game a few weeks ago. In short, during combat the thief and the warlock were both knocked unconscious. Each were brought back by the cleric with healing word and cure wounds. New ...
- 395
22
votes
4
answers
10k
views
When stabilized, will receiving temporary hit points prevent failed Death Save when hit?
Sequence of events:
Arthur has 7 hit points left.
Arthur is hit and receives 12 damage.
Arthur is becomes unconscious and is dying (0 HP.)
Arthur's turn comes around, he rolls a Death Saving Throw ...
- 7,531
21
votes
3
answers
288k
views
Is Con modifier × level added to HP every level-up?
I am new to D&D and I'm starting with the 5th edition. I have a question about how many hit points I have for a level. I am confused about the con modifier per level and if it is added to first ...
- 211
21
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Is a Necromancy wizard's hit point maximum reduced when they gives hit points to his homunculus from the Create Homunculus spell?
In the D&D 5e campaign I'm playing in, my School of Necromancy wizard just gained the spell create homunculus (from Xanathar's Guide to Everything, p. 152). Part of the spell's description reads (...
- 211
21
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How much max HP should the Demilich have?
The demilich statblock on Monster Manual page 48 says:
Hit Points 80 (32d4)
but outside of the statblock, the demilich's description on the next page says:
Undead Nature. A demilich doesn't ...
- 694
20
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 ...
- 1,303
20
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Does a creature die outright if they drop below negative max hit points of their polymorphed form?
Does a creature die outright if they drop below negative max hit points of their polymorphed form?
I know a creature will revert to their normal form upon reaching 0 hit points, but a creature dies ...
- 5,665
20
votes
1
answer
5k
views
Are temporary hit points able to make you concious?
Last game a character dropped unconscious with exactly -1 HP.
The party's paladin used on his turn 'Beacon of Nobility' to give the unconscious character 5 temporary hit points.
The Rules Compendium ...
- 1,291
19
votes
7
answers
9k
views
Is there a difference between “When you are reduced to 0 hit points” and “when you would be reduced to 0 hit points”?
There already exist a few questions asking similar things about such scenarios, like the following:
If a wildshaped druid somehow got Undead Fortitude, would this prevent them from reverting?
Does ...
- 76.8k
19
votes
3
answers
18k
views
What happens to HP when Constitution decreases?
WotC recently released the Basic Rules for the DM, and with it came a few items like the Amulet of Health:
Wondrous item, uncommon (requires attunement)
Your Constitution is 19 while you wear ...
- 9,389
19
votes
3
answers
4k
views
What is the "+ 75" in these NPC hit point stats?
I see NPCs with stat blocks that have "Hit Points: 142 (15d8 + 75)" (for example). I was wondering where the "+ 75" (in this case) came from?
- 199