From: boelter3945@iscsvax.uni.edu
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Re: Multi-Class Hit Points
Date: 18 Aug 92 13:38:22 -0500
Distribution: na
Organization: University of Northern Iowa

In article <1992Aug13.214806.12344@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu>,
   wbennett@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (William F Bennett) writes:
>      I have just started a new campaign after being out of touch with DND for 
> several years. One of the players is a multi-class elf. I have always had a 
> problem with the hit points for multi-class characters. It seems after they 
> struggle along to get their levels due to the splitting of the exp they are
> again penalized by doling out meager hit points. The max a
> fighter/magic-user/thief can get is 3 HP on his fighter level, 2 hP on his 
> thief
> level and 1 on his MU level. When they are traveling wth characters with
> higher levels because they didn't split their exp's they are also a 
> disadvantage because their ht points are so low. This is even more a 
> discrepancy at higher levels when the multi-class is limited .
>           Any Comments

   Well, for one, you are not treating averages the way they should be.  Six hp
max for a first level F/M/T?  That's about right, considering two of the three
classes you have are the two lowest HD classes there are.  This is dragging
down your effective HD:
        Class        HD Type             Average Roll
        Fighter         10                    5.5
        Thief            6                    3.5
        Mage             4                    2.5
                     -------               --------
                        20 / 3 = 6.67        11.5 / 3 = 3.83

   So, this class effectively has a d6 for HD, making it very close to a thief
for hit points (which aren't too hot).  Course with a decent constitution,
things could be better. :)

   As a counter example, say you had a Fighter/Cleric character.  This would
average out to a d9 for hit points, which is an average of about 5 hp/HD,
excluding any Con bonus.  It all depends on the mix of classes you have.

   If you really want more hp for your multi-classes, I'd suggest rounding to
the nearest rather than rounding down all the time, add up all hp rolled from
all classes/levels before dividing by the number of classes (to make sure you
don't lose any parts/fractions of hit points), and always make sure you have a
decent Con. :)

   Well, whatever you decide to do, enjoy your games, and make sure they're
fun!

                                        John "Nightwind" Boelter

--
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* John Boelter        a.k.a. Nightwind            boelter3945@iscsvax.uni.edu *
* Organizational Manager and contact person for everything and then some.     *
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* The individual who said we only use 10%  * "I hit it with my Sword+10 of    *
* of our brain's mental capacity, was      *  Super Slaying" - "It laughs" -  *
* probably 90% incorrect.                  * "I give the DM the rest of my    *
*            -Unknown comic on A&E-        *  pizza" - *munch* "It dies"      *
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