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Grundle
Courageous Warrior
6/18/2008 6:21:55 PM
PostID: 233372
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Can someone explain the concept of HD. If you have an NPC with an HD of 1d6, what would the difference be if you rolled a 1 as opposed to if you rolled a 4?
I assume this has something to do with the skill level of that NPC but I am not sure. I know that it means "Hit Dice" but I am not sure how it plays into abilities, etc.
This post last edited on 6/18/2008 6:22:40 PM 
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Jack_Frost
Wayward Child
6/18/2008 6:38:17 PM
PostID: 233379
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Hit dice are simply a way of accurately assessing a character or monsters power level in lieu of class levels: A 15 HD zombie is about the same threat level as a level 15 warrior. Only on paper, though- In practice, not so much.
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Grundle
Courageous Warrior
6/18/2008 6:43:22 PM
PostID: 233382
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So then why when you see an NPC description, many times it gives a 1dn where n is equal to a dice count i.e. (1d6, 1d8, etc.) Does it mean that the possibility for a stronger encounter exists with the 1d8, but it could end up with the same encounter?
For example a 1d6 mob and a 1d8 mob you roll a 1 for both, so they are both equivalent to level one, even though you could have rolled a level 8? Do you have to make adjustments based on how you roll?
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LoneStarNorth
Monsterkeeper
6/18/2008 10:38:22 PM
PostID: 233412
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Let me see if I know what you're asking. You see a monster entry that says Hit Dice: 1d6 (3 hp). Or, alternatively, something like Hit Dice: 3d6+6 (16 hp). The first number, which is how many dice you roll, is the "level" of the creature, like the level of a PC. So a creature with 3d6 HD is "tougher" than a creature with 1d6 HD. If the HD listing is accompanied by the creature's hp, then no actual rolling is necessary because you've already been given the average. You could still roll their hp individually, but you're the only one who would really know.
If two critters had HD of 1d6 and 1d8 respectively, then yes, you could roll a 1 for both and they'd have the same amount of hp. But that wouldn't change their respective level, it would just mean that those particular creatures were not very healthy examples of their kind.
Basically, the number of dice is the level of the creature, and the size of the die (d8, d6) just gives lower or higher hp.
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OldMan
Mapkeeper
6/19/2008 12:25:00 AM
PostID: 233441
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The more HD the stronger the creature, the more HP (Hit points) the more damage a creature can take. Level of a character, NPC, or monster are not solely based on that, though the generality holds true. For example the zombie mentioned above is between CR (challenge rating) 4-5 and is not equivalent to a 15th level character as Jack mentioned. So HD alone can be deceptive in determining difficulty.
HDs rolled or averaged become HPs, modified by Constitution. The bigger the HD the higher statistical chance for more HPs or if averaged more HPs. HP are used to track damage. The few points, the less damage a creature can take. The more HP the more damage a creature can take.
Hopefully we haven't confused you more. :)
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Jack_Frost
Wayward Child
6/19/2008 8:45:09 AM
PostID: 233483
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Also, although they are called hit dice, and although you /can/ roll them if you want, it is generally unwise to: It would create a creature that is truely a weakling, and therefor not a very good challenge, or a creature that has nearly double the hit points it is suggested to have, taking the encounter from challenging to fatal.
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Grundle
Courageous Warrior
6/19/2008 9:01:21 AM
PostID: 233484
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LoneStarNorth, OldMan, and Jack you have cleared up my confusion. I kept thinking that there was an extra step I needed to take, but with the HP already suggested I was wrong. That makes things so much easier...almost TOO easy ;)
I suppose if players are blowing through a group of mobs you could adjust the HP up to make it a little more challenging. Say they are in a dungeon full of goblins and they are dropping them like flies, do you find yourselves adjusting up to make gameplay more exciting?
This post last edited on 6/19/2008 9:01:50 AM
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Jack_Frost
Wayward Child
6/19/2008 9:50:03 AM
PostID: 233494
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Give them monsters with a CR rating of one or two higher than they are currently facing- Or simply toss it up and give the creatures regeneration 1, or dr 5/- or something- It should make the fight more difficult, but not impossible. The regeneration bit it especially nasty, especially if the monsters pretend to be dead until they are fully healed, popping up to be fought agin. >:3
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OldMan
Mapkeeper
6/19/2008 2:12:47 PM
PostID: 233537
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Most monsters allow for advancement(more HD), which can be found in the monster manual. Increasing HD, and adding more skills and feats, is a common way to increase the difficulty (CR) of an encounter, using the same creatures.
Here is a great site with a number of programs for Monster Advancement, Character Sheets and such:
Hero Forge, Spell Forge and Monster Forge
Enjoy!
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cobaltvector
Dungeonkeeper
6/19/2008 8:22:37 PM
PostID: 233631
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Creatures dropping like flies can be a difficult problem to solve. The right combination of spells, for instance, can virtually strip the challenge of the encounter.
To complicate things further, creatures in D&D have roles. They aren't generally stated, (I'm not so certain whether or not they actually state the role of the creature in 4th edition) so you need to find out what role the creature plays. Some creatures are only at their best when they are at least 2 CR higher than the party's level.
Remember that if a encounter doesn't seem like it's challenging, you don't have to give the full XP for that encounter. Likewise, if it seems too challenging for it's encounter level, you should hand out more XP. Finally, don't fall into the trap of thinking all encounters must be a challenge. This is especially true with encounters that have an ECL equal to or less than that of the party.
This post last edited on 6/20/2008 12:54:47 AM
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LoneStarNorth
Monsterkeeper
6/19/2008 11:25:12 PM
PostID: 233656
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Yeah, in 4e they actually categorize the monsters by role. It's quite handy actually.
Also, monsters don't have to be the alpha and omega of an encounter. Terrain, traps, and specific objectives can make any combat more interesting. For example:
A pair of ogres in tall grass. What the PCs don't immediately realize is that they are accompanied by several goblins who can move trough the grass virtually unseen.
The battle takes place on a checker-board grid. Each turn either the red or black squares, or none, are electrified. They might simply alternate or have a specific pattern to be discerned.
Monsters are attacking unarmed civilians, who must be saved. This is a good way to make even weak monsters seem like a serious threat.
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cobaltvector
Dungeonkeeper
6/20/2008 12:50:34 AM
PostID: 233670
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Just take note that if the combat becomes harder because of dungeon dressing, the players should be compensated for it. The listed XP awards should always be thought of as a guideline.
This post last edited on 6/20/2008 12:53:29 AM
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