A Case for Rolling HP Using average HP for monsters is easy but what's easy is rarely what's best. Rolling HP isn’t just a mechanic, it’s a storytelling tool. Here are 3 reasons I prefer to roll HP. #dnd #ttrpg #d&d - ThreadSky

thejacobshelby.bsky.social • 34 days ago

A Case for Rolling HP

Using average HP for monsters is easy but what's easy is rarely what's best. Rolling HP isn’t just a mechanic, it’s a storytelling tool. Here are 3 reasons I prefer to roll HP.

#dnd #ttrpg #d&d

Comments

tabletopmaster.bsky.social•34 days ago

I like your thoughts about this.
I don´t roll, but I also don´t give foes the same HP.
One of them is always the "alfa", and some always the weak.

thejacobshelby.bsky.social•34 days ago

If I'm running a group of homebrew monsters I might do the same.

htbm.bsky.social•33 days ago

HARD agree. I've always done this, even for on-the-fly or random encounters, and I think it's absolutely worth the extra few seconds it takes to do.

blackdragoncan.bsky.social•34 days ago

I always roll!

thejacobshelby.bsky.social•34 days ago

When every goblin has exactly 7 HP, combat risks becoming predictable. Not every creature in the world is identical and rolling HP reflects that natural unpredictability. It makes encounters dynamic, immersive, and true to the unpredictable world your players are exploring.

thejacobshelby.bsky.social•34 days ago

It also gives monsters their own personalities. A weaker goblin might hang back or flee, while a tougher one charges forward, taking on the role of the group’s muscle.

ktrey.bsky.social•34 days ago

I sometimes even like to "Overload" it, like I do for my "Goblin Project." Translating it into all sorts of other fun things!
https://blog.d4caltrops.com/search/label/goblin%20project
We even have some games where the *Players* roll their HD anew after Initiative at the start of Combat!

thejacobshelby.bsky.social•34 days ago

And then there’s the suspense, that moment when players realize, “This goblin just took two hits and it’s still standing?” Suddenly, the encounter feels unpredictable and thrilling.

miletharil.bsky.social•32 days ago

You know how sometimes you'll beat a bunch of goblins/orcs/etc, you loot them, and find healing potions. Somebody at the table always bemusedly asks, "Well, why didn't they use this?"

So, I started doing that. Now, sometimes the combats against "trash mobs" last longer, and there's a good reason.

ramenhamster.bsky.social•34 days ago

Very valid points! I like this idea. I've rolled for monster hp before, just for funsies really, but this makes so much sense!

thejacobshelby.bsky.social•34 days ago

Thanks! I think it offers enough benefits to make the (slight) effort worth it.

bardic.tools•34 days ago

This is also a great case for (*looks around to see if any players are listening*) fudging monster HP during the fight.

Nothing worse than someone landing the perfect, epic crit, and… and the dragon is left at 2HP.

As Matt Colville says, fight design doesn’t end just because you rolled initiative.

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