Changing HP calculations - how does it affect balance?

[Belial_the_Leveler]

What would change if HP was calculated like this?

1) For every level you have, add the hit die size. I.e. wizard 5 adds 4x5 = 20 while barbarian 3 wizard 2 adds 3x12 + 2x4 = 44.

2) Multiply your best hit die size by (constitution score -10), then add it to the total.

3) Multiply the result by 0.6, rounding up.


I.e wizard 5 with Con 12 has 17 hp, barbarian 5 with Con 18 has 94 hp, barbarian 3 wizard 2 with Con 15 has 63 hp. Wizard 20 with 16 Con has 63 hp. Barbarian 20 with 30 Con has 288 hp. The change is so that larger HD will actually matter, and high constitution doesn't immediately nullify low HD.

[BowStreetRunner]

I would just compare your numbers to the average hp to get an idea of how it compares. Average hp would use 1/2 die size +.5 (so d4 = 2.5, d12 = 6.5) for each level, plus the con modifier. So wizard 5 would be 2.5 x 5 = 12.5 while barbarian 3 wizard 2 would be (6.5 x 3) + (2.5 x 2) = 24.5.

wizard 5 with Con 12 has 17.5 hp vs your 17 hp
barbarian 5 with Con 18 has 52.5 hp vs your 94 hp
barbarian 3 wizard 2 with Con 15 has 34.5 hp vs your 63 hp
Wizard 20 with 16 Con has 110 hp vs your 63 hp
Barbarian 20 with 30 Con has 330 hp vs your 288 hp