In Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), "base health" often refers to a character's total hit points (HP), which represent their ability to withstand damage during gameplay. Hit points are a crucial aspect of character durability in combat and can be influenced by several factors, including a character's class, level, and Constitution modifier.
When a character is created, they start with a certain number of hit points based on their chosen class. Each class has a predefined hit die (like a d6, d8, d10, etc.) that determines how many hit points the character gains each time they level up.
For example
A fighter typically uses a d10 for their hit die, while a wizard uses a d6. This means that when a fighter levels up, they would roll a d10 to add to their hit points, while a wizard would roll a d6. - Additionally, each character has a Constitution score, which affects their hit points. For every point of Constitution modifier (calculated from the Constitution ability score), a character adds that modifier to their hit points at 1st level and again at each level after the first.
So, the formula for calculating a character's total hit points at level 1 is
Hit Points at 1st level = Hit die maximum + Constitution modifier
For levels beyond the first, it typically looks like this
Hit Points at higher levels = Previous total HP + (Hit die roll/average value + Constitution modifier)
This way, a character's hit points can significantly increase as they gain levels, depending on their class and Constitution score.
Understanding base health is fundamental in D&D, as it not only helps players gauge how long their characters can survive in fights but also impacts their overall strategy in encounters. Players often consider maximizing their Constitution for better survival rates or selecting classes that offer higher base hit points based on their gameplay style. Players might also invest in magical items or spells that enhance health or restore hit points, further influencing their character's survivability.