Hit Points and Hit Dice
HP = max hit die + CON modifier at level 1, then roll or take average + CON each level. Hit dice are spent on short rests to recover HP.
Hit points measure a creature's capacity to absorb punishment before being incapacitated.
Starting HP (level 1): Maximum hit die value + Constitution modifier. Example: Fighter with CON 14 (+2) = 10 + 2 = 12 HP.
HP per level (levels 2+): Roll the class hit die (or take the average) + Constitution modifier. Average values:
| Hit Die | Average per level |
|---|---|
| d6 | 4 |
| d8 | 5 |
| d10 | 6 |
| d12 | 7 |
Hit Dice pool: You have a number of hit dice equal to your level (all the same die type for single-class characters).
Short rest recovery: Spend any number of hit dice, rolling each and adding your Constitution modifier. Regain that many HP.
Long rest recovery: Regain all lost HP and recover half your maximum hit dice (minimum 1).
Dropping to 0 HP: You fall unconscious and must make death saving throws (DC 10). Three successes before three failures stabilizes you. Three failures means death.
Instant death: If damage reduces you to 0 HP and the remaining damage equals or exceeds your hit point maximum, you die instantly. For example, a character with a maximum of 12 HP currently at 6 HP takes 18 damage — they drop to 0 HP with 12 damage remaining, which equals their max HP, so they die outright.
This work includes material from the System Reference Document 5.2.1 ("SRD 5.2.1") by Wizards of the Coast LLC, available at https://www.dndbeyond.com/srd. The SRD 5.2.1 is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, available at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode.