A few basic questions about HD... [Archive] - Wizards Community

A few basic questions about HD... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Segan
03-09-07, 10:02 AM Hello everyone

After looking through the forum I thought, this would be the best place to ask.
I'm new to D&D and started to read the Core Rulebooks v3.5. Now, there's something I just don't feel I understand it right no matter how many times I reread. Maybe it's because English isn't exactly my native language.

Anyway, what's bugging me is that I can't figure out how Hit Dice works when it comes to Level Adjustment and spells that involves HD in one or another way.

For example, the Player's Handbook explains a cleric's attempt to turn an undead:
A 1st level cleric with average Charisma score rolls 19 for a turning check, which enables him to turn a wight (4 HD). Now there's my question: Does this mean, the cleric can attempt to turn any undead which have no more than 4 "rolled" dice? If so, does this mean an undead with a HD of 4d4 is technically the same as another undead with a HD of 4d12, when determining the effects of turning?
And how does it work on an undead with HD 4d12+13? Has the number 13 any meaning in the whole turning process?

Then about Level Adjustment:
For example, an ogre mage has got HD 5d8+15 and LA +7, which means (if it's simply going by the number of "rolled" dice) it would start at lvl 12 when played as PC, right? But again, does the number 15 affect the effective character level?

Thanks in advance for answering.
RobbyPants
03-09-07, 10:18 AM Hello everyone

After looking through the forum I thought, this would be the best place to ask.
I'm new to D&D and started to read the Core Rulebooks v3.5. Now, there's something I just don't feel I understand it right no matter how many times I reread. Maybe it's because English isn't exactly my native language.

Anyway, what's bugging me is that I can't figure out how Hit Dice works when it comes to Level Adjustment and spells that involves HD in one or another way.

For example, the Player's Handbook explains a cleric's attempt to turn an undead:
A 1st level cleric with average Charisma score rolls 19 for a turning check, which enables him to turn a wight (4 HD).
So far so good...

Now there's my question: Does this mean, the cleric can attempt to turn any undead which have no more than 4 "rolled" dice? If so, does this mean an undead with a HD of 4d4 is technically the same as another undead with a HD of 4d12, when determining the effects of turning?
And how does it work on an undead with HD 4d12+13? Has the number 13 any meaning in the whole turning process?
All you're looking at is the number of dice. You're correct in that 4d4 is four hit dice as is 4d12. The +13 has no effect on the number of hit dice. That's just additional hit points from Con modifiers, feats, etc...

Also, as a side note, undead always have d12 hit dice

Then about Level Adjustment:
For example, an ogre mage has got HD 5d8+15 and LA +7, which means (if it's simply going by the number of "rolled" dice) it would start at lvl 12 when played as PC, right? But again, does the number 15 affect the effective character level?
Correct. That would be ECL (Effective Character Level) 12. Also, remember that it is figured without any class levels. So if you added in one level of fighter (or whatever), it would be ECL 13 (5 HD + 7 LA + 1 level). Again, the +15 has no effect whatsoever on calculating ECL. It is just additional hit points from various modifiers. The actual number of hit dice is what's important.

Thanks in advance for answering.
No problem ;) Hope I helped.
Segan
03-09-07, 10:20 AM So far so good...

All you're looking at is the number of dice. You're correct in that 4d4 is four hit dice as is 4d12. The +13 has no effect on the number of hit dice. That's just additional hit points from Con modifiers, feats, etc...

Also, as a side note, undead always have d12 hit dice

Correct. That would be ECL (Effective Character Level) 12. Also, remember that it is figured without any class levels. So if you added in one level of fighter (or whatever), it would be ECL 13 (5 HD + 7 LA + 1 level). Again, the +15 has no effect whatsoever on calculating ECL. It is just additional hit points from various modifiers. The actual number of hit dice is what's important.

No problem ;) Hope I helped.

Thanks, you really helped me :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Segan 03-09-07, 10:02 AM	Hello everyone After looking through the forum I thought, this would be the best place to ask. I'm new to D&D and started to read the Core Rulebooks v3.5. Now, there's something I just don't feel I understand it right no matter how many times I reread. Maybe it's because English isn't exactly my native language. Anyway, what's bugging me is that I can't figure out how Hit Dice works when it comes to Level Adjustment and spells that involves HD in one or another way. For example, the Player's Handbook explains a cleric's attempt to turn an undead: A 1st level cleric with average Charisma score rolls 19 for a turning check, which enables him to turn a wight (4 HD). Now there's my question: Does this mean, the cleric can attempt to turn any undead which have no more than 4 "rolled" dice? If so, does this mean an undead with a HD of 4d4 is technically the same as another undead with a HD of 4d12, when determining the effects of turning? And how does it work on an undead with HD 4d12+13? Has the number 13 any meaning in the whole turning process? Then about Level Adjustment: For example, an ogre mage has got HD 5d8+15 and LA +7, which means (if it's simply going by the number of "rolled" dice) it would start at lvl 12 when played as PC, right? But again, does the number 15 affect the effective character level? Thanks in advance for answering.
RobbyPants 03-09-07, 10:18 AM	Hello everyone After looking through the forum I thought, this would be the best place to ask. I'm new to D&D and started to read the Core Rulebooks v3.5. Now, there's something I just don't feel I understand it right no matter how many times I reread. Maybe it's because English isn't exactly my native language. Anyway, what's bugging me is that I can't figure out how Hit Dice works when it comes to Level Adjustment and spells that involves HD in one or another way. For example, the Player's Handbook explains a cleric's attempt to turn an undead: A 1st level cleric with average Charisma score rolls 19 for a turning check, which enables him to turn a wight (4 HD). So far so good... Now there's my question: Does this mean, the cleric can attempt to turn any undead which have no more than 4 "rolled" dice? If so, does this mean an undead with a HD of 4d4 is technically the same as another undead with a HD of 4d12, when determining the effects of turning? And how does it work on an undead with HD 4d12+13? Has the number 13 any meaning in the whole turning process? All you're looking at is the number of dice. You're correct in that 4d4 is four hit dice as is 4d12. The +13 has no effect on the number of hit dice. That's just additional hit points from Con modifiers, feats, etc... Also, as a side note, undead always have d12 hit dice Then about Level Adjustment: For example, an ogre mage has got HD 5d8+15 and LA +7, which means (if it's simply going by the number of "rolled" dice) it would start at lvl 12 when played as PC, right? But again, does the number 15 affect the effective character level? Correct. That would be ECL (Effective Character Level) 12. Also, remember that it is figured without any class levels. So if you added in one level of fighter (or whatever), it would be ECL 13 (5 HD + 7 LA + 1 level). Again, the +15 has no effect whatsoever on calculating ECL. It is just additional hit points from various modifiers. The actual number of hit dice is what's important. Thanks in advance for answering. No problem ;) Hope I helped.
Segan 03-09-07, 10:20 AM	So far so good... All you're looking at is the number of dice. You're correct in that 4d4 is four hit dice as is 4d12. The +13 has no effect on the number of hit dice. That's just additional hit points from Con modifiers, feats, etc... Also, as a side note, undead always have d12 hit dice Correct. That would be ECL (Effective Character Level) 12. Also, remember that it is figured without any class levels. So if you added in one level of fighter (or whatever), it would be ECL 13 (5 HD + 7 LA + 1 level). Again, the +15 has no effect whatsoever on calculating ECL. It is just additional hit points from various modifiers. The actual number of hit dice is what's important. No problem ;) Hope I helped. Thanks, you really helped me :)