Rangers and armour.

[kibosh]

My Ranger player pointed out yesterday that he should actually start with 2 hit dice at 1st level. Is that right? 2d6 hp? Is it just me, or does that seem like a bit much? I know this is probably due to the fact that Rangers started out with 2d6 in the source material, but that doesn't exactly jive with the rest of the classes, in my opinion. Especially since the character in question has 18 CON, and I allowed for max HP at level 1. This guy has 15 HP! That's 3.5 territory! And even then, that's 3.5 Barbarian with 18 CON. >_> That's the most possible HP you can start with without the Toughness Feats.

I have been thinking about this recently with regards to some kind of preliminary organized play rules. I really like the idea of characters starting with max HP at first level, but then the Ranger and Monk gain a pretty substantial benefit (especially if using the advanced HD). So I have decided to change it a little: players will receive max HP only for their first HD. What do other people think about going that route?

[Dyson Logos]

Kibosh - that's exactly how I handle it when I use the "max first hit die" rule (which I don't always do - depends on how hardcore my players are)

[johnnybleu]

Max HP on the first hit die only sounds like a good way to mitigate excessive ranger health at first level, without simply removing one HD. I'll propose the idea to my group and see how it goes.

Thanks for the input!

[Lord Kilgore]

So I have decided to change it a little: players will receive max HP only for their first HD. What do other people think about going that route

That's how we do it, also. Seems perfectly sensible.