Isabella Carter
In the tabletop role-playing game Pathfinder, a character's Constitution score represents their health and stamina. A character's Constitution modifier is applied to each roll of a Hit Die, with a penalty never reducing the result below 1. This means that a character always gains at least 1 hit point each time they advance in level. When a character levels up, they gain more Hit Points by rolling the dice of the class they take for this level and adding their Constitution bonus (with a minimum of 1 after the Constitution bonus). For example, a character with a Constitution score of 15 who levels up to a Constitution score of 16 would gain 7 additional hit points.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What does Constitution represent? | Your character's health and stamina |
| What does a Constitution bonus do? | Increases a character's hit points |
| Do all creatures have a Constitution score? | No, some creatures such as undead and constructs do not have a Constitution score |
| What is the Constitution modifier for creatures with no Constitution score? | +0 for any Constitution-based checks |
| What happens when a character's Constitution score is 0? | The character is dead |
| How does the Constitution modifier affect hit points? | It is applied to each roll of a Hit Die, with a penalty never dropping the result below 1 |
| Can a character lose HP by levelling up? | No, a character always gains at least 1 hit point each time they advance in level |
| How does the Constitution modifier affect levelling up? | Each time a character gains a level, they gain 1 additional Hit Die. They roll that Hit Die, add their Constitution modifier to the roll, and add the total (minimum of 1) to their hit point maximum |
| Can a negative Constitution modifier decrease starting hit points? | Yes, unless there is a minimum specified for the modifier or total |
| Can the Constitution modifier be doubled? | Yes, the Durable feat can sometimes double the CON modifier |
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What You'll Learn
A character's Constitution score changing
A character's Constitution score in Pathfinder represents their health and stamina. A bonus to their Constitution score increases a character's hit points, so the ability is important across all classes.
If a character's Constitution score changes enough to alter their Constitution modifier, their hit points will also increase or decrease accordingly. For example, if a character reaches the 8th level and uses their ability score point to increase their Constitution score from 15 to 16, their modifier will increase by one, and they will gain 7 additional hit points.
Some creatures, such as undead and constructs, do not have a Constitution score. Their modifier is +0 for any Constitution-based checks. A character with a Constitution score of 0 is dead.
Temporary increases to a character's Constitution score grant a bonus on their Fortitude saving throws. In this case, the player must multiply their total Hit Dice by this bonus and add that amount to their current and total hit points. When the bonus ends, the total must be removed from the current and total hit points.
Damage to a character's Constitution score causes them to take penalties on their Fortitude saving throws. In this case, the player must multiply their total Hit Dice by this penalty and subtract that amount from their current and total hit points. Lost hit points are restored when the damage to the character's Constitution is healed.
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Applying modifiers retroactively
In Pathfinder, modifiers are adjusted retroactively by level if their pertinent ability scores are altered. For example, if a character reaches 8th level and uses the ability score point to increase their Constitution from 15 to 16, this increases the modifier by one. So, in addition to rolling their new hit points+Con mod, they would also get seven additional hit points, as you apply your new Con mod to your previous hit die rolls.
A character's Constitution modifier for hit points is applied retroactively. A character's Constitution score represents their health and stamina, and a Constitution bonus increases a character's hit points, so the ability is important for all classes.
Some creatures, such as undead and constructs, do not have a Constitution score. Their modifier is +0 for any Constitution-based checks. A character with a Constitution score of 0 is dead. You apply your character's Constitution modifier to each roll of a Hit Die (though a penalty can never drop a result below 1).
Retroactive modifiers also apply to skill points from permanent Intelligence increases. For example, if a character would have had 28 skill points at level 4 with a +4 Int modifier, they would now have 32 skill points with a +5 Int modifier.
Additionally, a character's Strength and Dexterity modifiers are also applied retroactively. Strength measures muscle and physical power and is important for melee combat, while Dexterity measures agility, reflexes, and balance and is important for ranged combat.
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Constitution score of 1
In Pathfinder, a character's Constitution score represents their health and stamina. A bonus to one's Constitution increases their hit points, making it an important ability for all classes.
A character with a Constitution score of 1 is very close to death. If the damage to a character's Constitution score is equal to or greater than their current score, the character dies. A character with a Constitution score of 0 is dead.
A character's Constitution modifier for hit points is applied retroactively. For example, if a character at level 8 uses an ability score point to increase their Constitution score from 15 to 16, their modifier increases by one. So, in addition to rolling their new hit points + Con mod, they also get seven additional hit points, as the new Con mod is applied to their previous hit die rolls.
The importance of a high Constitution score is a topic of discussion among Pathfinder players. Some argue that it is an incredibly important ability as it determines a character's health and stamina, and it is difficult to "dump" this stat without becoming an easy target in combat. Others argue that it is not a "useful" ability score as it does not contribute to any skills, feats, attack rolls, spells, or most class features. Instead, they suggest that Constitution could be made more important by adding Con skills or universal mechanics.
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Negative Constitution modifiers
In Pathfinder, Constitution represents a character's health and stamina. A Constitution bonus increases a character's hit points, so the ability is important for all classes. Some creatures, such as undead and constructs, do not have a Constitution score and their modifier is +0 for any Constitution-based checks. A character with a Constitution score of 0 is dead.
You apply your character's Constitution modifier to each roll of a Hit Die. A penalty can never drop a result below 1—that is, a character always gains at least 1 hit point each time they advance in level. For example, if a monster has a Constitution of 12 (+1 modifier) and 2d8 Hit Dice, it has 2d8 + 2 hit points (average 11).
If a character’s Constitution score changes enough to alter their Constitution modifier, their hit points also increase or decrease accordingly. Temporary Bonuses to your Constitution score give you a bonus on your Fortitude saving throws. In addition, multiply your total Hit Dice by this bonus and add that amount to your current and total hit points. When the bonus ends, remove this total from your current and total hit points. Permanent Bonuses with a duration greater than 1 day actually increase the relevant ability score after 24 hours. Modify all skills and statistics as appropriate. This might cause you to gain skill points, hit points, and other bonuses. These bonuses should be noted separately in case they are removed.
Ability Damage to your Constitution score causes you to take penalties on your Fortitude saving throws. Diseases, poisons, spells, and other abilities can all deal damage directly to your ability scores. This damage does not actually reduce an ability, but it does apply a penalty to the skills and statistics that are based on that ability. For every 2 points of damage you take to a single ability, apply a –1 penalty to skills and statistics listed with the relevant ability. If the amount of ability damage you have taken equals or exceeds your ability score, you immediately fall unconscious until the damage is less than your ability score.
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Increasing max HP
In Pathfinder, a character's Constitution score represents their health and stamina. A bonus to their Constitution increases a character's hit points, so the ability is important for all classes.
When creating a character, you start with hit points equal to the highest roll of your class' hit die, as indicated in your class description. You also add your Constitution modifier, which you determine in step 3. This is also your hit point maximum. Each time you gain a level, you gain 1 additional Hit Die. You roll that Hit Die, add your Constitution modifier to the roll, and add the total (minimum of 1) to your hit point maximum.
For example, if you have a Constitution score of 15 and gain a level, you can use an ability score point to bump your Constitution to 16. This increases the modifier by one, so in addition to rolling your new hit points and adding your Con mod, you also get 7 additional hit points. This is because you apply your new Con mod to your previous hit die rolls.
There are several ways to increase your maximum HP in Pathfinder. Firstly, you can choose a subclass that increases your maximum HP, such as the Draconic Bloodline subclass for sorcerers, which adds a hit point every time they level up. Secondly, you can use feats to increase your maximum HP. For example, the Durable feat doesn't impact your max health, but it does impact your hit dice and can sometimes double your CON modifier. Other feats that increase your CON include Crusher, Dragon Fear/Hide, Dwarven Fortitude, Infernal Constitution, Orcish Fury, Second Chance, and Tavern Brawler.
Finally, you can use magic items to increase your maximum HP. Most of these items work by increasing your CON ability score. For example, the Amulet of Health bumps your CON to 19, the Berserker Axe increases your HP by 1 for each level, and the Manual of Bodily Health increases your CON by 2.
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Frequently asked questions
A character's Constitution score represents their health and stamina. A Constitution bonus increases a character's hit points, so the ability is important for all classes. When a character gains a level, they gain 1 additional Hit Die. They then roll that Hit Die, add their Constitution modifier to the roll, and add the total (minimum of 1) to their hit point maximum.
Yes, you add your Constitution modifier to each roll of a Hit Die.
Yes, a monster's Constitution modifier also affects the number of hit points it has. Its Constitution modifier is multiplied by the number of Hit Dice it possesses, and the result is added to its hit points.
