Omar Bennett
In Dungeons and Dragons, a character's Constitution score represents their health, vitality, stamina, and vital force. It is one of the six primary ability scores in the game and is important for every class. When a character's Constitution score drops, they lose one hit point per Hit Die for every point by which their Constitution modifier drops. This can happen when a creature performs a melee attack that drains ability scores, such as a critical hit. The number of hit points lost is equal to the number of points drained by the creature, and the creature gains temporary hit points for a maximum of one hour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Constitution score | Represents a character's health, stamina, and vitality |
| Hit points | A character's hit point total is based on their class's unique hit dice and their Constitution bonus |
| Hit Die | For every point a character's Constitution modifier drops, they lose 1 hit point per Hit Die |
| Ability damage | Returns at a rate of 1 point per day for each affected ability, unless specified otherwise |
| Constitution modifier | Contributes to a character's number of healing surges per day |
| Fortitude defense | A character's Constitution modifier contributes to their Fortitude defense |
| Constitution saves | Used for practically every situation in which a character needs to resist a physical effect, such as poison, disease, and exhaustion |
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What You'll Learn
- A character loses 1 hit point per Hit Die for every point their Constitution modifier drops
- Hit point score can't be reduced to less than 1 hit point per Hit Die
- Ability damage returns at a rate of 1 point per day
- Temporary hit points gained from draining abilities last for a maximum of 1 hour
- A character with a higher Constitution lasts longer in combat
A character loses 1 hit point per Hit Die for every point their Constitution modifier drops
In Dungeons & Dragons, a character's Constitution score represents their health and vitality. It is one of the six primary ability scores in the game and is important to every character. Constitution determines a character's health points (HP) and their ability to recover HP.
When a character's Constitution score drops, they lose 1 hit point per Hit Die for every point by which their Constitution modifier drops. For example, at the 7th level, a character with a Constitution score of 16 is hit by poison, causing their score to drop to 13. Their Constitution modifier falls from +3 to +1, so they lose 14 hit points (2 per level). If their Constitution score drops further to 5, their modifier becomes -3, and they lose another 28 hit points, for a total loss of 42 hit points due to the overall 6-point drop in their Constitution modifier.
It is important to note that a character's hit point score cannot be reduced by Constitution damage or drain to less than 1 hit point per Hit Die. Additionally, a creature reduced to 0 Constitution dies regardless of its current hit points.
Constitution also plays a crucial role in determining a character's endurance and their ability to resist physical effects, such as poison, disease, and exhaustion. For example, a Dragonborn's breath weapon's damage is based on the character's Constitution modifier. Goliaths with Stone Giant ancestry can use Constitution to reduce the damage they take.
While Constitution is important, the amount players invest in it may depend on their class and playstyle. Some classes have alternative methods to avoid or soak up damage, reducing their reliance on Constitution.
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Hit point score can't be reduced to less than 1 hit point per Hit Die
In Dungeons & Dragons, a character's Constitution score represents their health and vitality. It is one of the six primary ability scores in the game and is one of three "physical" scores, along with Strength and Dexterity. Constitution determines how tough a character is, how long they can last in combat, and how many times they can get hit.
Constitution is important for all classes, as it increases a character's Hit Points (HP) and HP recovery. A character's Constitution modifier contributes to their number of healing surges per day. The higher the Constitution, the more HP a character will have. For example, a Barbarian with 18 CON gets 1D12+4 HP when she levels up, while a Sorcerer with nine CON only gets 1D6-1 HP (with a minimum of one).
When a character's Constitution score drops, they lose 1 hit point per Hit Die for every point their Constitution modifier drops. However, a hit point score can’t be reduced by Constitution damage or drain to less than 1 hit point per Hit Die. This is because the ability score loss rules state that ability damage returns at a rate of 1 point per day for each affected ability. Additionally, spells like Lesser Restoration and Restoration can offset ability damage.
It is important to note that Constitution does not directly add any bonuses to a character's roll to hit someone or increase the damage dealt. However, it does contribute to certain class and species abilities. For example, Dragonborn can use their Constitution modifier to increase the damage of their breath weapon. Additionally, Goliaths with Stone Giant ancestry can use Constitution to reduce the damage they take.
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Ability damage returns at a rate of 1 point per day
In D&D, ability damage returns at a rate of 1 point per day. This rate can be doubled to 2 points per day if the character gets complete bed rest. Additionally, the spells "lesser restoration" and "restoration" can offset ability damage.
The ability to drain ability scores is a supernatural power that some creatures possess, requiring them to perform some sort of attack. If an attack that causes ability damage scores a critical hit, it deals twice the indicated amount of damage.
For example, if a character's Constitution score is drained, they will lose 1 hit point per Hit Die for every point by which their Constitution modifier drops. However, their hit point score cannot be reduced by Constitution damage or drain to less than 1 hit point per Hit Die.
It is important to note that ability damage and ability drain are not the same thing in D&D. Ability damage recovers over time or with magical healing, while ability drain is permanent unless reversed by magical means.
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Temporary hit points gained from draining abilities last for a maximum of 1 hour
In Dungeons and Dragons, a character's Constitution score represents their health, stamina, and vital force. It is one of the six primary ability scores in the game and is important for every character. A higher Constitution score means a character can fight off diseases and poisons more easily, last longer in combat, and suffer less from a lack of food. Constitution also increases a character's hit points (HP) and their HP recovery.
Temporary hit points can be gained through draining abilities. For example, when a creature's attack causes ability drain, it gains 5 temporary hit points (10 on a critical hit) that last for a maximum of 1 hour. It is important to note that temporary hit points are not added to a character's normal HP, and they do not bring a character back from unconsciousness. Instead, they can absorb damage while a character is unconscious, and the character will have these temporary hit points remaining when they awaken if they receive healing while still unconscious.
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A character with a higher Constitution lasts longer in combat
A character's Constitution score in D&D represents their health, stamina, and vital force. It is one of the six primary ability scores in the game and is crucial in determining a character's maximum number of hit points (HP).
Constitution also affects a character's ability to push themselves beyond their normal limits. This could mean the difference between life and death in a combat situation. A Barbarian with a high Constitution score, for instance, can unlock the ability to resist dying when their HP drops to zero by rolling a Constitution save.
Furthermore, a character with a higher Constitution is less likely to suffer from a lack of food, and they are better able to fight off diseases and poisons. This means they are less likely to be weakened by external factors during combat.
Overall, while Constitution may not seem as attractive as other attributes at first glance, it plays a crucial role in determining a character's longevity in combat.
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Frequently asked questions
Constitution (CON) is a measure of a character's health, stamina, and vital force. It represents how tough a character is.
If your character's Constitution score drops, they lose 1 hit point per Hit Die for every point by which their Constitution modifier drops. Their hit point score can’t be reduced by Constitution damage or drain to less than 1 hit point per Hit Die.
Your character's hit point total (HP) is based on their class’s unique hit dice and their Constitution bonus. Every two points in Constitution stat after 10 increases that bonus by +1.
Constitution contributes to your character's maximum number of hit points and their number of healing surges per day. It also helps them resist physical effects such as poison, disease, and exhaustion.
Yes, Barbarians benefit from Constitution a bit more than other classes because their Unarmored Defense ability lets them add their Constitution modifier to their armor class.
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