Difference between revisions of "Hit dice"
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''"HD" redirects here. For the obsolete player race, see [[Hill Dwarf]]'' | ''"HD" redirects here. For the obsolete player race, see [[Hill Dwarf]]'' | ||
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Each monster has a set HD value. It has an effect on the following: | Each monster has a set HD value. It has an effect on the following: | ||
| − | *Monster accuracy. Melee [[to-hit]] equals <code>18 + HD * 1.5</code>, or <code>18 + HD * 2.5</code> with the [[Fighter flag]]. Beam to-hit is <code>12*HD</code>. | + | *Monster accuracy. Melee [[to-hit]] equals <code>18 + HD * 1.5</code>, or <code>18 + HD * 2.5</code> with the [[Fighter flag]]. Beam to-hit is <code>12 * HD</code>. |
*Monster [[spell power]]. The more HD, the stronger the spell. The exact effect depends on the spell in question. | *Monster [[spell power]]. The more HD, the stronger the spell. The exact effect depends on the spell in question. | ||
| − | *Some [[attack flavour]]s are modified by HD. For example, the "cold" attack flavour deals more damage | + | **The effectiveness of certain items, like [[wand]]s and the [[pain brand]], are also affected by HD. |
| − | *Certain player effects, like [[Dazzling Flash]], [[Mephitic Cloud]], and [[atropa]] / [[datura]] [[dart]]s, check HD directly. The way HD is checked depends on the effect itself. | + | *Some [[attack flavour]]s are modified by HD. For example, the "cold" attack flavour deals more damage if the attacker has more HD. |
| + | *Certain player effects, like [[Dazzling Flash]], [[Mephitic Cloud]], and [[atropa]] / [[datura]] [[dart]]s, check the target's HD directly. The way HD is checked depends on the effect itself. | ||
| − | Maximum HP and [[willpower]] are also determined by HD | + | Maximum HP and [[willpower]] are also determined by HD in an indirect way. Monsters have a predefined HP/will value based on their type, independent from their HD (e.g. [[hydra]]s and [[cacodemon]]s both have 13 HD, but different HP and will values). However, lowering HD lowers a monster's HP/will, while increasing HD has the opposite effect. |
Some examples: [[hobgoblin]]s and most other D:1 monsters have 1 HD, [[ogre (monster)|ogre]]s have 5, [[ancient lich]]es have 27. [[Cerebov]] only has 21, despite its fearsome spells. The highest-HD monsters are [[orb of fire|orbs of fire]], at 30: this is why they deal so much damage with their spells. | Some examples: [[hobgoblin]]s and most other D:1 monsters have 1 HD, [[ogre (monster)|ogre]]s have 5, [[ancient lich]]es have 27. [[Cerebov]] only has 21, despite its fearsome spells. The highest-HD monsters are [[orb of fire|orbs of fire]], at 30: this is why they deal so much damage with their spells. | ||
| − | ===Modifying | + | ===Modifying=== |
The player can temporarily reduce monsters' HD by [[draining]] them (weapons of [[draining (brand)|draining]], certain other [[negative energy]]-based attacks), or by [[Malmutate|malmutating]] them (such as from [[Irradiate]]). | The player can temporarily reduce monsters' HD by [[draining]] them (weapons of [[draining (brand)|draining]], certain other [[negative energy]]-based attacks), or by [[Malmutate|malmutating]] them (such as from [[Irradiate]]). | ||
Latest revision as of 09:32, 14 November 2025
"HD" redirects here. For the obsolete player race, see Hill Dwarf
Hit dice (HD) is roughly equivalent to a monster's experience level; it is not the same as hit points.
Useful Info
Each monster has a set HD value. It has an effect on the following:
- Monster accuracy. Melee to-hit equals
18 + HD * 1.5, or18 + HD * 2.5with the Fighter flag. Beam to-hit is12 * HD. - Monster spell power. The more HD, the stronger the spell. The exact effect depends on the spell in question.
- The effectiveness of certain items, like wands and the pain brand, are also affected by HD.
- Some attack flavours are modified by HD. For example, the "cold" attack flavour deals more damage if the attacker has more HD.
- Certain player effects, like Dazzling Flash, Mephitic Cloud, and atropa / datura darts, check the target's HD directly. The way HD is checked depends on the effect itself.
Maximum HP and willpower are also determined by HD in an indirect way. Monsters have a predefined HP/will value based on their type, independent from their HD (e.g. hydras and cacodemons both have 13 HD, but different HP and will values). However, lowering HD lowers a monster's HP/will, while increasing HD has the opposite effect.
Some examples: hobgoblins and most other D:1 monsters have 1 HD, ogres have 5, ancient liches have 27. Cerebov only has 21, despite its fearsome spells. The highest-HD monsters are orbs of fire, at 30: this is why they deal so much damage with their spells.
Modifying
The player can temporarily reduce monsters' HD by draining them (weapons of draining, certain other negative energy-based attacks), or by malmutating them (such as from Irradiate).
For Summonings spells, you can increase HD of your summons by increasing spell power.
