How to calculate the max HitPoints per level up?

Base hit points:

Fighter / paladin / ranger = 1d10
cleric / druid = 1d8
thief / bard = 1d6
wizard = 1d4

I don't recall the three "special" classes right off hand, but I believe barbarian is 1d12, monk is 1d8, and sorcerer is 1d4.

Constitution bonus / penalty to hit points:

Constitution score of 3 to 5 = -1 penalty to hit points per level
Constitution score of 6 to 14 = no bonus
Constitution score of 15 = 1 bonus hit point per level
Constitution score of 16 = 2 bonus hit points per level

At this point, there are differences based on your class. Fighters, paladins, rangers, and barbarians keep getting additional hit points for high constitution. This includes multi-classed and dual-classed fighters. All other classes receive no benefit for a constitution higher than 16.

Constitution score of 17 = 3 bonus hit points per level
Constitution score of 18 = 4 bonus hit points per level
Constitution score of 19 to 20 = 5 bonus hit points per level
Constitution score of 21 to 23 = 6 bonus hit points per level
Constitution score of 24 to 25 = 7 bonus hit points per level

Now this is the way multi-classes get hit points. When you level up in a class, you get half the hit points you would normally receive. For example, you are a fighter/cleric with 18 Con. Your fighter class levels up and you get (1d10+4)/2 hit points. Your cleric class levels up and you get (1d8+2)/2 hit points.

Your starting HP should also be what your maximum can be.

But only until lv9 at lv10 and onwards you receive only a flat HP rate.


Yeah, I forgot to mention that.

It sure is different from 3rd edition, where you keep gaining your hit die roll for every level up. Fighters can get 400+ hit points in 3rd edition. In 2nd edition, a level 40 fighter with 18 Con is only going to have around 150 hit points.....

^^^ Well, I was talking about a level 40 fighter.... you aren't going to get anywhere near that in BG1. You need BG2+ToB to reach epic levels.

If I remember right, a fighter can reach at most level 8 in BG1. So with 18 Con that is 8(1d10+4) hit points which would be a maximum of 112 hit points.

A level 40 fighter would have 9(1d10+4) + 31(3) hit points which would be a maximum of 219 hit points.

In 3rd edition, a level 40 fighter with 18 Con would have 40(1d10+4) hit points which would be a maximum of 560 hit points. More than double the 2nd edition counterpart. lol