Common House Rules

Many DMs do not use the standard rules exactly as printed. Here are a few of the more common changes, and the reasons for doing them.

• At first level (only) the players have maximum hit points. The reason for this is simple survival, and to help the players enjoyment. A character with 1 HP will not be a lot of fun.
• In addition to the rules of "knocking on death's door", whereby a PC is unconscious between 0 and -10 hitpoints, there are changes such as making that between 0 and half (or even a third) CON. The reason is to make it more varied and more character specific.
• The stoneskin spell is often restricted in some way. Methods include making the duration 1 day, or only dealing with one "hit". The reason is simply to help in making it more of a challenge to the PCs.