Sometimes a monster seems like it will fold far too quickly for it's CR, other times it's quite the opposite (especially with third party creations). Do you ever adjust the hit points of monsters, and what is your preference?
Yeah same. If I adjust that I'd probably just add HD and adjust the CR. If players don't get to roll - and no group I've played 5E with has ever rolled for HP - then I don't see why monsters would, doesn't really make sense. Sometimes I'd make them a few HP higher/lower just to avoid the actual precise number being obvious, but not usually even that.Vast majority of times it's average, every once in a while I adjust.
There are a couple of monsters from the MM that I bump up their HP, others I drop because of the role I want them to play in the encounter. The only thing I virtually never do is change HP on the fly, what I had down at the start of the encounter is what they have.Yeah same. If I adjust that I'd probably just add HD and adjust the CR. If players don't get to roll - and no group I've played 5E with has ever rolled for HP - then I don't see why monsters would, doesn't really make sense. Sometimes I'd make them a few HP higher/lower just to avoid the actual precise number being obvious, but not usually even that.
My players roll for their PCs, and I roll for the monsters.Yeah same. If I adjust that I'd probably just add HD and adjust the CR. If players don't get to roll - and no group I've played 5E with has ever rolled for HP - then I don't see why monsters would, doesn't really make sense. Sometimes I'd make them a few HP higher/lower just to avoid the actual precise number being obvious, but not usually even that.
Yeah it seems like those two approaches should be connected, generally.My players roll for their PCs, and I roll for the monsters.