D&D 5E Do you ever roll for monster HPs in 5E?

[el-remmen]

I think you did, but my oldmanitis may have kicked in.

Oh man, the -itis is nothing to mess with.

 

[Distracted DM]

I have a module that does this in Foundry- and the A5e foundry system has the feature included. So yeah I roll HP automatically for everything except bosses and named NPCs. For some reason I love the same type of enemies not having the same HP.
In-person games? Nope.

 

[Orius]

I've never run 5e, but I would roll if I did, just like every other edition. Experienced players are likely to know the average hp, and I prefer presenting uncertainties to them. They're likely to ballpark a rough estimate anyway, but why should I make it easy for them? Gives 'em something to do between turns.

 

[Distracted DM]

I have a module that does this in Foundry- and the A5e foundry system has the feature included. So yeah I roll HP automatically for everything except bosses and named NPCs. For some reason I love the same type of enemies not having the same HP.
In-person games? Nope.

I also have the Health Estimate module, which provides Baldur's Gate 1+2-style "unharmed, injured, badly injured, near death" when you hover over a token. I should rename Badly Injured (<50%) to Bloodied but I can't bring myself to alter my beloved BG2s' terminology.

 

[DragonLancer]

Haven't rolled monster/NPC hit points since 1st edition. I prefer to give max HP simply because player characters are often more powerful than the monsters, so this makes the encounters more balanced.

 

[Hexmage-EN]

I don't roll and use the average for most monsters, but if I want some to be minions I use the lowest possible result, and if I want one to be a boss I use the maximum possible result.

 

[CleverNickName]

I don't roll and use the average for most monsters, but if I want some to be minions I use the lowest possible result, and if I want one to be a boss I use the maximum possible result.

This is a really good way to do it. Short and sweet.