One thing has always been bugging me, according to p. 198 of the Dungeon Master's Guide, "instead of rolling for hit points when she gains a level, a player may (...) take the average roll for the class".
I understand how the average roll works, but does that mean that a fighter with 5 HD (and a CON mod of +1) gets:
- (5.5 + CON mod) x 5 hit points for a total of 32
Or does she get
- 10 HP + CON mod at level 1 and then (5.5 + CON mod) x 4 because of the other 4 HD for a total of 37
Monster's hit points in the Monster Manual follow the first rule while the Player's Handbook states that you get max hit points at first level. Furthermore, I bolded part of the quote above that can be used in the interpretation of the rule, is having 1st-level considered gaining a level?