Is the Manual of Bodily Health retroactive?

[Gabe the Destroyer]

Basically, does it matter what level I use the manual at? Or, if I want all the bonus hp/level from the extra Constitution, should I try to get the manual as early in the game as possible?

If my fighter has 18 CON and I use the manual at level 8, will I have the same max HP as if I haded used the manual at level 1? (assuming I get max hp rolls each level)

[mike_hanna211]

Yes the CON bonus hit points are retro-active (+1 HP/level, like Flashburn noted above). If you lose CON, you will also lose hit points retro-actively.

[Diveyoc]

Question about this manual. I think I read that stats are capped at 19 for BG 1. My main character already has 19 constitution. If I use this manual, it bumps it to 20 however, no HP increase. Therefore it seems like a waste.

With that being said, should I still use it if I plan to use my character to play BG 2. Or should I just use it on a party member. In hindsight, it seems like I should not have started my character with 19 constitution, I could have put 1 point into something else.

[Emmental]

Originally posted by Diveyoc:

Question about this manual. I think I read that stats are capped at 19 for BG 1. My main character already has 19 constitution. If I use this manual, it bumps it to 20 however, no HP increase. Therefore it seems like a waste.

With that being said, should I still use it if I plan to use my character to play BG 2. Or should I just use it on a party member. In hindsight, it seems like I should not have started my character with 19 constitution, I could have put 1 point into something else.

http://baldursgate.wikia.com/wiki/Ability_Scores

http://baldursgate.wikia.com/wiki/Constitution

25 is the max for stats. 20 Con is where you start to get passive health regen.

[Zero]

Originally posted by Diveyoc:

Question about this manual. I think I read that stats are capped at 19 for BG 1. My main character already has 19 constitution. If I use this manual, it bumps it to 20 however, no HP increase. Therefore it seems like a waste.

With that being said, should I still use it if I plan to use my character to play BG 2. Or should I just use it on a party member. In hindsight, it seems like I should not have started my character with 19 constitution, I could have put 1 point into something else.

With 20 con you'll actually have minor hp regeneration. Stats are capped at 25, but you can't achieve those without equipment. There's a manual/codex for every stat in the game that permanently increases the stat by one, except wisdom. There are three of those. This will give you a breakdown of what stats do past 18: http://baldursgate.wikia.com/wiki/Ability_Scores

[Emmental]

I have mastered the art of invisibility.

[Diveyoc]

Originally posted by Dave:

http://baldursgate.wikia.com/wiki/Ability_Scores

http://baldursgate.wikia.com/wiki/Constitution

25 is the max for stats. 20 Con is where you start to get passive health regen.

Ok thanks, I guess I'll go ahead and use it then. And now I know why Minsc and Kivan are always the first ones to want rest.

I had gone through the manual, but the wiki had a lot of good info.

[Diveyoc]

Oh ya, that 20 constitution is well worth it. Had 35/72 HP and made a short travel between regions and it restored to 72/72. That will save some healing potions and spells.