What I read online about leveling seems inconsistent with what's in the instruction book.


I'm guessing hit dice decide a random number of hit points that you can get when leveling (Why do the implement random crap in games anyway? All it does is lead to lots of wasted time reloading.)?

And how do you get as much bang for your level as possible?

The tweak pack in the Planescape: Torment mods guide allows you to maximize HP gained each level.

It's an artifact of the game's source material and system, Dungeons & Dragons. Though some DMs are more lenient than others, it is generally assumed your DM will be looking over your shoulder when you roll the next level's hit dice. Hit Dice, or HD, also refers to the number of dice which comprise any given enemy's hit points. The latter is useful in determining the effects of spells you cast which are limited to enemies of a certain maximum HD or similar such stuff, but the former (the random HP) is, as you say, merely a nuissance in a video game.

You didn't mention, but if you installed the mods as the guide suggests you already get the maximum, there's no randomness. As Jozape said, the fix is in the tweak pack.