I've used all the standard methods and a few I've come up with over the years. I like the customization of point buy but its inherent logic--you are going to be weak in an area or two if you are going to be truly exceptional in one--never sat well with me. And then the random rolls, while fun and exciting, are often as much a major let down if the rolls don't measure up to the concept.
That said, one of the methods I've liked is a hybrid between rolling and point buy.
1) Start with 8 in each ability.
2) Assign 15 points as desired. A min of 1 must be placed in each score, with no more than 9 points assigned to a single score. This provides a range from 9-17 for all stats.
3) Roll 1d6 6 times, assign one die to each score. No score can have a total greater than 18. This gives a range of 10-18 for all stats (before racial mods).
I've got a question for you guys:
What do you think of class-based ability modifiers?
I was thinking of something like:
Bard: Str -1, Cha +1.
Barbarian: Con +1, Int -1.
Cleric: Dex -1, Wis +1.
Druid: Int -1, Wis +1.
Fighter: +1 to any physical score, -1 to any mental.
Monk: Dex +1, Int -1, Wis +1, Cha -1.
Paladin: Dex -1, Cha +1.
Ranger: Dex +1, Int -1.
Rogue: Dex +1, Wis -1.
Sorcerer: Str -1, Cha +1.
Wizard: Str -1, Int +1.
