This is a really foreign concept to me, because I feel the reverse. Standard array feels like I'm playing a NPC, someone identical to everyone else at the table. Rolled stats feels like my own PC, and point buy is probably the best compromise for me, as it allows lots of variation within fair boundaries. .
I think 5e point buy is pretty fast. By eliminating options above 15, I'm finding fewer options for egregious min-maxing.
You and me both, for the exact same reasons. The very nature of conformity doesn't exactly lend towards uniqueness. I've never once had a character concept in my mind and thought, "Dang, now it just feels like I'm running an NPC rather than my own character because I rolled a 17 for strength instead of my array 15 like every other fighter."
Not every fighter takes the 15 Str. There are Dex-based fighters. There's also racial modifiers to apply before you start play, so even with an array, chances are no two fighters will have the exact same Str score, unless they both pick +2 Str races. Besides, having the same stat in the same spot as another character, even one of the same class, doesn't make you identical. There's also the equipment choice, the fighting style choice, the martial archetype choice, then alignment, languages, personal characteristics, ideals, bonds, flaws, backgrounds, then multiclassing and feats to consider. All of which customizes and distinguishes the characters is subtle and not-so-subtle ways.
I've never advocated standard array.Standard array feels like I'm playing a NPC, someone identical to everyone else at the table.
In 1e/2e, short of getting a 16+, the ability scores had very little impact on anything other than qualifying you for a particular class. But now, all those +1's and -1's matter.That said, individual stats play a much bigger role nowadays than they used to. I'd hesitate before rolling nowadays.
This is a cool way to generate stats. What we do at my table is similar to this, except that we put the stats in a set (so if Bob rolled a 9, 11, 14, 13, 17, 10, that's one set, Alice has hers with a 12, 12, 15, 9, 11, 10), and anyone can pick whatever set they want. John can pick his set, Bob's set, Alice's set, or Jane's set, and everyone else can pick whatever one they want.
I'm certain the current role of stats in 5E is intentional, if that's what you're asking.However, are you sure that in 5e stats are supposed to matter less? Bounded accuracy has put a limit on how stats can effects rolls, but at the same time the designers have talked extensively about making the 6 abilities more central to the game than before.