Mister Doug
First Post
I have 2nd ed DMG: 4d6 drop highest arrange to taste was best in the book, and had "warning, may produce superpowered characters" on it. So, saying it was the preferred method doesn't seem to fit.
Saying it was the preferred method is pure unadulterated fact.
1st edition DMG, page 11, under "Generation of Ability Scores":
Method I:
All scores are recorded and arranged in the order the player desires. 4d6 are rolled and the lowest die (or one of the lower) is discarded.
The second edition DMG is not the place to go to so support or refute what was in 1st edition.