D&D 5E Favorite method of generating ability scores

[Huntsman57]

I prefer point buy. Players always want to roll until they find out what they rolled. Sometimes a player with have fun with a character with bad scores on RP grounds, but all too often you have someone who doesn't want a "crappy" character when the guy next door just rolled 3x 16+.

 

[Al2O3]

But the standard array forces the player to make some tough choices but guarantee ees that the character will be well-rounded. It also prevents mega-dumping a stat to get a boost in another - which come to think of it, is probably my issue with point buy.

My greatest problem with using the standard array (rather than seeing it as one possible result of point buy) is that it prevents players from using racial strengths while still avoiding a dump stat.

 

[Lanefan]

If I'm DM, dice are rolled: (for 1e) 5d6 drop two lowest (well, technically, drop any two; but it's pretty rare someone decides to drop anything other than the lowest). In 5e it'd be 4d6.

If I'm playing and rolling dice is an option, dice are rolled.

If I'm playing and rolling dice is not an option, I'm reconsidering whether I'm playing.

Lan-"while some characters flat-out have better numbers than others, that doesn't necessarily make them better characters"-efan

 

[mach1.9pants]

My fave by a margin is the Organic method from 3E (I think):

Organic Method:
Roll six times recording in order using the best 3 of 4d6. Re-roll any one ability score taking the best of the two. Then switch any two scores.

So you get high scores (though I use 3d6 in order when playing old school (0E/Basic OS), as high scores not really with the aesthetic IMO) and some choice but don't get:
1. The cookie cutter per class/concept that full point buy gives
2. The horror that some players have with pure in order methods
3. The occasional Wizard with a 15 Strength!
4. Massive dump scores, unless you are 'lucky'
5. Choice paralysis by new players.

But you do get:
6. A nice mix of choice and randomness

Yeah my fave by a long way. I used to be 3d6 in order, then point buy is only fair way, now a nice mix for me.

 

[Redthistle]

3d6, replace lowest die with 4 (even if it is a 5 or 6).
A little better on average than 4d6 drop lowest, but without 17 and 18 or stats below 6.

Intriguing. This is a variant I have not heard of before.

 

[Redthistle]

As a DM I currently prefer the standard array, because it has a slightly better chance of making the players shut up and start playing straight away.

Your reason why had me wondering for a moment if it would be possible to have all the players re-do their stats at every game.

 

[Redthistle]

In some homebrew software that I wrote for generating bundles of semi-random NPC adventurers, I actually use a kind of randomized point-buy, scattering 27 points 'sensibly' between the abilities. It produces plausible NPCs that can hold their own but without overshadowing the PCs.

Thank you. I appreciate both the game-aid and all the new names you've tossed into the mix.

 

[Athinar]

I like the 4d6 drop lowest, but in my last game, I made the group use the set of scores of the highest average

but I don't care what system is used as long get to play

 

[CanadienneBacon]

At the table with a group of friends, I like 4d6, re-roll 1s, drop the lowest. Online PbP for 5e, I've had good luck with 27 point buy, so that's become my go-to. Though, one game I play in the DM gave out this array that we're all having a good time with: 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13. The latter sounds silly stupid, I know, but it's worked out really well in practice. Probably because the players are good peeps.

 

[Bupp]

I've always liked rolling dice, but I see the appeal of a standard array or point buy to keep the characters on a level field. I've seen "hero and sidekick" in a party all because of lucky/unlucky rolls.

Last few groups I've had everyone roll up a set of stats, 4d6 drop lowest. Each player can then choose any set of rolled scores and assign in any order.