D&D 5E Point Buy vs Rolling for Stats

[Yardiff]

Did I say its was before race mods? I like the chance of high rolls but will always except the final outcome. To be blunt, I like rolling for the fun.

And its more like 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 17.

 

[Arial Black]

You see value to the possibility of numbers outside of the range of 8-15. I don't. That's an opinion and a preference.

Whether you value those numbers is your preference. The fact that those limits exist is not a mere opinion.

If you want a score outside the range, it is a definite disadvantage. If you want all stats to be within that range then you still have to deal with the objective fact that you cannot have a mix of those 8-15 scores which does not exactly equal the DM's point-buy total, whatever that may be.

 

[Caliban]

Whether you value those numbers is your preference. The fact that those limits exist is not a mere opinion.

If you want a score outside the range, it is a definite disadvantage.

If that is your preference, it sure is. However, if you don't want PC's to have starting numbers outside that range, it is an advantage.

If you want all stats to be within that range then you still have to deal with the objective fact that you cannot have a mix of those 8-15 scores which does not exactly equal the DM's point-buy total, whatever that may be.

And that is an advantage - as far as the DM is concerned. If they wanted the players to have a higher point buy total, they'd increase it.

It's not all about you Ariel.

 

[Oofta]

Whether you value those numbers is your preference. The fact that those limits exist is not a mere opinion.

If you want a score outside the range, it is a definite disadvantage. If you want all stats to be within that range then you still have to deal with the objective fact that you cannot have a mix of those 8-15 scores which does not exactly equal the DM's point-buy total, whatever that may be.

Which is all to say ... in your opinion it's a disadvantage of point buy. I think it's a benefit since it levels the playing field.

I agree that it's a fact that I can't have a 100 strength or a character that shoots laser beams out of my eyes like Superman. There are always going to be limitations to the game, if there weren't it would be rather boring (at least for me).

 

[Arial Black]

Nope, it's a rather tiresome opinion based on your personal preference.

Really? It's only my opinion that I can't use point-buy to purchase a score that is not available?

Using the point-buy in the 5E PHB (although any point-buy that doesn't include every score from 3 to 18 has the same disadvantage), show me how I can use my 27 points to purchase a (pre-racials) score of below 8 or above 15.

It is an objective fact, not mere opinion, that those scores are unavailable.

 

[Oofta]

Really? It's only my opinion that I can't use point-buy to purchase a score that is not available?

No, it's your opinion that not being able to purchase a score that is not available is a bad thing.

 

[Arial Black]

There are always going to be limitations to the game, if there weren't it would be rather boring (at least for me).

Yes, and the limitations of 5E are 3 to 18 before racials. That is the valid idea space. Point-buy denies us every concept that has a number outside 8 to 15, AND denies us every concept that only has 8 to 15 unless it adds up to 27 points.

 

[Lanefan]

And that is an advantage - as far as the DM is concerned.

How does it make any difference to the DM? One would think she's just going to present the same adventures and challenges she has in mind to start with, no matter how well equipped - or not - the party may be to handle them.

Even with point-buy or array: sure all the characters' stat lines may be vaguely similar but that doesn't mean the players are going to play a broad range of classes or do anything else to help with balance - an all-Monk or all-Barbarian party throws a far bigger curveball at a DM than does a party with some variance in stats.

 

[Caliban]

Really? It's only my opinion that I can't use point-buy to purchase a score that is not available?

That you think it is a disadvantage is your opinion. Stop being so needy.

Using the point-buy in the 5E PHB (although any point-buy that doesn't include every score from 3 to 18 has the same disadvantage), show me how I can use my 27 points to purchase a (pre-racials) score of below 8 or above 15.

The range of possible scores is neither an advantage nor a disadvantage. Claiming it is one or the other is an opinion - based on your preferences.

It is an objective fact, not mere opinion, that those scores are unavailable.

It is your opinion that they should be available.

 

[Yardiff]

It is a fact. Whether that fact is an advantage or disadvantage is an opinion.