Setting the method for rolling ability scores

[delericho]

It's true, a lot of folks like the idea of random rolling. However, they build in so many failsafes to ensure the character is actually playable.

Not just that, but the definition of "playable" seems to have crept upwards across the editions...

(Although having said that, there's commentary in the 1st Ed DMG that puts something of a lie to it. But since 2nd Ed it seems to be an upward trend.)

 

[CleverNickName]

Really? I don't know anyone that doesn't use stat array, order as you choose in 5E. Though, I suppose you are correct. You still arrange the scores as you see fit, so I suppose that would be a set method for generation that old school didn't often offer.

We only ever roll for our stats...we like the randomness.

The one time we used point-buy, everyone ended up with identical stats (so it might as well have been an array). The character creation "minigame" ended up being predictable (which was the point), but that also made it boring (which was unfortunate since you only ever get to "play" it once per campaign.)

 

[payn]

We only ever roll for our stats...we like the randomness.

The one time we used point-buy, everyone ended up with identical stats (so it might as well have been an array). The character creation "minigame" ended up being predictable (which was the point), but that also made it boring (which was unfortunate since you only ever get to "play" it once per campaign.)

Hey, thats fair. However, the couple times I played with total randomness in D&D it was like having Lebron James in your local pick up game at the park (or you joining Lebron James and his teammates for a game). The randomness appeared interesting, but only added frustration to the players and GM. YMMV.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

So, as chargen continues to be more and more of a mini-game unto itself, I will advocate for going full bore.

Draft.

That's right.

Rolling for abilities? That's so .... Gygaxian.

Point buy? Ugh. What are you, some kind of Skills & Powers loser?

Nope. The real hotness? That's right .... a draft system! Have players compete to get what they want.

Make the chargen minigame a MAXI-GAME.

Hear me now and thank me later .... you want fun? You want fairness? You want cut throat competition and game theory?

Get everyone together and draft your character abilities.

 

[CleverNickName]

Back in the early, early, early days of 5E, I ran a short adventure path for some 1st level characters--not quite a full campaign, but it spanned a couple dozen gaming sessions, and brought everyone up to about 6th level. Anyway. We used an...interesting? method for generating ability scores:

1. All characters started with a base of 6 in all of their stats.
2. Then for each score, you would roll 2d6 and add the result to that base number.
3. If a race or subrace granted a bonus, you would roll 3d6 instead (and drop the lowest).

Basically it was the "roll 3d6 in order" except you were spotted a free 6. If your race/subrace gave you a bonus to a certain stat, you were spotted a free 6 and you got to use the "4d6 drop the lowest" for that stat.

Even though the players all ended up with higher-than-array stats, they hated (hated!!) it because they had to roll their stats in order. Apparently that's a crime in Oregon? I had no idea.

 

[Maxperson]

Hey, thats fair. However, the couple times I played with total randomness in D&D it was like having Lebron James in your local pick up game at the park (or you joining Lebron James and his teammates for a game). The randomness appeared interesting, but only added frustration to the players and GM. YMMV.

Yeah. It's all perspective. In my group not only do the players not care if one person gets fantastic stats, the group as a whole is happy about it because it helps the party.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Even though the players all ended up with higher-than-array stats, they hated (hated!!) it because they had to roll their stats in order. Apparently that's a crime in Oregon? I had no idea.

What's the punishment? Did they make you drink .... a lightly hopped IPA??????

Quelle horreur!

 

[payn]

Back in the early, early, early days of 5E, I ran a short adventure path for some 1st level characters--not quite a full campaign, but it spanned a couple dozen gaming sessions, and brought everyone up to about 6th level. Anyway. We used an...interesting? method for generating ability scores:

1. All characters started with a base of 6 in all of their stats.
2. Then for each score, you would roll 2d6 and add the result to that base number.
3. If a race or subrace granted a bonus, you would roll 3d6 instead (and drop the lowest).

Basically it was the "roll 3d6 in order" except you were spotted a free 6. If your race/subrace gave you a bonus to a certain stat, you were spotted a free 6 and you got to use the "4d6 drop the lowest" for that stat.

Even though the players all ended up with higher-than-array stats, they hated (hated!!) it because they had to roll their stats in order. Apparently that's a crime in Oregon? I had no idea.

Folks dont like randomness, they just think they do.

 

[payn]

Yeah. It's all perspective. In my group not only do the players not care if one person gets fantastic stats, the group as a whole is happy about it because it helps the party.

Lebron I'm sure would be amused to play basketball for an afternoon with me. If he was told for the rest of his life he could only play basketball with me, it wouldn't be so amusing.

 

[Maxperson]

Lebron I'm sure would be amused to play basketball for an afternoon with me. If he was told for the rest of his life he could only play basketball with me, it wouldn't be so amusing.

As you said, YMMV. In my group Lebron and the others play just fine together from level 3-17+ as we start at level 3 and end in the high teens to 20.