D&D General Having your players roll their stats

[Umbran]

wasn't that feared in the thread and then proceded to...not happen?

Great for those in the whatever thread you are referencing. Doesn't change my position in the slightest, though.

maybe it'd be different with players with less socially manners.

There are multiple failure modes for the system, and, for my money, no relevant advantages over other forms of stat generation. So, I'll pass.

 

[Umbran]

That said, it is not for every group, esp. for a group that tends towards being competitive with each other.

Everyone leaps to the issue of over-optimizing or over-aggressive players.

You're missing what happens when there's players with social anxiety in the mix. Forcing a player to self-advocate and negotiate for their own desires over the desires of others isn't easy or fun for everyone, folks.

 

[TwoSix]

Everyone leaps to the issue of over-optimizing or over-aggressive players.

You're missing what happens when there's players with social anxiety in the mix. Forcing a player to self-advocate and negotiate for their own desires over the desires of others isn't easy or fun for everyone, folks.

I guess I don't see picking an index card with a number on it being any more of challenge than the myriad of other challenges someone with social anxiety will face in a TTRPG environment where they may sometimes be the center of attention.

I'm not saying that can't happen, of course, as social dynamics are complex, but I feel you're somewhat overestimating the intensity of the environment for an "average" group.

The benefits are that it provides more variability than point-buy, but more player control and more inter-character balance than rolling, while also providing a bit of bonhomie and bonding to the character creation minigame.

 

[Swarmkeeper]

I guess I don't see picking an index card with a number on it being any more of challenge than the myriad of other challenges someone with social anxiety will face in a TTRPG environment where they may sometimes be the center of attention.

I'm not saying that can't happen, of course, as social dynamics are complex, but I feel you're somewhat overestimating the intensity of the environment for an "average" group.

The benefits are that it provides more variability than point-buy, but more player control and more inter-character balance than rolling, while also providing a bit of bonhomie and bonding to the character creation minigame.

This. Ideally the players are working together to make sure each of their characters has some sort of strong suit. After all, its nice when allies are effective, too.

If someone is being overly greedy in optimizing their character to the detriment (perceived or otherwise) of another player's character, better to root that out early with something like a congenial stat draft. I mean, jerk players can ruin any game and this concern says more about table etiquette (or lack thereof) than the mechanics of a stat draft or any other stat generation methodology.

 

[Lakesidefantasy]

I ask the players to roll and let them know that if they don't like their results they can just do point buy. I like them to at least have the opportunity to have a score higher than 15*.

I also offer the Dice Point method, but you have to take what you get with that one.

* You know what I mean.

 

[Vaalingrade]

I do not know how to reply with an opposite facing fist bump.

Or, for the joke, a black-eyed smilie.

 

[The Glen]

Roll and rearrange.

You'll take these dice from my cold dead hands.

Pinkerton has entered the chat.

 

[abirdcall]

We don't do rolling or point buy. Everyone takes the standard array.

I find rolling messes with the balance too much in 5e if using feats. There isn't a tradeoff for taking a feat because stats are already high.

Point buy is just added work that enough people found confusing and unfun that we just don't use it anymore.

 

[Oofta]

This. Ideally the players are working together to make sure each of their characters has some sort of strong suit. After all, its nice when allies are effective, too.

If someone is being overly greedy in optimizing their character to the detriment (perceived or otherwise) of another player's character, better to root that out early with something like a congenial stat draft. I mean, jerk players can ruin any game and this concern says more about table etiquette (or lack thereof) than the mechanics of a stat draft or any other stat generation methodology.

Ideally, sure. But people aren't perfect. Many don't empathize as much as they could. Others are going to smile and say it's okay while inwardly cringing. Just because you aren't attuned to other's desires, it doesn't mean you're a jerk.

This goes back to this black and white label that seems to pop up now and then. Either you're a "good" player or you're a "jerk". All jerks should be immediately kicked from the game. Except that's not how it works, most behavior is on a spectrum. Some people just have a low insight skill while others have a low charisma. We're all playing a game. I try to ensure I'm setting up the best possible game for the most people, even if I also accept I can't be the right DM for everyone. But part of setting up a good game? Not pitting players against each other unnecessarily is something I prefer in the game.

 

[Ancalagon]

These days, the D&D games I run are point-buy.

I got tired of dealing with the issues raised by the common over-powered or under-powered characters that dice produce.

ENWORD fixed that problem

I present, the Redrick Roller! Redrick Roller