D&D General How Did You Generate Your Most Recent Character's Stats?

[payn]

My preferred method when I’m DMing is 4d6, drop lowest, arrange to your liking. If you don’t like the full spread, discard them and roll a new set of 6. I like the random element, but I want the players to be happy with the character they’re playing. If that means throwing out 50 sets until they finally roll one with multiple 18s and nothing below a 10? So be it. That said, I allow the players to use any of the options presented in the PHB if they would prefer.

It's interesting how little folks truly value random results, but really like the idea of random results.

 

[CleverNickName]

It's interesting how little folks truly value random results, but really like the idea of random results.

I know right?! This train of thought is why I put this poll together.

 

[prabe]

I have a heroic 4d6 system. Roll 4d6, drop lowest, then re-roll all ones until you have no more ones. This makes for a lowest level of 6. Then arrange how you want.

When I have considered a system that involved rolling, I have had a rule that if you had more than one 1 in your 4d6, you could reroll those dice once. Seems to be addressing something similar, even if your approach is more generous.

 

[prabe]

It's interesting how little folks truly value random results, but really like the idea of random results.

When I make characters for fun, I generate parties, and I roll randomly for class, gender, and lineage (to use the ToV term, since that's what I run) using the same table I use for NPCs; but I choose stats. People will want random in different places, so to speak.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I prefer point by with a higher point total than RAW, 32 or 36, but we do rolling (4d6 drop lowest reroll 1s, make a new set if it is weak sauce) most often.

Sometimes the generous rolling system still ends up with bothinf above 13 amd 2+ below 10, and that just isnt fun alongside someone with 3 16s and no negatives. Which is why i prefer 36 point buy.

You only have negatives if you want to (and yes, it does happen), and no
one has 4 18s or whatever where there is basically no room to grow.

 

[Charlaquin]

It's interesting how little folks truly value random results, but really like the idea of random results.

I mean, when I roll a character’s ability scores, I stick with the results I rolled. But, when I’m DMing I allow re-rolls because, like I said, I want my players to be happy with the characters they’re playing. Some players (let’s be honest, a lot of players), will not be happy with a character who has below average stats, and may not even be happy with a character who has average stats. And the last thing I want is a player to have a bad time because they chose to roll randomly but got immediate buyer’s remorse when they got middling results.

 

[aco175]

Just standard array and then add racial bonusses or whatever they have now.

I'm a little sad that my son has never rolled stats since he started playing.

 

[payn]

I mean, when I roll a character’s ability scores, I stick with the results I rolled. But, when I’m DMing I allow re-rolls because, like I said, I want my players to be happy with the characters they’re playing. Some players (let’s be honest, a lot of players), will not be happy with a character who has below average stats, and may not even be happy with a character who has average stats. And the last thing I want is a player to have a bad time because they chose to roll randomly but got immediate buyer’s remorse when they got middling results.

For me it really depends on the system. Some of them it matters little, others can be unplayable with rolled stats. I'll roll in DCC and have a hoot, but if im playing PF2 there is no way im rolling.

 

[AlViking]

It's interesting how little folks truly value random results, but really like the idea of random results.

I know that when I rolled for results I wanted numbers that worked for the character I wanted and generally wanted higher than average. Meanwhile if I rolled all 10s that would be boring. If I rolled all 18s after the initial "holy ****" moment it would feel too OP. If I wanted to randomize things there's any number of ways to do it without rolling for numbers that will have significant impact on my character's effectiveness for the life of the campaign.

 

[el-remmen]

I chose "I used a fixed array, either the one in the book or a custom version of it," because it is closest to what we did this past Monday night to make new characters for a game a friend is starting up (his first real attempt at DMing!), but what we actually did was a STAT DRAFT!

(and I still have a few copies of my stat draft rules zine available for those who want to buy one )