25 or 32...what's the REAL "standard" point buy?

[Old Fezziwig]

I've actually always used the Default Array for PbPs and one-shots. My RL game uses 30 pt. buy, which has worked out nicely.

best,
Nick

 

[Ron]

I follow Living Greyhawk's in allowing players to spend 28 points instead of rolling 4d6 and I received no serious complaints. I like to work with less than perfect characters, as they usually have more personality than the ones with too good scores.

 

[milotha]

I've played in both 25 and 32 pt buys. I feel that the 32 point buy characters are better. It gives you enough versatility to design a character that can actually do something, especially if you want to be a spell caster and need a 16 in a stat.

 

[Faerl'Elghinn]

Hi

What's the standard base score for point buy systems? 10? 8? This method seems interesting to me, as it stops players from complaining about ability scores. It also eliminates the random element when determining the characteristics so vital to the survival and success of PCs, which strikes me as somewhat unfair. I usually allow rerolls of "unplayable" or "weak" characters, as Adventurers are generally are among the elite of society, and as such, should always be a cut or two above average. A low score or two doesn't bother me, as a frail but immensely intelligent Wizard or dim but brutally strong Barbarian certainly fits my idea of an adventurer. Additionally, does anyone allow maybe a subtraction from the base score in exchange for the raising of another ability above 18, such that a character may choose to be exceptional- even superhuman- in one aspect, but must take an associated penalty in another?

Thanks,

-Faerl'Elghinn

 

[Old Fezziwig]

Point buy starts with 8 in each ability.

best,
Nick

 

[DragonLancer]

For our IceHaven chat game (see sig) we went for a 32 point buy. We found (and players had a say in things during development) that 32 points allowed for a wider variety of characters, plus classes such as Paladin and Monk need higher than 25 points due to needing more than 1 or 2 prime stats.

 

[ph0rk]

Hi

What's the standard base score for point buy systems? 10? 8?

all characters start with 8.
raising up to 14 is one point per (6 points to get to 14)
15 and 16 cost 2 each
17 and 18 cost 3 each

14 costs 6
16 costs 10
18 costs 16
(high stats can be expensive)

18 is the cap, and when you are finished, you apply racial modifiers.

 

[James Heard]

I've used 32 and 28 point buys. 32 can be a bit much, 28 is usually the minimum for no complaints from the ADD crowd who got used to crazy stuff like the 2EUA.

 

[Malin Genie]

We've arrived at 30 as a good number in our campaigns in the past.

 

[the Jester]

I vastly prefer rolling. I have never used point buy in my game.