thatdarnedbob said:
Can anyone explain to me where the straight 3d6 (in order or not) method came from? Because I'm looking at my 1979 AD&D DM's Guide, and the methods it lists are
a) 4d6 drop lowest, arrange as desired
b) Roll 3d6 12 times, and keep the 6 highest.
c) Roll 3d6 6 times, for each ability score in order.
d) Roll 3d6 for 6 scores 12 times total, then choose the set of six you like the most.
In fact, it explicitly says NOT to use 3d6 in order. Was this just an evil DM invention?
Huh. I can't find my old basic set red book, but the first I can remember ever seeing a method other than "roll 3d6 straight down" was the AD&D Player's Handbook, and even there they were listed as "aternative methods" that everyone I gamed with considered cheatery of the highest order. They were:
3d6 twice for each attribute, keeping the highest
3d6 six times, and then put them wherever you want
3d6 twelve times, take the best six and put them wherever you want
4d6, drop the lowest, put them wherever you want
7d6, every stat starts at 8, add individual dice to your stats, you can not go above 18
It's funny because we all turned our noses up at these "cheesy, power gamer" methods, but every game I played in had it's own, perfectly acceptable way to generate stats, that were just as, if not more "cheesy". One of my favorite methods was from my friend Jason's game:
3d6 straight down, make all ones, sixes, and all twos, fives.