In the original days of D&D before ad&d we did 3d6 as well and at one point the 4d6 take away the lowest came out can not remember if that happened in AD&D 1 or 2 been way to long for this old brain.
What is crazy is some of the stat requirements from Unearthed Arcana (I have a copy still the only Ad&d 1.0 book I have left ). Caviler Str, Con, Dex minimum 15 Wisdom and Int 10
Yes, at first it was roll your abilities and then see what you can be (as we are doing here), but I seem to recall a table in the 1e DMG that had you picking your class and then rolling multiple d6 for different abilities so that you'd meet your pre-requisites, which led to all sorts of inflated stats. I can't find that table now, but I know I didn't dream it...
Edit: Nope, still can't find it. The 4 listed methods for character generation in the 1e DMG are:s
I 4d6, drop the lowest, arrange as you see fit
II 3d6 rolled 12 times, keep the best 6
III roll each ability in order, but roll each ability 6 times, keep the best (3d6)
IV roll 3d6 for each of the ability scores in order, repeat until 12 sets of abilities are generated, keep the one you like best.
Maybe I did dream it...
Really?!! I thought for sure I was using that table in grade 6 & 7, but since the book wasn't published until I was in grade 8. At least I didn't dream the whole thing. Thanks!The additional methods were in unearthed arcana! Such as roll 9 dice for barbarian str but only three say for int!

(Dungeons & Dragons)
Rulebook featuring "high magic" options, including a host of new spells.