Alternative Point Buy

[scholz]

I am considering two alternatives to the standard point buy or random generation. I like the idea of random generation (you get more interesting characters), however I do not like the great differences in character power levels it sometimes produces.

FIRST IDEA: Balancing Rewards
This idea though it needs some fleshing out. I was thinking of using the organic random system 4d6 (drop lowest) in order, reroll one stat, switch two stats. But then I would give little bonuses to the characters based on their ranking for five players. Some sample ideas below..

Lowest Total Stat bonuses gets +1 Feat.
2nd Lowest Stat bonuses gets 1 free Hero Point (Using Arcana Unearthed)
3rd lowest Stat bonuses gets +1 class skill (one skill is made a class skill permanently)
4th lowest stat bonuses get +4 background skill points (profession, craft, knowledge, or perform skill)
Highest get nothing.

Comments?

SECOND IDEA: Draft Pick

All players roll 4d6 (drop lowest) six times. Then all the numbers are put together. Starting randomly each person gets to pick a number from the list and assign it to whatever ability they want.
After each person has picked a number and applied it to a stat, reverse the order and pick a second number and assign it to a stat. Then select randomly again, and repeat the process, when each person has picked two more, repeat that process. So you get a form of random generation, there will be high numbers and low numbers. But it is pretty likely that these will be distributed fairly equally, no one is likely to have much better than anyone else.

Comments?

 

[Coredump]

I don't think the second method will work out very well for the group. Not sure why.... You will get some 18's, but the ones rolling them will probably not get them. I don't think people will be happy with the results. But I could be wrong....
If you use the second method, I would suggest that you make all the rolls, and while they are watching.
Heck, if you *really* want a draft, figure out the order; and before rolling let them trade for a higher spot. (ie. The fighter-player will trade his first bonus feat and his 4th round choice to the rogue-player for the rogues 2nd round choice.) You should probably make the trades before making the rolls, but whatever.


As for the first idea, I would do it with a point-buy system, and have them 'bid' how many points they are willing to give up. The one that gives up the most gets a feat, etc. You could either do this in rounds so everyone knows what is happening, or just have one round bid blind.

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[scholz]

I don't think the second method will work out very well for the group. Not sure why.... You will get some 18's, but the ones rolling them will probably not get them. I don't think people will be happy with the results. But I could be wrong....
If you use the second method, I would suggest that you make all the rolls, and while they are watching...

This was my primary fear, that it would not go over well with the players. I was trying to figure out someway that it could work but you are probably right, people feel protective of their own dice rolls.

As for the first idea, I would do it with a point-buy system, and have them 'bid' how many points they are willing to give up. The one that gives up the most gets a feat, etc. You could either do this in rounds so everyone knows what is happening, or just have one round bid blind.

My goal was to avoid the point buy. With a point buy I can guarantee that the players have equal stat bonuses, so I wouldn't need to reward the people with lower stats (besides I am somewhat hesitant to give a 'value' to a particular bonus. So your version wouldn't really add anything I want.

But, I was thinking that I would allow people to lower their stats in order to get the 'rewards' if they would rather have them. For example if a person was second to lowest but close, she might choose to lower one stat to get the bonus feat.

I was wondering whether my 'rewards' were too good, or nor good enough to compensate and make the random system more attractive than the point buy to the people who roll lower.