D&D 5E Attribute Score Method

[Wyckedemus]

I have created the following party-focused ability score generation method that lets my groups roll for that randomness kick, but also lets them choose how they want to be balanced with each other.

1. Everyone rolls 3d6, six times, and records their scores, making those arrays visible to the entire group. If the group is small, I as a DM might roll an array with them for another option.

2. Everyone can choose from any of the arrays that were rolled, and can place the scores however they want.

Anecdotally, there is often one array that is clearly better, and everyone chooses it, but if there are other arrays that differ in a way that is meaningful, (let's say "18, 16, 12, 10, 9, 4" vs. "15, 15, 14, 12, 12, 10") you may see variations on what people select.

I've learned that using this method with "4d6, drop the lowest", leads to pretty high scores for the entire group. I choose not to run it this way because math matters in 5E's bounded accuracy, and I like to give lots of magic items/boons/toys that will already be affecting their success rates.

Edit: P.S., I save the ability score arrays for the campaign, and any character that is replaced gets to choose from the same arrays.

 

[cbwjm]

Every game I've played in has allowed rearranging, and all kinds of interesting-fun-entertaining concepts are opened up by the presence of that 6. For gonzo (i.e. most of the time!) I'd chuck it in Wisdom. If I wanted to switch my brain off at the games I'd put it in Intelligence. Tossing it into Charisma gives me license to, in-character, offend anyone and everyone. Putting it in Strength or Con isn't nearly as exciting, though if one's after some slapstick having Dex 6 is a fine way to start.

I do like a low wisdom wild mage who has powerful magic but not the wisdom to use it appropriately and is somewhat oblivious to the damage they cause.

I should note that we always arrange to taste, I don't think I've played with roll in order as a requirement since I first started with BECMI which had its own methods of adjusting stats. Normally the only time when I roll in order is when I don't quite know what to play and let the dice decide for me.

 

[kenada]

That deck has some nice features. Comparing it to the other methods discussed -

445566777889 = 76/6 =12.67
Range 8 to 17
Example array 8 10 12 14 15 17 net +6 (no racial)
Example array 13 12 13 12 13 13 net +6 (no racial)

445566778899 = 78/6 = 13
Range 8 to 18
Example array 8 10 12 14 16 18 net +8 (at least +9 after racial)
Example array 13 13 13 13 13 13 net +6 (at least +7 after racial)

222223333444455555 = 63 = 10.5
Range 6 to 15
Example array 6 7 9 12 14 15 net +0 (at least +1 after racial)
Example array 12 12 11 10 9 9 net +0 (at least +1 after racial

One could propose
3 444 55 66 777 8 = 66 = 11
Range 7 to 15
Example array 7 8 10 12 14 15 net +2 (at least +3 after racial)
Example array 11 11 11 11 10 12 net +2 (at least +3 after racial)

I like that first distribution too. It’s just slightly closer to the average on 4d6 drop lowest, which makes it work a bit better with racial ability score increases. I going to give it try generating some pre-gens for a PF2 one-shot.

I believe @kenada's intuition to cap at 17 rightly responds to the powerful stat-lines this method otherwise affords. Were I using this method I'd probably set up the deck so that rather than generating and then forbidding 18+s, it couldn't generate them. If 17 is the intended max after racial, maybe 15 should be the top of the range?

One benefit of allowing natural 17s is it lets you play against your racial archetype. If you draw a 17, you can be a gnome barbarian if you want. Otherwise, you have to pick options that give you the ability score increases you need for your class.