D&D 5E Group Stat Rolling

[Bupp]

This inspired me. In some hypothetical future game, I will make each player roll one ability score until we have six. This will be the array all PCs will be using for that campaign. They will forever blame the player who rolled that 6, setting them up against each other from the very start. Divide and conquer!

(No, I'm not entirely serious.)

I've actually done this. I had 3 players, so each rolled two ability scores. This was the groups array that they could assign. Luckily, no 6 was rolled!

 

[TwoSix]

Between the table, roll in order 6 times (so six sets of scores).
Make a 6x6 grid with these.
Players may choose any row or column, forwards or backwards, but they can't otherwise reorder the scores.

I just did a sample block of these, the fixed order/forwards and backwards options makes it pretty fun to look for interesting arrays. The only 18 ended up in the same row as the 4, for example.

 

[Dualazi]

Many players like rolling for their ability scores because they can get higher scores than through point buy. However, DMS frequently find that all player miraculously overcome the laws of probability and have better than average arrays. Rolling with the DM present mitigates this, but problems can still arise when some players roll average or great stats, and others roll poor stats, leaving the party unbalanced. Here is a new way to address this.

As others have already stated, if people just want to have their personal power inflated then you can just increase the point-buy and call it a day, no need to have a bureaucratic committee formed for it. Really though, the initial premise is telling; if your players are only seeking rolled stats on the assumption it will be better for them, and not on the basis of making a better story or character, they should be rebuffed. It's really no different than whining about wanting to start with a +1 weapon, right?

Rolling stats, whether as a group or an individual, has to be an informed decision about the risks and benefits. It follows that once the decision is made, there will be a good faith effort to stick with it, and that the DM enforces that rule. My group gives the choice to roll or take standard array. I rolled and rolled poorly, but I've kept the character and so far it's been serviceable, and I'm not going to suicide the character or cry about it just so I can have all the big numbers. If you or your players aren't willing to do similar, then it's best to just stick with the array.

 

[Horwath]

I'm thinking of an alternative to point buy and racial bonuses.

This would make PC's more powerfull as ASI would be used for feats only. Half feats would be taken in sets of 2 without the attached ability boost.

Al players would get 6 values to apply to their 6 abilities. Random or picked is always a choice.

There would not be any boosts of abilities due to leveling or racial scores. Only from very rare magic items.

Default would be: 18,16,14,12,12,10

Low powered campaign: 16,14,12,12,10,8

High powered campaign: 20,18,16,14,12,10


This would keep racial choice as more flavor than prefered choice for a build. Also it would give space for some feats that are flavor, but get sidelined due to boosting primary to 20 and 1/2 must have feats.