Have These Basic Questions been answered yet?

[JoeGKushner]

1. How are ability scores generated?

2. How are hit points determined?

3. What classes will be in the PHB?

4. What races will be in the PHB?

 

[The Little Raven]

All of these can be answered with: randomized booster packs.

1. How are characteristics generated?

By characteristics, what exactly do you mean? Ability scores?

2. How are hit points determined?

3xHP at first level, and beyond that, we don't know. I suspect we'll still be rolling hit dice to gain new HP at each new level.

3. What classes will be in the PHB?

Cleric, Fighter, Ranger, Paladin, Rogue, Warlock, Warlord, Wizard. That's all we know. Could be more, but we're pretty certain these 8 are in.

4. What races will be in the PHB?

Dragonborn, Dwarves, Eladrin, Elves, Halflings, Half-Elves, Humans, and Tieflings. That's all we know.

 

[Lackhand]

1. How are characteristics generated?

2. How are hit points determined?

3. What classes will be in the PHB?

4. What races will be in the PHB?

I'm pretty sure we know absolutely which races are in (Human, dwarf, elf, half-elf, half-ling, eladrin, tiefling, dragonborn) from Races & Classes, but do not know with the same ironclad assurance which classes are in (but still: everyone will be amazed if it's not Fighter, Paladin, Cleric, Warlord, Ranger, Rogue, Warlock, Wizard).

If by "characteristics" you mean Strength, Dexterity, et al: we know that there's a point buy and a method for rolling presented as equal options in the PHB, but not what the precise nature of each is (again, surprises all around if they're not 28 point buy and 4d6 drop lowest to taste).

Hit points: No idea.

Oh, and Ninja (for posting, y'see), apparently. Darn you, Mourn!!!

 

[Dragonblade]

I certainly hope there is no more rolling for HP. Seriously, do people still roll for hitpoints? No group I have been in has rolled hitpoints in ages. Everybody just gets max HP. Nothing sucks more than rolling a 1 for hp.

And ability scores, 28 point buy is pathetic. Does anyone actually play like that?

My group does 84 points, assign to each stat on a 1 for 1 basis. Nothing above 18 or below a 3 (this is before applying racial modifiers). Thats the equivalent of having at least a 14 in every stat. PCs should be the best of the best.

Alternatively, we do 4d6, drop the lowest, reroll all 1s and 2s.

I'm hoping that rolling for HP and subpar stat point buy systems are a thing of the past.

 

[The Little Raven]

And ability scores, 28 point buy is pathetic. Does anyone actually play like that?

It's pathetic in 3e, where an 8 gives you a -1 to rolls.

It's something quite different in 4e, where you don't suffer penalties from ability scores, only bonuses.

Alternatively, we do 4d6, drop the lowest, reroll all 1s and 2s.

When doing random generation, I've always been a 5d6, drop the lowest two (reroll all 1s) type of guy.

 

[The Little Raven]

Darn you, Mourn!!!

Curses upon my name taste like manna from heaven.

Mmm mmm good.

 

[A'koss]

1. How are ability scores generated?

- No, other than we know it is by point buy and that you start off with higher AS than in 3e.

2. How are hit points determined?

- No, other than starting off with more than core 3e, but fewer/level after 1st.

3. What classes will be in the PHB?

4. What races will be in the PHB?

If you click the link to the info page, it goes over what we know...

 

[Dragonblade]

It's pathetic in 3e, where an 8 gives you a -1 to rolls.

It's something quite different in 4e, where you don't suffer penalties from ability scores, only bonuses.

Indeed.

And before people start crying powergamer, NPCs and monsters also get max HP and boosted stats. So it evens out. Its just more fun to play a character that actually has stat bonuses and can start with an 18 in the key abilities for their class.

 

[The Little Raven]

- No, other than we know it is by point buy and that you start off with higher AS than in 3e.

Point buy is just one of three standard options given for generation, the other two being random generation (4d6, drop lowest) and an array (I believe).

 

[A'koss]

Point buy is just one of three standard options given for generation, the other two being random generation (4d6, drop lowest) and an array (I believe).

In 4e, the standard is now point buy, with other options in the DMG.