Help a gamer friend of mine with bad stat rolls.

[Herobizkit]

Also important to ask is whether the DM is planning on running a RP-internsive game (in which case stats don't matter at all as long as your character is interesting) or a "dungeon-buster" (in which case stats are extremely important because modules have certain assumptions about the characters ie: they're not "teh suck").

For an rp-intensive game, I still say go Aristocrat; maybe even play the minimum age for a human and be really annoying.

For a "dungeon-buster", the player will have his work cut out for him. He'll have to fight smarter, or take on a support role. In the Spec-War of dungeoneering, the weakest link is usually the death of the party. Sooo... barring the Aristocrat (which is essentially all the goodness of rogue and bard without magic), you could play a Minotaur or an Irda (hehe), or a Rogue/Fighter multi-class character build. With Use Magic Device (even at a -1 unless you take Skill Focus), you'll have the joy of being able to use decent magic-spewing items every once in a while, as long as you're not in a pinch.

 

[reanjr]

If I were the DM, and I decided I wanted 3d6 straight up, then no, I wouldn't allow a reroll. That defeats the purpose. As a player, I'd live with it. I'm thinking Fighter/Wizard, with archery as my main fighting style.

 

[genshou]

Ouch. 3d6 in order is tough on characters when the campaign gets to higher levels. Might I suggest you point out this link to your DM?

Sorry I wasn't able to suggest this earlier. My router kinda died on me on Tuesday.

 

[Crust]

One of my freinds is starting a 3.5 Dragonlance game. The DM is being very strict with stats: 3D6, you get what you get, placed in the order of the rolls. This is what my friend ended up with:
STR 11
DEX 13
CON 8
INT 13
WIS 6
CHA 8

If you were the DM, would you let him reroll like it says in the PH, or force him to live with it? If you got stuck with those stats, what would you do?

I would definitely make him reroll his stats.

PCs should have strong stats. They're heroes, aren't they? My players roll 4d6 and select the highest three, rerolling all 1s. They roll three sets and choose the best of the three. That usually makes for a strong PC that will last and be effective in the group, which is what my players want. It's what I would want as a player.

I don't believe an individual with the above stats would ever consider being an adventurer. He'd either be a weak fighter, a rather clumsy rogue, etc... I don't see it happening, unless he/she is thrust into the face of battle or hardship (like Sam or Frodo, perhaps), who only survives through the aid and sacrifice of others.

At best, a PC with the above stats will be the most ineffective member of the party on many levels, and who would want to play a PC like that?

I'm sure there are many people who would play such a PC, and many DMs who would allow it. Not me.

 

[Christian]

Sign him up for the Scout Service.

(Oops, wrong game system.)

I like the elf wizard idea, personally. First level spells should be Chill Touch, Unseen Servant, and Identify. Have fun!

 

[riprock]

I don't know all too much about DL, but I'd go with a Wizard. Sure, the INT isn't great, but there's ways around that (levels, items), especially if your DM isn't a total pain (had to change that word ). You won't have to worry as much about low HP, and you'll be more effective at a range.

Rogue is, IMO, a poorer choice. With a WIS of 6, you'll need all the help in the Will department you can get. Wizard will give you that, Rogue won't. Also, while certainly not powerhouses, Rogues tend to get a little more "dirty" than Wizards, and hit points are definitely not a strong suit for this character. Besides that, ignoring CON altogether would let you pick a race that can up DEX, because for this character, it's more important to avoid hits than be able to take them. Finally, you're taking a hit on a good portion of the Rogue skill set, the CHA skills.

If you're in 3.5, a wizard with Martial Weapon Proficiency (shortbow) would be my first choice.

Also, HeroBizKit's suggestion of an Aristocrat sounds interesting. Personally, I tend toward wizards, but possibly an Aristocrat could be cooler if the party already has a wizard. Even if the party has better archers, I would suggest a shortbow as this PC's basic weapon.

If the DM insists that your vision has to conform to the dice, the DM is limiting your long-term creative control pretty harshly. I would suggest going in with low expectations and trying to understand why the DM is being so restrictive. Quite possibly he's gotten burned by rules lawyers and tactical experts making themselves into demi-gods before 9th level. If that's the case, ask him exactly what kind of heroes he is looking for. Is he looking for problem-solvers, berserkers, diplomats?

 

[EvilGM]

If you were the DM, would you let him reroll like it says in the PH, or force him to live with it?
I would not allow a reroll as it seems he clearly indicated the rolling process.

If you got stuck with those stats, what would you do?
STR 11
DEX 13
CON 8
INT 13
WIS 6
CHA 8


For Dragonlance, I would choose a Gnome Wizard - Str 9, Dex 15, Con 8, Int 15, Wis 4, Cha 8.
Small sized will help AC, attack and Hide skill.
Even with the 4 Wisdom, your Will save at level one will be +1 (+2 racial, +2 wizard base, -3 ability), and its easy to see a gnome with a 4 Wisdom.
Go for subterfuge and ranged attacks. Illusions are fun... doubly so when you believe them yourself!

 

[Kae'Yoss]

what would you do?

I'd get out of the game. That DM isn't compatible with my gaming style.

If I were that DM, I'd commit myself.

 

[Thanee]

The DM is being very strict with stats: 3D6, you get what you get, placed in the order of the rolls.

Hopefully, the DM also keeps that in mind when making up challenges and deciding things during the game. If the DM is fair in that way, there's no problem with that. Might not be everyone's cup of tea, but that's another issue.

This is what my friend ended up with:
STR 11
DEX 13
CON 8
INT 13
WIS 6
CHA 8

Certainly not too great, but your friend could make something workable with those stats, I guess.

Just don't be a cleric!

If you were the DM, would you let him reroll like it says in the PH, or force him to live with it? If you got stuck with those stats, what would you do?

Obviously, if the DM uses 3d6 in order the thresholds in the PHB don't work, since they are based on 4d6 drop lowest, distribute as you like.

I would make a gnome rogue/wizard with those stats.

Bye
Thanee