D&D 5E Humans RAW Can Start With multiple 18's

[Zardnaar]

The default human has come under some criticism for being weak and/or boring. Boring I an understand and one can take 12,12,12,14,14,16 after racial mods if the DM allows point buy.

However RAW it seems you can roll 4d6 or use the default stat array. The DM can choose to allow point buy. This makes the human more powerful IMHO as the +1 to everything mean more than the default stat array which only has a 13 and a 15 to really benefit the human. AFAIK it seems on average around 3 of your scores may be an odd number via rolling dice. Feats and the variant human are also optional so if you have your heart set on playing as a human take the chance and roll dice. If you roll low change your mind and play a non human with the stat array or suicide your character at level 1. Experiment a little.
My stats rolled right now 4d6 drop the lowest. Ironman no dice fudging.

11
18
9
7
8
14

12,14,18 as your best 3 stats, 8,9, 10 as your lowest. I would keep this or you could pick another race I suppose if you want a 20.

Character 2
14
7
12
13
13
13

8,15,13,14,14,14 for stas a little odd but its not to awful although you will not get a 16.

Character 3.
13
10
11
14
16
10

14, 11, 12 15, 17,11 as scores, offers an 18 and a 16 at level 4. I would use this

Character 4.

15
10
10
5
11
11

I would like to introduce you to Lemming the fighter. He has chronic depression problems and likes to be abused by Hobgoblins.

Character 5
15
13
11
16
9
15

Jackpot. 16,14,12,17,10,16

And the best part is RAW the DM can't chose to not let you roll. I am the DM in my game and I have no issue with letting PCs roll the dice if they want although for our 1st game they all chose the default array. I think rolling also slightly favours the default human as well. I may restrict races, classes feats and multiclassing but you can roll if you want.

 

[Mistwell]

And the best part is RAW the DM can't chose to not let you roll.

Of course the DM can choose to not let you roll.

 

[Zardnaar]

Of course the DM can choose to not let you roll.

Check the PHB not RAW. He can house rule it for sure but that is not RAW. The player gets to chose to roll or stat array. If the DM makes you use the stat array and doesn't allow the variant human he is gimping the human and should not be surprised if he ends up with parties with 0 humans.

 

[GameDoc]

It kind of depends on whether your DM will let you re-roll the character, and if so, how many times. If the dice are contrary and produce a Character 1 or Character 5 and you have to stick with it, you may be in trouble.

I'd be inclined to let a player roll one or two sets of stats and then choose one of those or the standard array. Otherwise at some point you're rolling infinite sets of six scores until you get one you want. But I wouldn't force them to accept a rolled character - they could decide after seeing what they rolled if head rather go with the standard.

When I got my PHB, as an exercise in learning the system, I randomly rolled several sets of stats and then a random a race, class, and background for each. Most turned out to be viable characters and the humans were particularly so due to the +1 bonus to all stats.

 

[Zardnaar]

It kind of depends on whether your DM will let you re-roll the character, and if so, how many times. If the dice are contrary and produce a Character 1 or Character 5 and you have to stick with it, you may be in trouble.

I'd be inclined to let a player roll one or two sets of stats and then choose one of those or the standard array. Otherwise at some point you're rolling infinite sets of six scores until you get one you want. But I wouldn't force them to accept a rolled character - they could decide after seeing what they rolled if head rather go with the standard.

When I got my PHB, as an exercise in learning the system, I randomly rolled several sets of stats and then a random a race, class, and background for each. Most turned out to be viable characters and the humans were particularly so due to the +1 bonus to all stats.

I'm inclined to allow 1 roll and default to the stat array to head of suicidal PCs if the dice do not go their way. Only problem is everyone will roll once to see if they can better the default array.

The way to combat infintie dice rolling is to make the PCs stick with what they roll and if they suicide they start at level 1 while everyone else is level 2+.

 

[LabyrinthLord718]

At my table, I allow 4d6 drop lowest, but you can roll 6 arrays and take the one you like the most./ The only thing I don't allow is borrowing stats from one array to another.

 

[Paraxis]

I don't allow rolling for ability scores, everyone uses point buy. Humans are still a great race.

On the suicide thing if one of my players ever tried to get their character killed I would oblige them and then ask them to leave my game, I don't want or need that kind of attitude at my table. Is this a normal thing in games that use rolled ability scores?

 

[drjones]

Rolling does not help or hurt any race more than any other race. In my group there are level 1s with 20s. They will be better than usual for the early levels but I would be surprised if anyone at the table does not have maxed primary stats pretty quickly.

Personally I am going to use the card system next time to keep the randomness but tighten up the spread. Having a party full of 20s does not actually make the game easier or more fulfilling (the dm will crank up difficulty if needed, it's not an MMO) and it cuts one off from one variety of advancement.

 

[Blue Phoenix RPG]

Clearly says in the rulebook too that the DM has the option of net letting humans get +1 on all stats, instead gaining only +1 on two stats and those are for the original class only. I personally will be using that option as I believe +1 to all stats is simply insane.

 

[GameDoc]

True, but that option also requires the DM to allow feats (and entitles humans to a free one at 1st level), so exercising one option takes another away if you follow the RAW.