I hope stat generation is addressed

[RedShirtNo5]

I think the new rule should be players decide their stats, with DM approval.

I particularly like keeping the players in the dark about what stats I will or will not approve.

 

[Branduil]

Well, I would have, but I was just wanting to know how many agree that players should be given complete creative control, and how many think DM's should maintain control of this aspect.

The very question is fundamentally flawed. It's a false dichotomy.

 

[Arkhandus]

I rather think that D&D is a team game, with no one star. Everyone has different strengths.

At the same time, I think point buy is too fiddly and rolled is too random without non-trivial rules enhancements. I now use a card-based system, though I know that will never show up in the official rules.

Agreed. Also, I'm curious as to this card-based system you mention for stat generation?

 

[Bront]

Atributes are part of what make other characters unique. The Wizard with the 16 strength is different from the Wizard with the 10 strength. Allowing anyone to just pick, well, why wouldn't I take a high stat like a 16 or 18 unless I wanted a character defining weakness in a particular stat? And I can still do that in a point buy system.

Point buy isn't perfect, but it's designed to be a balancing factor between PCs and for DMs to have a reference to (using a 32 PB instead of 28? Well, that adds a little bit to the CR I need to use). 3.0 and 3.5 are built to allow GMs to balance encounters, and that's just another way it works.

On top of all that, it's very easy to houserule "Pick your stats" and go. But for those of us who don't want to do that, we need some kind of rules guideline as to how to create a character. You can't publish a PHB that doesn't give you some kind of rules for creating a character other than "Pick what you want". It's easier to let someone houserule it than make it "Core" and have GMs houserule against it.

If you want to play like that, go ahead. But for the actual book? Give people options and rules for creation please, even if is the old "Roll 3d6 in order" standard.

 

[Lanefan]

Well, I would have, but I was just wanting to know how many agree that players should be given complete creative control, and how many think DM's should maintain control of this aspect.

Except you seem to think the two are mutually exclusive, where they are not. The DM decides the roll-up rules, and the players have control within those rules. Some rules give more leeway, others do not. But a DM never has complete control unless she is handing out pre-generated characters around the table and saying "Right, read those, then we're dropping the puck".

Point buy gives players control within a rather tight framework. Dice-rolling gives players control within a framework of randomness, and is usually more fun. Array method gives players much less control, but still a bit.

And your poll is missing an obvious option: "The dice trump both player and DM."

Lanefan

 

[Crothian]

I've been having players pick their stats for years and it hasn't caused any problems at our gaming table.

 

[nerfherder]

I have always hated the arbitrary way in which stats are generated. I hate point buys, I hate 3d6. I think the new rule should be players decide their stats, with DM approval.

If the player wants all 18's, let them. If the player wants a hodge podge, let them. High stats are easy enough to offset (higher monster HP's and AC's), so just let the players truly create the character they want. They are allowed to do this via feat selection and skill selection, so why not at the most fundamental part of building their character?

So if a player wants to play a "Conan" type they should, even with their stats.

Why should DM's be allowed to force players to have characters with stats the player doesn't like? The DM has plenty of control as it is. So why not give the player total control of their characters stats?

I don't understand why you think there needs to be a rule to allow you to ignore the rules. Deciding which rules are going to be used, which are going to be house-ruled, and which are going to be ignored is surely part of the pre-game discussion between the players & DM.

I've been having players pick their stats for years and it hasn't caused any problems at our gaming table.

There you go - it looks like people don't need a rule in the PHB or DMG to allow them to do this after all.

 

[RPG_Tweaker]

C... none of the two straight-jackets above.


Have the PHB list 3d6, 4d6-lowest, Point Buy, and Default Array.

Tell the player to ask their DM which to use.


or better yet... list none in the PHB and make 'em wait until the DMG is released!

 

[Charwoman Gene]

Well, I would have, but I was just wanting to know how many agree that players should be given complete creative control, and how many think DM's should maintain control of this aspect.

Yes, but that's not what you posted. You posted in such a way that those who do not agree with the base assumption that ANY restriction on character creation is a "straightjacket" are looking at voting for "DM's have complete control.". Player's have complete control too, if they don't like the character creation method, they can walk away.

I don't have search, but this seems in odds with what I remember of your previous posts... I call shenanigans. If I'm wrong, sorry, I call attention seeker looking to trick the middle ground into supporting their extremist position.

I'll do a poll soon about whether the DM should assign your class race and alignment or should players retain absolute choice.

 

[Psion]

Agreed. Also, I'm curious as to this card-based system you mention for stat generation?

I put up a quick summary in post #47.

Edit:
I threw a more complete summary up in the house rules forum:
http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=207297