Informal DM Survey: Stat Generation Method?

[Legend]

Here's a quick question for all you DMs out there... What method do you have your players use to generate base stats? And given your stat generation method, what would a typical player's base stats look like?

Also, do you generate NPC stats in the same way, or do you use some other method?

My own method is to let my characters take stats that add up to some arbitrary total (usually 81). My players are generally trustworthy, so one one yet has set their strength, dex, and con all to 18 at the expense of the mental stats. I've warned them that if they abuse the system, I'll make them use the point-buy system from the DM's guide.

As for NPCs, I use the same system, although generally at a lower point total unless the NPC is going to be a major recurring character.

 

[CrusadeDave]

I prefer Point Buy Method.

Here's a quick question for all you DMs out there... What method do you have your players use to generate base stats? And given your stat generation method, what would a typical player's base stats look like?

Also, do you generate NPC stats in the same way, or do you use some other method?

Okay, three questions, three answers.

1. I use the DMG point buy method, giving the players 32 points. My party is usually 3 members large, and they therefore, usually all end up multiclassing a bit to help cover all the bases. Although I get grumbles, I prefer point buy to rolling in order to keep the relative power levels at the table equal. I also try to place loot to keep everyone within striking distance of each other's gear. Call me a commie.

2. I have never seen a player buy a 17 or 18 as it is just too expensive. Usually buying a 15 is as high as it goes, and they advance to 16 at level 4. I would tend to see 15, 14, 14, 14, 12, 10 as a typical stat block. Or 16, 14, 14, 14, 12, 8. This tends to make players a little more powerful at lower levels, as they have fewer weaknesses, but a little less powerful at upper levels, where their lack of true strengths starts to hurt them.

3. All commoners have 3d6 point buys, stats vary on what they do, sine they're the apprentices of the world. Experts, Warriors, Aristocrats, and Adepts all get between a 4d6 point buy as they are the people who make the daily grind happen in my campaign world. NPC's with character classes get a 6d6 point buy if they're considered mundane, and if they're considered elite, get a 8d6 point buy. Sometimes this means the BBEG has some serious weaknesses. That gives me some ideas on motivation. Sometimes the flunky has more "potential" than his boss, that usually gives me motivation to possibly help the Pc's and betray his boss.

 

[Crothian]

It depends on the players and the group. In my small group I had them just assign stats as they wanted. In my bigger group they rolled 4d6 took the best three and assigned the numbers how they wanted. I perfer allowing the players to just choose their stats, but in the larger group we have many people new to the system and I felt it would be better for them to make characters the more traditional way.

Typical stats for the rolling are: 16, 15, 13, 12, 12, 8
Typical stats for choosing are: 16, 15, 13, 13, 11, 11
I've never had anyone choose a stat high then 16 or lower then 10.

NPC stats are choosen by me. I never worry about dice or point buy. It allows me to give the stats the NPC deserves.

 

[Thanee]

We usually roll stats.

Last time we used standard 4d6 drop lowest, one other time 4d6 drop lowest in order but one pair of stats could be swapped in position afterwards.

I also like and might try that once, to have the players divide a set number of d6 (i.e. 25) over their six stats (three d6 minimum) and then roll that number, keeping the three best results for each stat.

Stats are usually quite decent with few high (16+), some good (13-15) and some moderate stats (8-12). My last stats with 4d6 drop lowest have been 18, 17, 17, 15, 12, 10. But that's not really average...

I never use any stat generation method for NPCs, but rather decide upon their stats as it seems fit.

Bye
Thanee

 

[dshai527]

NPC's: I just decide what they are based on what my players have.

Players: 4d6 drop the lowest and select where they go. We see a varying level of stats, but we like that. We don't really care about how balanced things are, because at some point everyone seems to shine. It is especially funny when the high stated person is saved by the low guy. Average stats would be 16,15,13,12,11,8 or there abouts. We have a few 18's but not all that often anymore.

 

[Jixan]

I always do point buy-in with the point value determined by the power of the campaign. To me, it's a fair way to go, avoiding the case where somebody rolls abnormally high or low stats during character creation and gets a major advantage over other players or suffers from a major disadvantage. I prefer to keep everyone on a level playing field.

-Jixan

 

[Davelozzi]

My own method is to let my characters take stats that add up to some arbitrary total (usually 81).

I've generally offered my players the option of choosing between doing something similar to the above (though I think I had a smaller point total) or rolling (4d6, drop lowest, arrange as a desired, roll second set of six scores and choose which set is preferred - no mixing). If they choose to roll they have to keep one of their two sets, no going back to the point total method afterwards.

Nine out of nine players all chose to roll. One or two of them ended up a little below whatever total number of points I had assigned for the other method, but most came out on top.

 

[reveal]

I used to give my players the option of 4d6 drop the lowest or 32 point buy. I've since gone completely to 32 point buy. As Jixan said, it keeps it fair for those who have crappy dice rolls. I also find it lends itself better to character creation because you can really "tweak" your character to fit your image rather than having to put in an arbitrary number.

 

[Philip]

Used to be a strong believer in the dice rolling method, but now strongly in favor of the point buy method (usually 28 points).

It used to be that rolling once very well at the start of your PC career equalled rolling very well during the rest of your career. I just don't like that.

 

[Camarath]

My groups uses a custom Dice Roll setup for stats. I use base racial stats for fodder NPCs and monsters. For special NPCs and mosters I use the same system I used for character stats.