Hello, I'm a new poster. I would appreciate any and all feedback.
I am considering trying out a method of ability score generation that I have not used before.
Instead of using 5e's standard array, using 4d6 drop the lowest, or using 3d6 in order (god forbid), I intend to use a group-based ability score generation method.
In summary:
Step 1: Each player rolls 3d6 in order.
Step 2: The players swap the ability score arrays that they have rolled, based on what type of PC they want to play (i.e. if you rolled an awesome Int score but don't want to play a Wizard, swap your array with the player who DOES want to play a wizard)
Step 3: The DM rolls 3d6 once per player--each of the DM's rolls can be swapped with any PC's ability score roll.
Step 4: The players, as a group, decide which PCs get to swap ability score rolls with the DM's rolls: One PC can swap ability scores with all of the DM's rolls, each PC can swap one ability score with a score that the DM rolled, every PC can keep his/her own rolls, or the players can choose any permutation in between; it is entirely up to them.
Justification:
This method should lead to balance within the party while also generating PCs with novel ability scores. The 1st and 2nd step should give each player a PC that has, more or less, what they need to play their class (and some bizarre random ability scores besides). The 3rd and 4th step should, then, compensate the players who ended up with the weaker PCs.
My presumption is that players, if given the choice, will be fair. Anybody who accepts a weak PC in the 2nd step will be compensated in the 4th step. But, alternately, if the players decide to give one PC a gratuitously strong set of ability scores, that's cool too; it's their call.
For the more experienced DMs out there: Do you think this method will generate a more balanced party? And, do you think this method will generate more varied PCs?
Thanks in advance,
Squibbles.
I am considering trying out a method of ability score generation that I have not used before.
Instead of using 5e's standard array, using 4d6 drop the lowest, or using 3d6 in order (god forbid), I intend to use a group-based ability score generation method.
In summary:
Step 1: Each player rolls 3d6 in order.
Step 2: The players swap the ability score arrays that they have rolled, based on what type of PC they want to play (i.e. if you rolled an awesome Int score but don't want to play a Wizard, swap your array with the player who DOES want to play a wizard)
Step 3: The DM rolls 3d6 once per player--each of the DM's rolls can be swapped with any PC's ability score roll.
Step 4: The players, as a group, decide which PCs get to swap ability score rolls with the DM's rolls: One PC can swap ability scores with all of the DM's rolls, each PC can swap one ability score with a score that the DM rolled, every PC can keep his/her own rolls, or the players can choose any permutation in between; it is entirely up to them.
Justification:
This method should lead to balance within the party while also generating PCs with novel ability scores. The 1st and 2nd step should give each player a PC that has, more or less, what they need to play their class (and some bizarre random ability scores besides). The 3rd and 4th step should, then, compensate the players who ended up with the weaker PCs.
My presumption is that players, if given the choice, will be fair. Anybody who accepts a weak PC in the 2nd step will be compensated in the 4th step. But, alternately, if the players decide to give one PC a gratuitously strong set of ability scores, that's cool too; it's their call.
For the more experienced DMs out there: Do you think this method will generate a more balanced party? And, do you think this method will generate more varied PCs?
Thanks in advance,
Squibbles.
Last edited: