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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ForceUser" data-source="post: 963830" data-attributes="member: 2785">Our method is actually a hybrid of point-buy and rolling, and we find that it creates characters who add up to roughly the same point totals but with interestingly varied stats. Here's a step-by-step:1. As DM, choose a baseline point build for your campaign (such as 25- or 28-point buy).2. Have your players roll 3d6, straight down. Add up the points, subtracting points for scores of less than 8. For example, rolling Str 12, Dex 10, Con 5, Int 14, Wis 11, and Cha 13 will net you a total of 16 points using Table 2-1: Ability Score Point Costs on page 20 of the DMG. That's +19 points, -3 for the 5 Dex. These are the character's "raw" stats.3. Allow the player to flip-flop one set of raw stats. Continuing the above example, the player could swap the 13 in Cha for the 5 in Con. 4. Subtract the total points from your absolute point-buy and allow the player to put the remaining points where she likes. If the DM in the above example is running a 28-point campaign, the player would the have 12 points left over to distribute as she wished. In the event that a player rolls exceptionally well and above your point-buy total, allow them to keep their stats and give them 4 extra points. All players, regardless of how well they rolled, will always be allowed at least 4 points to distribute.5. Once the player has distributed their points, apply racial modifiers. You're done. We like this system because it is flexible enough to allow a player some options regarding character creation, but rigid enough so the DM can enjoy organic deviation across the players group's stats. The downfall of rolling is its utter randomness, which can lead to frustration; the trouble with straight point-buy is you tend to see repetitive stats after a while: the wizard will always use Str as his dump stat, the fighter will always use Cha as his dump stat, etc. Our method allows for interestingly varied characters, such as a fighter with a 13 Cha or a wizard with a 14 Str. We find that our system allows for the best of both worlds.</blockquote>

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