Pathfinder 1E Point-Buy system

[was]

We currently are using the Pathfinder point-buy system with a 20 point allotment. However, I am considering upping it to 25, considering that the campaign is relatively low magic. I figure that the pc's may end up relying on their base stats more than on magical bonuses. Any thoughts/problems that this may cause?

 

[Manabarbs]

It'll ease pressure on heavily MAD classes (those that rely on several stats being high) a bit, but will otherwise be nearly imperceptible. People sometimes talk about five-point differences in point buy as though they're the difference between scratching in the dirt for roots to eat and leaping from dragonback to dragonback, stabbing dragons in the head as you go, but really they're just a few +1's here and there. It's pretty easy to see, if you build some 20-point characters and then shuffle stats around to convert them to 25-point characters, that it rarely makes a striking difference. If you're trying to compensate for a low-magic setting than it probably doesn't hurt to go to 25, but it certainly shouldn't cause any problems.

 

[Ahnehnois]

Yeah. Overall, higher ability scores favor noncasters, but this is a pretty small number and won't change the game that much.

 

[foscadh]

One thing I do to throw a little bit of randomness in to point buy is I allow my players the option of keeping the scores as they build or rolling a D6 for each stat (i.e. all or none) with the following effects.
1 or 2 minus one for that stat
3 or 4 no effect
5 plus one for that stat
6 plus 2 for that stat
On average they gain a little of course a lucky series for rolls can make a big difference as can a bad series.

 

[Starfox]

If you want to compensate for low magic items, maybe grant extra stat increases as you level up?

 

[Michael Silverbane]

You can also grant stat increases as rewards, which is something that I've done in past games to good effect.

 

[Kasbark]

25 point buy is just fine, it wont make too much of a difference.

One houserule we use whenever we play low magic campaigns (where you'll not fint +1 or +2 items, everything magic is unique, such as boots that allow you to teleport a short distance a few times per day) is to give a stat increase at every even level, but you cannot improve a stat you have improved within the last 4 levels.

 

[Gfreak2x9]

I myself think 25pts is a good number, I've done 20pts many times before and I must say that it feels a tad too low!

 

[N'raac]

We generally use 25 - it feels about right.