D&D 5E Point Buy vs Rolling for Stats

[Satyrn]

Still think you're far more hung up on PC-vs.-PC stat differences than is warranted by experience in play.

Given his experiences he's talked about, I'd say his hang up is warranted.

He's talked about at least the one game, where the disparity between his wife's stats and those of a friend's lessened both players' enjoyment.

 

[Jacob Marley]

Less seriously, what kind of demented Lake-Wobegone 'realism' are you talking about?

Being a Minnesotan, [MENTION=23751]Maxperson[/MENTION]'s realism seems right to me. Here, all the women are strong, the men are good looking, and all our children are above average!

 

[Caliban]

OK it's time to settle this once and for all:

All of you have been doing it wrong this entire time.


...That is all.

 

[Satyrn]

OK it's time to settle this once and for all:

All of you have been doing it wrong this entire time.


...That is all.

 

[Tony Vargas]

But see, that's where I disagree right off the bat. A commoner isn't equally good/bad in every aspect of their life. Each person is a mix of stats, so to say a commoner is centered around an average of 10 is reasonably, but not all 10s. Certainly a blacksmith is stronger than most clergy, for example.

Then assume different stats, it's your prerogative as a DM to do so.

I also don't see any reason why a system can't be designed that acknowledges the world and not just the PCs.

It can be. It's just pointless. Like the Post Office assigning zip codes to Alpha Centauri and The Shire.

Agreed on what the DM can do when creating an NPC. My goal isn't necessarily to roll for every NPC, etc. It's more that I prefer a system that can be used for that if desired. Really, it's a matter of defining what result you want in terms of stats, and the system is designed to support that.

And different DMs may want quite different results, so the system that supports that is: "do whatever, you're the DM!"

 

[Lanefan]

OK it's time to settle this once and for all:

All of you have been doing it wrong this entire time.

Yes, but who's been doing it wrong the best - that's the most important question!

 

[Ilbranteloth]

Yes, but who's been doing it wrong the best - that's the most important question!

Oh, I have no doubt I'm the wrongest.

 

[Ilbranteloth]

A commoner is an NPC the PC dont care about. Do we have to know that the Blacksmith have 13.564 strength!
DnD is not a sim game. Population, economics, politic need only sketchy rules.

But if you choose to make a particular commoner have three 18 stat, he is no longer a "commoner".
He is rather a future hero, and the PC should sign him right away!

Not assigning stats is different. Most of the people that the characters in our campaign care about are commoners. Most of their family and friends, for example. And most of the time, they don't need stats, but often they do.

 

[Krachek]

Not assigning stats is different. Most of the people that the characters in our campaign care about are commoners. Most of their family and friends, for example. And most of the time, they don't need stats, but often they do.

When a Pc start caring about a npc he is no more a commoner. He is my "friend the cook". And I'm sure that these character have skill, knowledge, flavor. They became meaningfull npc and the DM guide have plenty of tools to create flavorful npc.

 

[Ilbranteloth]

When a Pc start caring about a npc he is no more a commoner. He is my "friend the cook". And I'm sure that these character have skill, knowledge, flavor. They became meaningfull npc and the DM guide have plenty of tools to create flavorful npc.

So their stats suddenly jump from commoner to something else? Of course not. They are still a commoner.

Obviously I don't think that's what you mean. But the comment was specifically about the stats that a commoner would have. The NPC remains a commoner in stats regardless of whether they are an important NPC or not. And due to circumstances in the campaign, quite frequently they need stats.

The standard array is too much for a common NPC, and the commoner stats of 10 across the board don't work for me either. When we need to determine what an "important" commoner has for stats, it's trivial for me to just roll them quickly if needed. No reason for me not to use it if it works for that point in time.