D&D 5E Point Buy vs Rolling for Stats

[cbwjm]

If I want commoner stats I look at the role they play. A commoner who is a blacksmith will have higher strength and constitution, a sage will have higher intelligence, etc. They will also have skills to complement their roll, possibly with expertise.

At the point though, I don't really think of them as commoners, commoners for me tend to be the unskilled plebs in society. The tavern wench, the farm hand, the beggar in the street. All of them I'd use just regular commoner stats, if I was going to even bother giving them stats.

 

[Krachek]

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.

What is a commoner? A people who do a common job? We are in DnD, the guy who clean the dishes may not be what he look like, and yes its stat may appears to bump. Otherwise if it's only a true commoner does It matter if it's main stat is a 10,a12 or even a14?

 

[Ancalagon]

Edit = this was a terrible post and I should delete it. Even though I was right, so what, it won't achieve anything.

 

[Maxperson]

No, by default players use 4d6. Most NPCs aren't rolled at all. Or do you think the 'Guard' in the SRD rolled 12, 11, 11, 9, 10, 9 before adding his +1 racial bonus for being human?

The average numbers for NPCs and monsters have never been what they all have for stat numbers. They are the lazy DM's numbers and are just listed that way so that the DM doesn't have to roll them up if he doesn't want to. The same goes for monster/NPC hit points. The stat spread of NPCs, including guards, is 3-19 for humans, just like it is for PCs.

 

[Tony Vargas]

They are the lazy DM's numbers and are just listed that way so that the DM doesn't have to roll them up if he doesn't want to.

You mean the way monster damage is often noted as an average, like "10 (3d6)" or "10 (2d4+5)?" Reasonable. One difference, though: there's no parenthetical dice notation in any of the stat blocks.

The average numbers for NPCs and monsters have never been what they all have for stat numbers.

They're stat blocks, not average numbers.

But, if you want to take them as average numbers, infer the rolling method from them. The Commoner, with straight 10s clearly implies 3d6, with it's average of 10.5, for ordinary folks. Sure, it could be 2d6+3 or 2d4+5 or d12+4, but 3d6 should get the nod for the sake of tradition.

 

[pming]

Hiya!

You could always try "reverse psychology" on 'em...

I did this a couple decades ago; same problem as you...mostly with just two players (the other 5...no problems). So, what I did when we decided to start a new campaign (this was with 1e, btw). I laid out the method thusly:

Step One: Decide what kind of character you want to play; race and class.
Step Two: Pick your stats.
Step Three: Fill in the blanks.

...HINT! It was step 2 that was most interesting!

Yeah, they were told to PICK their stats. One of the two 'extra-lucky' players chose decent; I think he had 'only' one 18, but everything else was relatively tame...as was everyone else at the table. The other 'extra-lucky' player had the same type of stats; like, two 18's, a couple 16's, and the rest between 15 and 12, at lowest. I mentioned out loud Er, those are some nice stats.... He replied with "Oh, I got lucky. I didn't want to pick, it's boring, so I rolled". I thought to myself, Ok...looks like I have to lay down the law now...the issue has been forced.... So...I had his character find a Mirror of Opposition. He had to fight himself. He died. When he died, I specifically said "PICK your stats now...nor rolling or anything.

After that, his characters were "mostly" acceptable. Everyone at the table just shrugged and got used to his characters having good stats. And, seriously, in AD&D 1e, stats really don't matter all that much anyway.

Try it. I double doppleganger dare ya!

^_^

Paul L. Ming

 

[Maxperson]

They're stat blocks, not average numbers. But, if you want to take them as average numbers, infer the rolling method from them. The Commoner, with straight 10s clearly implies 3d6, with it's average of 10.5, for ordinary folks.

Yes they are average numbers. Page 89 of the DMG says to note the stats that are above average for NPCs. That means that the ones given are averages. Even if you go with 3d6 for commoners, a village of 300 will still have a 19 and 4ish 18's floating around. Above 16 for a stat is hardly superhuman like [MENTION=22779]Hussar[/MENTION] is claiming.

 

[Tony Vargas]

Yes they are average numbers. Page 89 of the DMG says to note the stats that are above average for NPCs. That means that the ones given are averages.
.

I read the passage you quote out of context. It means nothing of the kind. It is not discussing NPC stat blocks, but DM-created NPCs.

Not only that, but the larger section makes it perfectly clear that there is no expectation of NPC stats being rolled, let alone be rolled on 4d6.

. Above 16 for a stat is hardly superhuman like [MENTION=22779]Hussar[/MENTION] is claiming.

Oh, I'm not agreeing with Hussar, just disagreeing with /everyone/ rolling 4d6.

 

[Ancalagon]

The game doesn't tell us how ordinary people's stats are rolled. We have to make a ruling.

With my experience of previous editions, it seems clear that a random person has 3d6 rolled in order, and the pc method is geared to create exceptional individuals.

Others with different outlooks will rule differently.

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using EN World mobile app

 

[Hussar]

The average numbers for NPCs and monsters have never been what they all have for stat numbers. They are the lazy DM's numbers and are just listed that way so that the DM doesn't have to roll them up if he doesn't want to. The same goes for monster/NPC hit points. The stat spread of NPCs, including guards, is 3-19 for humans, just like it is for PCs.

So, mechanics only apply to world building when it's convenient. Interesting.

I just wanted to thank you for the mike drop moment back there. You freely admit that you die roll in order to score higher stats for your character and not "gimp" yourself by using a standard array. Thanks bud. It's good when honesty comes out.