The only disadvantage to point-buy that I see is that your character is not based off of a random array of numbers between 3 and 18. I see that as a feature, not a bug.
D&D 5E Point Buy vs Rolling for Stats
- Thread starter Klaudius Rex
- Start date
The only disadvantage to point-buy that I see is that your character is not based off of a random array of numbers between 3 and 18. I see that as a feature, not a bug.
I don't see it as an issue, if you're doing a MAD build, you have to compromise a bit. If you don't want the compromise simply allow for more than 27 points.
The odds of getting significantly better numbers with 4d6 drop lowest is less than 50%, the resulting average numbers are quite close.
Arial Black
Adventurer
The individual preferences we have are a separate thing to the objective advantages/disadvantages of each method, which we then assess and decide which package we prefer.
Nope. It really is just your opinion. [edit] To be more clear - objectively there are certain differences between rolling and point buy. Whether or not a particular difference is considered an "advantage" or "disadvantage" is an opinion.
Neither one is inherently better than the other, it's all just preference - one way is better for you, another way is better for me.
Everything else is trying to convince people your particular preference is somehow superior to theirs. And that is just tiresome.
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If your allowing a higher point buy why not allow a higher roll potential? The differences will be whether you pick your specific stats or have random but potentially still good stat choices from rolling.
It really all depends and what you consider good enough. I don't think one 16 and a couple 14s is good enough.
It really all depends and what you consider good enough. I don't think one 16 and a couple 14s is good enough.
Tony Vargas
Legend
Meh. You can not care that random generation might spark an idea when you're stumped if you're never blocked at chargen. That doesn't mean it's not an advantage of the method. Conversely, you may never approach chargen with a definite concept in mind, and thus not care that point-buy lets you build-to-concept, every time. But, it's still an advantage of the method.
Balance is similar. Some systems are better balanced than others. Some people value balance, some don't, some of them just don't realize how much they actually do value it - and more than you might think actively hate balance.
Doesn't mean we can't judge relative balance, just that there will be a lot of cross-talk.
That's neither, it's just a contrast with random. Making Caliban's point, a bit, there. ;(
D&D is good for SAD classes but poor for MAD classes. ;P
Seriously, though, point-buy's methodology makes putting lots of points in one stat less efficient than spreading them out a bit.
Wanting overall higher or lower stats to fit the campaign tone should be method-neutral. You can roll more dice, use an array with bigger numbers, or assign more points. :shrug:
Nod. That's pretty far afield, though. Random-and-arrange also gives the same degree of freedom as array, but it gives up some of the advantages, too.
They're prettymuch trade-offs. Indeed, some of the perceived disadvantages are just advantages looked at from a different angle, and vice-versa.
"Play the character you want" is truer of point-buy than of random or array, it's a legitimate advantage of the method, however reluctant you may be to acknowledge it and determined you may be to quibble over Oofta's wording of it.
The main disadvantage is it's vulnerability to optimization (which, like random delivering superior characters if you get lucky, is a 'disadvantage' beloved by some). It's mitigated with upper and lower limits on stats. It could be de-mitigated by removing those limits, making it that much more 'abuseable.'
For instance, if you wanted the inspiration potential of random, but the comparative balance of point-buy, you could generate a 3d6 (or whatever) in order character to see if it sparked an idea, then actually build to the concept using point-buy. I'm not sure if that's a variation of random or of point-buy, but nothing'd stops you from doing it if point-buy were the campaign standard.
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Arial Black
Adventurer
For that to be the case, there could be no inherent advantages or disadvantages to any method.
But that is not the case. For example, point-buy means each player assigns their points to the available scores as they see fit. This is not a subjective opinion, it is a fact. How much weight you give to this fact is up to you, but the fact that this method has that advantage is an objective truth.
It is also true that point-buy has the objective disadvantage (compared to rolling) that scores below 8 and above 15 are unavailable. How much weight you give that disadvantage is up to you, but it is an objective truth.
I'm not saying rolling is better or worse, just that standard 4d6 drop lowest does not give you a better chance of getting ability scores for your MAD class.
If you're using a modified rolling method that gives better numbers on average, that should not be compared to a 27 point buy.
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