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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Arial Black" data-source="post: 7264153" data-attributes="member: 6799649">One the one hand, I agree with you that our PCs should be more than a set of numbers. This is the appeal of RPGs after all.On the other hand, this thread is not about the definition of 'character' in RPGs, or whether numbers are less/more important than characterisation. This thread is about "Point-Buy Versus Rolling For Stats" (there's a clue in the title), so it seems strange to favour one stat generating method over the other on the grounds that 'stats do not really matter'.This thread is all about comparing stat generating methods, therefore for the purposes of this thread then the stats do matter.The general population has stats ranging from 3 to 18. Even in 5e, according to the 5e DMG. Since conceptually our PCs come from that population, all of those numbers are possible scores for our PCs.Point-buy disallows scores of less than 8. It also follows that out of the entire population those with any stat of 7 or less are not 'allowed' to be adventurers. When their village gets destroyed by orcs, they are not allowed to turn their ploughshares into swords and be thrust into a life of adventure.Why? Well...it can be argued (although not convincingly) that low stats are fatal flaws and that such people would not survive and not even try. Despite forty years of rolled PCs with a low stat saying otherwise.But point-buy also forbids stats above 15 (we are talking about the pre-racial adjustment scores here). Why? When the orcs destroyed the village, Thicko (Int 5), Jack (all stats 8-15) and Tiny (Str/Con 18) are the only survivors. They each salvage weapons and are determined to avenge their people and be swept up in a life of adventure. As they set out, a mysterious figure appears and holds up its hand. "Sorry Thicko, you are too stupid to be an adventurer. Jack, no problem. Tiny, I'm sorry but you are just too strong and tough to be an adventurer!"WTF? What do you mean, 'too strong to be an adventurer?' That makes no sense at all!"Of course it makes sense. If Tiny goes after the orcs alongside Jack, then Jack will feel like he's not contributing."Again, WTF? Actually, Jack says that if the disparity means they cannot adventure together then Jack will bow out because Tiny will get the Job done better than him."No, no, it can't be Tiny, he's just too....good!"That's...good. We want our best guy on the case!"No, it wouldn't be fair on the orcs"*tumbleweed* *Thicko picks nose*We all lost loved ones, and we are all going after the orcs."But Thicko will die because he's too stupid to live! No offence."None taken, dude. I am particularly stupid. In fact, in a statistically average room of 216 people only three people will be more stupid than me."And Tiny will kill the orcs too quickly, and Jack will feel bad."...No...I'll be totally okay with that.*mysterious stranger disappears in a puff of logic**Thicko puts something in his mouth-don't ask!*Who was the dude in the dress?</blockquote>

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