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Message: <blockquote data-quote="MostlyHarmless42" data-source="post: 7984103" data-attributes="member: 6845520">Your suggestion isn't going to break the game in either direction. The game is more or less balanced difficulty-wise on a primary ability score of 14 assuming you follow the rules of the DMG encounters. They do that mostly so non-optimal characters or players who are less system savvy can still be viable and have fun.What you'll likely see as a result of using a lower stat array is either 1) a further desire for rolling from players as both the 27 point buy and the array are already below the average dice rolls as is, and 2) even MORE pidgeonholing the more number conscious players into "stereotypical" characters (i.e. dwarven cleric, elven wizard, tiefling sorcerer, halfling rogue, etc.) as while the game is balanced around a 14, most players I've seen usually get finicky about having less than a 16 on their primary stat. If this is what you are wanting to achieve or at least are fine with that result go for it.Personally I shy away from making changes that discourage non-traditional builds as some of the more creative characters I've seen break the molds a bit. It's why I love that negative ability score penalties have largely gone the way of the dodo, it encourages players to try things like a half-orc wizard, or dwarven sorcerer without being overly penalized for their choice.Honestly? If you want your players to have a starting feat I'd just give them one and use the standard array, the power difference is not that much stronger. I run all my games with a starting feat AND give them 30 point buy and they still aren't too much more difficult to handle. I give them the 3 extra points over the standard 27 because I've found even just that little bit encourages them to try out a few alternatives with some of their secondary and tertiary scores, and while it may just be my players I've seen pretty much the full gambit of character concepts and different score combinations. At worst I just run slightly more difficult encounters each time until I find what challenges them how they like.</blockquote>

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