Rolling Characters... how do you like this?

[diaglo]

I've rolled characters in the past, but I never inhaled.

you roll them only when you need some fast cash for your d20 habit?

 

[Thanee]

Ok, now that we know that hong likes to roll characters from atop of hills, I'm mainly interested in how you like the concept of restricting the usually (at least I think that this is the generally accepted method) free distribution of your 6 stat rolls!

Bye
Thanee

 

[hong]

Ok, now that we know that hong likes to roll characters from atop of hills, I'm mainly interested in how you like the concept of restricting the usually (at least I think that this is the generally accepted method) free distribution of your 6 stat rolls!

Bye
Thanee

I think it would be fine as an occasional thing, but if it's a campaign that's going to go for a couple of years, I'd want the freedom to make a character to my taste.

Okay, now you tell me who your avatar babe is.

 

[diaglo]

Ok, now that we know that hong likes to roll characters from atop of hills, I'm mainly interested in how you like the concept of restricting the usually (at least I think that this is the generally accepted method) free distribution of your 6 stat rolls!

i never found the Original D&D (1974) method to be restricting. nor do i find the newer methods to be free. there is no such thing as a free lunch (TINSTAAFL) but your mileage may vary. (YMMV)

 

[Thanee]

Okay, now you tell me who your avatar babe is.

Ah, hong, where's the fun in life if every mystery is solved?

Bye
Thanee

 

[welby]

Ok, now that we know that hong likes to roll characters from atop of hills, I'm mainly interested in how you like the concept of restricting the usually (at least I think that this is the generally accepted method) free distribution of your 6 stat rolls!

I like it because it tends to create more interesting characters. Something else I tried, and liked, was having everyone roll 4d6 drop lowest. Then, whichever player rolled the highest single roll, everyone replaced their own highest roll with that one. Same thing for the lowest. This made it some everyone had a handicap stat, and everyone had a "hero" stat.

 

[Magic Slim]

Okay, now you tell me who your avatar babe is.

You mean that's not Thanee?

Eeps.

As for restriction, never been a big fan.

Slim

 

[Ed Cha]

I use the following system that is included in the GM Tips section of The Hamlet of Thumble:

Distributing Ability Scores by Power Level
Determine whether your campaign setting is a low, medium, or high-power world. Have each player roll a 1d6 to add to one of the total points listed below, depending on the power level of your world. Then, ask players to distribute them among the six abilities, allocating at least eight points and no more than 16 points to any single ability. Humans can allocate up to 18 points in any single ability, while other races may go below eight or above 16 through their racial traits.

Power Level Points
Low 70
Medium 75
High 80

 

[Zerakon]

Humans can allocate up to 18 points in any single ability, while other races may go below eight or above 16 through their racial traits.

Do you mean "may not?"

Either way, I'm surprised you could talk about character creation in a d20 product. I thought that was prohibited?

 

[Senior Bobo]

For rolling characters I decided on 4d6 drop lowest, but without distribution, that is roll for Str, roll for Dex, and so on.

To make it fair and to give everyone the chance to play whatever he/she would prefer, the players could then have the rolls for two stats switch position

What do you think of this?

What your describing is pretty much the 'organic' method described in the 3.0 DMG (haven't looked in 3.5 DMG for it). 4d6 drop lowest, in order, swap any 2. The only extra step is it lets you reroll one stat of you choice after all this. I've used this method all the times in my games. It's flexible enough to pretty much let you play what you'd like without being a point buy system with no surprises.

Personally, as both a player and a DM, I love having my characters come with surprises. Even if I go into a character roll up session knowing I'll make a wizard I like finding out by chance that I have a bad dex but a high strength. I never would have gone into the process with that goal in mind but once I see the stats the character just sort of starts making itself.

Some of my absolute favorite characters I had no idea what I'd be playing until after I saw the stats on the character sheet. Somehow slightly limiting your ability to completly tailor your character's stats adds a flavor of 'These are the cards fate has dealt me. What's the best I can do with them?' I think there are a lot of great adventures founded on that premise.