Rolling characters...what's your favorite method?

[Werewolf_26]

We created a stat matrix of 100 different sets of stats.

Everyone rolls 1d100 twice on the table, choosing which set they want based on bonus (+4 total, +8 total, etc).

The Player decides where to place the stats.

That way the players with cold dice don't end up with poor characters and the ones with hot dice don't out shine the others to badly. Everyone is on equal ground.

Werewolf_26
"Green Warrior is about to die."

 

[thundershot]

Re: Mega-Dice

I can't take credit for this, 'cause I borrowed it from someone else - whose name escapes me...

24d6, discard the lowest six, organize the rest into groups of three.

This generates stats that are, obviously, on the high side. Still, of the nine players I have currently three have stats that give them penalties (they do, however, also have at least one 18 each).

The thing I like about this method is that it allows the player to customize their ability scores somewhat, but still has a random element to it.

And you get to roll tons of dice. Always fun.

Hey! That's what I did for a while! I stopped doing it though when everyone started having VERY similar stats. I went back to the traditional method of 4d6 drop the lowest.


Chris

 

[2WS-Steve]

I use point-buy but I've contemplated going with the default array: 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, and 8. It seems like this would generate some nice variability in characters and the odd numbers are things you just don't see too often in a point buy system.

 

[Magius del Cotto]

Well, you could always take a mix. Say, 15 point buy, with 1d6 for each stat (needs balancing, but its a workable system). This should give you the balance of the point buy system, while still letting the characters be at least somewhat "made by fate".

 

[Ace]

I just let the players set whatever stats they like.

Yes you heard me right, the players! I reserve the right to nerf as needed but so far the system worked out fine for me.

I I get a party full of Uber guys and gals than hey I guess I just bump up the oppostion or scale back magic items.

I figure it this way, +1 or +2 on a stats is meaningless with cheap abundant skill boost items and as a player there is nothing worse than being stuck playing a weak charcter you don't like. Gee I'd play a monk but the dice were crappy today and my highest stat is 15-- I guess I'll play a Rogue, YUUCH

I do have a question though...
How can your players stand the 25/28 point buy system? It produces (IMO) weak characters and severly limits the choices open to you.
Honestly a 25 point buy monk? Orc Bait.
Even a fighter is pretty iffy unless you want a lot of dump stats

If my GM enforced a rule like that I would just smile thank him for his time and leave the campaign.

YMMV but when I play D&D I want to play heroic characters who are not dependant on magic items to be any good.

I wouldn't use the DMG point buy system but if I did 32 would be about as low as I could stand. I would probably use 30+2d6 points or something.

 

[Cedric]

Picked up a method from a friend...I hope he doesn't mind if I post it here.

Roll 3d6 x 7. Drop the lowest, do this three times, reroll 8 or lower. Take the best set of those stats.

Roll 4d6 drop lowest until you get a 14+, replace your lowest stat with this number. Arrange to taste...

I like it, but the GM has to look at the 3 available choices, cause if they rolled badly enough you usually let them keep rolling until they get something that doesn't suck.

Cedric

 

[Cedric]

I wouldn't use the DMG point buy system but if I did 32 would be about as low as I could stand.

If I ever use point buy, it'll be 40 points. Sorry for the "Munchkin Haters" but like you I can't stand non-heroic D&D. On the other side of things, I find the people who give like straight 16-18+ stats to be worse...that's kind of ridiculous.

Cedric

 

[bwgwl]

i prefer point-buy 32 to 40 points. (yes, i like DMing high-powered campaigns. )

my first 3e campaign i let people roll, and like others have relayed, i ended up with PCs at wildly divergent power levels, which led to some bad feelings among players. one guy rolled a 17 and 2 16s, with nothing under 11. another guy rolled only one 14 and a couple of 12s, 11s, and 10s. a third guy managed to roll a 3 (!) with the rest being average (13-10). obviously, these guys are nowhere near balanced, and that definitely came out during play.

besides, i came back to D&D after many years of using systems like GURPS and HERO, so point-buy non-random character creation just feels more "right" to me.

 

[bwgwl]

I just let the players set whatever stats they like.

bravo! i wish i had your courage.

i like point buy for the reasons you mention -- it lets the players make the character they want without being dependent on what they roll.

like you and Cedric, i prefer high-powered, heroic gaming. i guess that's why i don't like Harn.

 

[baradtgnome]

20 plus years of the roll 4d6 drop lowest 6 times, arrange as you like. If you roll a bartender, start again.

This does not get the even party feel of point buy, but hey you are rolling you own.

And the dice never lie.