D&D 4E Should Ability Scores in 4E Be Randomly Determined?

[kenmarable]

Definitely keep the roll as the default (and rolled hit points as well, for that matter). The randomness of character creation and growth really helps define the characters and make you think of things you normally wouldn't have. But that's just me.

However, I would vote for point buy and non-rolled hit points rules as options directly in the PHB. No reason to put that sort of stuff in the DMG since it is directly pertinent to the PHB and doesn't require a great number of words to explain. Plus, I think the reasons for using point buy and standard hit points are quite valid and should be easily supported and easily accessible, I just don't like them personally.

 

[Lord Zardoz]

.... Also, by God, can we stop with the 3-18 business if all we're going to use is the resulting modifier?

I would say no. Aside from being a reasonable sacred cow, the 3d6 based stats provide a rather obvious baseline average due to the resulting bell curve.

Also, we currently do use more than just the resulting bonus in 3.5 edition.

- Ability Damage
- Prerequisite values for feats and prestige classes
- Bonus spells for casters

END COMMUNICATION

 

[Wormwood]

Also, we currently do use more than just the resulting bonus in 3.5 edition.

- Ability Damage
- Prerequisite values for feats and prestige classes
- Bonus spells for casters

Couldn't all of those be easily ported to a simple Mod as Score [-5 to +5] system?

 

[hazmat]

I like a combination of point buy with rolling. A friend of mine whose starting a campaign came up with the idea.

Basically, the DM gives a point buy range like 28-32. You the character roll 4d6 drop the lowest 8 times. Arrange your scores to fit in the range. If they don't then roll another set.

This allows for organic characters (unlike point buy) and stops one character from having a 21 point buy stat array when another has a 42 point buy array when rolling randomly.

 

[Umbran]

Couldn't all of those be easily ported to a simple Mod as Score [-5 to +5] system?

Yes, but it would have approximately half the granularity of the current system - for the damage aspect, especially, this is a bit bothersome.

 

[Kaodi]

Random should be the option, fixed the standard. If you want to keep players and grow the hobby, when given a choice between two options, the standard rule should be the one least likely to result in driving a new player away. I can't see anyone dropping D&D because they roll a couple 1s on attacks in their first game, but if they roll a bunch of 1s during character generation and end of with a character who just sucks?

 

[Hunter In Darkness]

we always use dice like randome rolls and understand folks that like point buy whitch we dont way to cookie cutter if ya ask me.so dice as defalt and pointbuy as an option seems fair to me.

 

[Wormwood]

Yes, but it would have approximately half the granularity of the current system - for the damage aspect, especially, this is a bit bothersome.

Good point.

(of course, poison and disease would be twice as dangerous.

 

[delericho]

Honestly, I don't know.

The use of random rolls gives characters a certain je ne sais quoi that you don't get with point buy. On the other hand, point buy is more balanced. And it really sucks to be the one player to get really bad rolls in a group of superheroes.

I think perhaps the current arrangement is the way to go.

 

[Aus_Snow]

Point Buy default in the PHB with Dice Variants in the DMG.

Yes, this.

Though I know many people like their random stat generation (often only when that doesn't completely suck, mind you, and thus call for "necessary", "unique" exceptions, etc. - which completely negate most of the point of rolling the damn things. . . duh ) - uh, so I'm not completely sure it's best "for the game" and all that.

Might not be particularly relevant to me either way, so. . . meh, whatever. :\