*Standard* Array

[Mouseferatu]

Really? I don't (and have never) seen an 8 as a "very low stat" in any edition of D&D. Sure, it's worse than average, but that's what I see it as.

I guess it's a question of what you're used to. As I said, I do sometimes deliberately go for an 8 for RP purposes, if that's how I see the character. But if I don't have such a "weakness" in mind already, I tend to see "average" as the baseline. (These are adventurers, after all. People who are too below average don't tend to survive. )

I don't think I've ever seen a 4e character that uses the "standard" array...

Heh. Except in a campaign where we rolled, I've almost never seen one that doesn't.

 

[Mr. Wilson]

I've usually played MAD classes (1H Fighter (str-con), Taclord (int-str), StarLock (cha-con), Balanced Cleric (str-wis)) so I favor the 16, 16, 12, 12, 10, 8 build myself.

Rogues/Rangers/Wizards I can see buying the 20s, however.

 

[mevers]

The only time I'll choose an odd stat is when I need it to hit a feat pre-req (usually 13) and it then won't be bumped, or when I can see that I'll be able to get away with bumping an odd pair of secondary/tertiary stats.

Except then I still will generally start with a 12, and let it increase to 13 at level 11 "naturally" to avoid the odd stat.

 

[amysrevenge]

For some reason, I think it is the powergamer in me, but I really hate starting with odd stats, as then you have a left over stat point (from leveling up) at level 30, and that just seems like a "waste."

I used to be like that, then I realized that the way I play it will be forever until I hit level 28 anyway, and if I can get a lot more mileage out of it right now...

Also, it feels nice to get that extra little boost at level 4, rather than having to wait for level 8. And a second one at 11, instead of waiting for 14. Etc.

 

[garyh]

16, 16, 12, 12, 10, 8 gets a lot of mileage for me.

 

[vagabundo]

Roll 3d6's for your stats in order. No re-rolls. That should liven things up.

 

[TheNovaLord]

yeah Vag...everthing seems so sterile in character creation in 4e using defaults.

roll 18d6 and put groups of 3 in whatever stats you wish, i say.

 

[tuxgeo]

I've been thinking about this lately. I have noticed myself in a rut, so to speak, with character creation. I will choose 18,14,11,10,10,8 or 17,15,13,10,10,8 almost exclusively when building a character.

Has anyone else found what they feel is an optimal stat array?

Jay

Not one optimal array, no; but several favorites with a central tendency. Most of the time I find myself trying 16-14-14-13-10-8 first, but it depends on the race and class: Humans only get one +2 boost, so that limits me; also, MAD classes need to be fiddled with more to get where I want to go.
I drew up an elf Cleric using 16-13-13-13-12-10, and a human Druid (from the Forgotten Heroes class, not the WotC class) using 16-14-14-13-10-8, and an elf Troubadour (from the Advanced Player's Guide) using 16-15-13-12-11-8 (it's both MAD and Psychic, so I wanted an 11 in WIS to get +2-boosted 13 at Level 1 to qualify for Dark Fury before Paragon, because I wouldn't boost it by choice at 4 or 8 -- I need those boosts for the two attack stats).

 

[WayneLigon]

My standard array is usually point buy resulting in 14 14 14 13 12 10. It would take a hell of a lot to get me to accept an 8.

 

[Turtlejay]

In 3.5 the only place I would stick an odd was in strength (because it still helped your carry capacity). In 4e if I have an odd left over I most likely stick in in constitution, since it still gives you an extra hitpoint. I hate odds. 5e should do away with the +1 for ever 2 points over 10.

Jay