D&D (2024) Suggestion: higher Standardarray instead of the additional +2/+1

[CleverNickName]

It's the default now. When the new version comes out, who knows.

And, incidentally, the use of the standard array is not an optional, variant, or house rule - it's right there beside random rolling in the PHB.

I just thought it was a funny turn of phrase, that's all. "Allowing" someone to use the rules as-written made me chuckle.

 

[Amrûnril]

I'd certainly be in favor of this.

So, it would be roll four times 4d6, one time 5d6 and one time 6d6? (of course always keeping the best three)

Rolled stats already average higher than point buy/standard array, so I'm not sure they'd actually require much adjustment. If they do need to be increased, I'd rather keep the tradition/symmetry of 6 x 4d6 but add some formalized rules for mulligans.

 

[Horwath]

just modify point buy:

32pts;

8: 0pts
9: 1pt
10: 2pts
11: 3pts
12: 4pts
13: 5pts
14: 6pts
15: 8pts
16: 10pts

or default array of 16,16,14,12,10,8

 

[delericho]

Rolled stats already average higher than point buy/standard array,

They're higher on average, but you lose out on control (especially compared with point buy). Rolling all 13s is, in theory, higher than the 27-point build allows, but given that most characters have only a couple of important stats, such a character would underperform.

(Of course, a lot of people "roll randomly", but keep rerolling until they get a set of stats they like, and if not allowed to do so will suicide a character they don't consider to be good enough. Which effectively gives them the best of both worlds - higher stats and good scope for optimization. But the rules can't really help you with that one. )

 

[Horwath]

They're higher on average, but you lose out on control (especially compared with point buy). Rolling all 13s is, in theory, higher than the 27-point build allows, but given that most characters have only a couple of important stats, such a character would underperform.

(Of course, a lot of people "roll randomly", but keep rerolling until they get a set of stats they like, and if not allowed to do so will suicide a character they don't consider to be good enough. Which effectively gives them the best of both worlds - higher stats and good scope for optimization. But the rules can't really help you with that one. )

this is why rolling for abilities should be an OPTION, and point buy default.

 

[gorice]

Stats are a weird shibboleth at this point, TBH. If WotC had any backbone, they'd trim them down to just the bonuses, and assign those based on class. Everything else is a sort of collective self-deception the community plays on itself.

 

[delericho]

this is why rolling for abilities should be an OPTION, and point buy default.

I've been playing for a long time and have tried any number of methods for generating stats, ranging from random rolls through to point buy and all manner of weird and wonderful variants in between. And in all that time I've never found a method that I've been particularly happy with for more than a single campaign.

Ultimately, I've concluded that there just isn't a single right way to do it. So, IMO, best not to present a default - just give the three options (roll, buy, array) and let people choose.

 

[delericho]

Stats are a weird shibboleth at this point, TBH. If WotC had any backbone, they'd trim them down to just the bonuses, and assign those based on class. Everything else is a sort of collective self-deception the community plays on itself.

They're also one of the genuinely sacred cows of the game. I would be extremely surprised if they were ever dropped, or even if the set of six we have now are changed (whether by adding, removing, or changing the stats).

 

[darjr]

I dig this! Simple and great for new players!

 

[Krachek]

I just thought it was a funny turn of phrase, that's all. "Allowing" someone to use the rules as-written made me chuckle.

Forcing point buy is the first house rule many DM make, even if they claim that they don’t use house rules!