D&D General Weapon Mastery - Yea or Nay?

[Jefe Bergenstein]

sure we can roll for stats, just so long as everyone has to use the same set of resulting stats.

That's how we do it when we roll. 4d6 drop lowest, in order. Everyone generates a set, anyone can use any of the results.

 

[CleverNickName]

When I'm in the DM chair, I always offer my players a choice to use either the 4d6 method or point-buy, and everyone always chooses to roll. The only times we've ever used point-buy was when the DM mandated it.

I'm not sure if that says more about the game we are playing, or the people playing it. (shrug)

 

[Corinnguard]

I'm not sure if that says more about the game we are playing, or the people playing it. (shrug)

The people playing it. I like using the 4d6 method because of its' randomness. You randomly roll 4d6, drop the lowest die and then think about how you want to arrange the numbers based on which class you want your character to be.

 

[CleverNickName]

The people playing it. I like using the 4d6 method because of its' randomness. You randomly roll 4d6, drop the lowest die and then think about how you want to arrange the numbers based on which class you want your character to be.

It feels a little more universal than just my own little gaming group, though. From the many different threads here on ENWorld and Reddit about character stat generation, I get the impression that most DMs prefer to use point-buy, and most players prefer to use the 4d6 method. I'm not saying that it's a good thing or a bad thing, it's just something I noticed.

Anyway, sorry for running off-topic. Weapon Mastery, me no likey.

 

[Corinnguard]

It feels a little more universal than just my own little gaming group, though. From the many different threads here on ENWorld and Reddit about character stat generation, I get the impression that most DMs prefer to use point-buy, and most players prefer to use the 4d6 method. I'm not saying that it's a good thing or a bad thing, it's just something I noticed.

Anyway, sorry for running off-topic. Weapon Mastery, me no likey.

If the thread stayed on topic, threads like this one would be awfully short. Probably just a page worth before everyone moved onto the next topic du jour.

 

[James Gasik]

I realized I posted in this thread, but didn't address what it was about! Mea culpa!

So I like having more options for non-magicians. I like having something to do that isn't "I attack". I like there being reasons to choose weapon A or weapon B. So I'm for weapon masteries...but I will agree that it could have been done better.

For example, in Tales of the Valiant, each weapon has Weapon Options associated with them. Anyone can attempt them as an action if they have the right weapon in hand. Some classes can perform a Weapon Option as a bonus action. The ToV version of the battle master (weapon master) can even opt to deal damage with a weapon option that trades out damage for an effect. I kind of like this system, and it doesn't require you to decide to use specific weapons- pick up a Sling and you can attempt a Ricochet Shot.

 

[DinoInDisguise]

I get the impression that most DMs prefer to use point-buy, and most players prefer to use the 4d6 method.

This is fairly easy to explain. DMs have a different interest from the players. DMs that Ive asked always cite character balance relative to each other, and the lower maximum stat. Player's, in my experience, always cite rolling is fun and/or randomness.

What I find odd is what you said above;

When I'm in the DM chair, I always offer my players a choice to use either the 4d6 method or point-buy, and everyone always chooses to roll.

This is odd to me, because when I offer players point buy vs 3d6, they pick point buy almost every time. So I have this theory that players pick 4d6, over point buy, because it lends itself to higher stats, and the randomness of rolling is just a red herring.

So now I offer point buy, 3d6 or free pick. That way it's clear what each person is actually after. And, not surprisingly, 3d6 is almost never the pick. This aligns with my theory, but the sample size of a few dozen players isn't exactly ironclad.

It's all interesting to me.

 

[CreamCloud0]

So now I offer point buy, 3d6 or free pick. That way it's clear what each person is actually after. And, not surprisingly, 3d6 is almost never the pick.

free pick?

 

[DinoInDisguise]

free pick?

Yeah. Do what you want. Pick 18s across the board if it wiggles your worm. I literally let players pick their ability scores freely.

Oddly, it works fine in my experience. I have yet to have a player game the system.