D&D 5E (2014) What character generation method does your group use?

[Istbor]

Really depends on the campaign and the DM. In our group, there are a couple of us who DM. We typically like different ways to generate stats.

However as I stated, more so that differing DM styles, is what do we want to evoke in the particular campaign/adventure? Is this high fantasy? Grim and gritty? Something in between? That is the most determining factor on whether we will roll stats (4d6 drop lowest) or standard array/point buy. And then sometimes something totally different.

Last time I played, I think we did this thing were you get a pool of dice, and you mark down how many dice you are going to bid on a certain stat (minimum of 3), then see what your stats end up being. It was interesting, and it was a little more of a heroic campaign, so it fit I feel.

 

[GlassJaw]

I'm aware of the option. Do you use it?

Yup, works fine. I've used it as a player and DM. Fast, easy, and fair for everyone. I also allow 27 point-buy for players that want some customization (which is the cost of the standard array).

People make WAY too big of a deal of stat generation. It's trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist or unlock some kind of holy grail of character generation.

 

[Inchoroi]

I do 4d6 drop lowest 6 times, but have the players generate two arrays and choose between the first or second array. It makes for interesting characters with variability and low abilities sometimes, but you're not doomed to using one bad array.

 

[Tormyr]

The standard array does happen to fit as one option on the point buy spectrum. So if you allow point buy, you allow standard array but not necessarily the reverse.

 

[Shiroiken]

My current campaign is odd, because you create two characters at a time. Players can have numerous characters, but usually only play 1 at a time (unless there aren't enough players). It uses standard rolls (4d6k3), but you roll 3 sets, choosing two sets to use.

In general, my group's preferred methods (in order):

Roll (usually with some homebrew modifications)
Array (sometimes with several different equal arrays)
Point Buy (sometimes with a different value)

Point Buy often creates cookie cutter characters, with everyone having a high primary score, 14 Con, and 8s and 10s for Int, Str, and/or Cha. Array is kinda nice, but the standard one isn't great, especially for the standard human, so we like to create optional ones. Dice are nice, but it has the probability of creating sucky characters, so we usually have various methods to balance out the rolls.

 

[clearstream]

Yup, works fine. I've used it as a player and DM. Fast, easy, and fair for everyone. I also allow 27 point-buy for players that want some customization (which is the cost of the standard array).

People make WAY too big of a deal of stat generation. It's trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist or unlock some kind of holy grail of character generation.

Do you treat it as effectively part of customisation: it's an array that can be reached through points buy so if a player is okay with it, why not take it?

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

Standard Array, always. As much as the old school in me loves rolling stats, doing that there’s always going to be a bunch of people with nothing higher than a 14, and then one guy with an 18 that they swear they rolled fairly and nothing under 10.

I also like that that standard array method gives the player a tough choice as to what to do with that low stat, and the room for growth makes the choice of ASI vs. Feat more complex.

 

[clearstream]

Standard Array, always. As much as the old school in me loves rolling stats, doing that there’s always going to be a bunch of people with nothing higher than a 14, and then one guy with an 18 that they swear they rolled fairly and nothing under 10.

I also like that that standard array method gives the player a tough choice as to what to do with that low stat, and the room for growth makes the choice of ASI vs. Feat more complex.

Does your group or your players do points buy and sometimes go with standard array, or are they only permitted standard array?

 

[Blue]

I absolutely love the organic characters you get from rolling, especially rolling in order where yu get odd combonations to play with.

All of that said, the ASI vs. feat choice balance in 5e makes 5e a much better game mechanically with moderate starting stats and all of the characters int he same range. So much that I gladly give up rolling in order to enjoy the game system working well.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

Only standard array. Granted, one of my tables is nominally Adventurer’s League, which stipulates that players must use standard array.

Does your group or your players do points buy and sometimes go with standard array, or are they only permitted standard array?