What mechanic do you use to determine ability scores?

[DmQ]

I can think of a few…

3D6 Per Ability.
No leeway in score variation. Extremely Limited customizability. Closest to reality.
(Ex: Rolling for each ability individually, 3d6 hard core.)

4d6 –Lowest; Per Ability
No leeway in score variation. Extremely Limited customizability. Closer to reality.
(Ex: Rolling for each ability individually, 4d6 not counting lowest die roll)

4d6 –Lowest; Free Assign (Core Rules)
Little leeway in score variation. Limited customizability.
(Ex: Rolling a set of 6 numbers, 4d6 not counting lowest die roll, and assigning them freely)

Base + Sliding Scale
Good leeway in score variation. Medium customizability.
(Ex: 10 in all abilities and 24 Points to assign; -1/-7 are +1:1; +1/+3 are -1:1; +4/+6 -2:1; +7/+8 -3:1)
(an 18 would cost 13 points!)

Base + Non-Sliding Scale
Highest leeway in score variation. Highest customizability.
(Ex: 3 in all abilities and ~60 Points to assign; 1:1)
(an 18 Cost 15 Points)

Other

 

[Nifft]

Base + Sliding Scale is the term you use for 32-Point Buy, right?

-- N

 

[DmQ]

Base + Sliding Scale is the term you use for 32-Point Buy, right?

-- N

Like in Bauldurs Gate (sp?).

Edit: I meant Neverwinter Nights.

 

[Nifft]

Like in Bauldurs Gate (sp?).

Uh, like in the DMG... sorry, didn't play that one.

-- N

 

[Pseudonym]

As a DM I prefer 32 point buy, but my players insist on rolling, so we go with the core rules option; though somehow the reroll 1s meme got stuck in their heads even though I never actually said that. It was probably a house rule in one of our games in years past that somehow stuck around.

 

[d4]

point-buy as per DMG. 18 costs 16 points.

i've always done 32 points in the past, but i think the next time i run a campaign it'll be in the 36-40 range.

 

[DragonLancer]

My group and I don't like point buy systems, so we always use 4d6-lowest, and put them where you want.

 

[LeapingShark]

32 Pt Buy

 

[Ferret]

Uh, like in the DMG... sorry, didn't play that one.

-- N

AFAIK Baldurs Gate (II) uses either 3d6 or 4d6 take lowest, and you can take the points down to the racial limts and you can rearande them as you like.

 

[Liquidsabre]

We use Std 4d6-lowest but roll seven times and drop the lowest score as well, then assign freely.

That way a particularly nasty low roll is eliminated for an average-above average set or someone who was having a particularly bad string of luck doesn't make off too badly. On top of this total score mods of less than +5 are auto re-rolls and with any roll of +5 or above a player may opt to re-roll but must take whatever they roll regardless of how bad it may be. It's a bit more sophisticated but we almost never see really bad rolls as a result and the majority are above average for a group of would-be-heroes.

We tried point-buy (which I really like in-theory) but after 3 guys built the same exact stat line, I threw it out and over time we put together what we roll now.