What's the big deal with point buy?

[Nellisir]

I've BEEN the guy with the great stats. They weren't all 18s, but they were plenty high ... and the disparity REALLY DID EXIST. Everybody there who played in that game agreed that my character, and the things the GM was trying to do to "challenge" that character, directly led to the death of another character in the game. He, essentially, took a bullet meant for Das UberDwarfen and got smoked.

I can't say I've been the guy with the crappy stats, but that's because the DM had me reroll.

TWELVE times. Twelve sets of 4d6 drop the low reroll double 1s before I got a set he found acceptable. (And Charisma was still 8.)

In addition to the other reasons I've stated, I like point buy because it cuts the DM out of tweaking my character. I would've played set #1, high roll of 13 and all. By set roll #12, I just wanted him to tell me what my stats were and go away.

 

[HeapThaumaturgist]

Many people seem to be taking the standpoint that stats matter more than anything...and using that position as an argument against allowing rolled stats and requiring point buy.

If being a good roleplayer is what's most important, then why are point-buy characters less cool than rolled?

Some people like one over the other. It's a personal taste thing.

I, generally, prefer point buy. But if the game is fun and the people playing are cool we could deal cards or read tea leaves to get stats.

--fje

 

[Crothian]

Everyone's stats, you mean. Putting the emphasis on the character, where it belongs.

Players place emphasis on Character if they choose. I don't think rolling or point buy really metter in doing that.

 

[Cedric]

If being a good roleplayer is what's most important, then why are point-buy characters less cool than rolled?

I wouldn't use the term more or less cool. I would just sum it up as a general discontent with repetitive, cookie-cutter stats. Once, twice...fine, after that it gets old.

Some people like one over the other. It's a personal taste thing.

Absolutely agreed. I always offer players an option for point buy if they want that.

I, generally, prefer point buy. But if the game is fun and the people playing are cool we could deal cards or read tea leaves to get stats.

Definitely. I've used a deck of cards (ala Deadwood), dice, assigned stats, stat auctions, etc.

Cedric

--fje[/QUOTE]

 

[PallidPatience]

For every statement denying the importance of ability scores in playability, I'll largely agree... when it comes to physical ability scores.

Low mental ability scores simply defy such statements, as far as I'm concerned, however. Roleplayed correctly, Int or Wis scores of 6 can be crippling, as far as survivability is concerned. Besides that, no one wants to play the guy who doesn't know better than to run into the pit, or pull the lever, or push the button. Being stupid and too foolish to think things through makes a character completely unplayable, as far as I'm concerned.

Of course, that's just my opinion. Physical stats will be my dump for the most part, as long as I can play the character that's smart enough and wise enough to not be in the most dangerous place.

 

[ThoughtBubble]

I think another part of the reason I tend towards point buy is the simple fact of how much stats change both my perception of a character and the way they're played. For example, my wizard with poor str dex and con was always a physically weak person. He's very sensitive to how close people are to him about that, and he has a lot of his early spells devoted to making up for his deficiencies. He also tries to make sure everyone understands how important he is, since his childhood was filled wih a lot of being worthless (he was too weak and sickly to help with chores, and mostly was watched by his sister even when he wasn't ill).

Given this, it's really hard for me to make random stats work with characters that are already in my head. I'm usually discussing characters and how they'll fit into the game and into the party for weeks before hand. It's often quite hard for me to deal with taking those characters and looking at a set of rolls that doesn't fit and trying to mash the two together. What usually ends up happening is that I sigh sadly and make a different character.

Though I am still pushing for a game of 3D6 in order.

So, at least for me, stats matter in the top 2 important aspects of the character that go on the character sheet. It's right up there with class and ahead of race.

 

[Aus_Snow]

it's really hard for me to make random stats work with characters that are already in my head.

Same here. And I much prefer to start with character concepts, flesh them out, and eventually roll the stats / choose the stats / whatever. "Much" doesn't quite carry the emphasis needed though.

This is certainly one reason for the divide: there are players who prefer to come up with characters, then have stats that (hopefully) represent aspects of that character; and there are players who prefer to see what the stats themselves determine along character lines.

 

[FireLance]

This is certainly one reason for the divide: there are players who prefer to come up with characters, then have stats that (hopefully) represent aspects of that character; and there are players who prefer to see what the stats themselves determine along character lines.

"Prefer" doesn't result in a divide.

"Think it is superior, and that everyone who doesn't do it this way is playing the game wrong" results in a divide.

 

[Aus_Snow]

"Prefer" doesn't result in a divide.

"Think it is superior, and that everyone who doesn't do it this way is playing the game wrong" results in a divide.

No, actually, what I posted reads just fine, and makes perfect sense, as is. Thanks.

 

[Cedric]

Same here. And I much prefer to start with character concepts, flesh them out, and eventually roll the stats / choose the stats / whatever. "Much" doesn't quite carry the emphasis needed though.

This is certainly one reason for the divide: there are players who prefer to come up with characters, then have stats that (hopefully) represent aspects of that character; and there are players who prefer to see what the stats themselves determine along character lines.

I would agree that this is one significant reason for the divide. I would be in that second category. At any one time I may have dozens of tenuous character concepts floating around in my brain. Once I roll stats and know how I can assign my stats, I'll start weighing which of those character concepts is going to get the nod.

Some of those concepts may work well in a point buy game with little variance between stats....but many won't.

There are times when I'll sit on a concept for maybe years while I wait for the right rolls to come along to make the character flourish.

I'm playing one of those right now. A strictly melee character, part Barbarian and part Fighter, with a 14 int and 16 wisdom.

I've no intention of taking any classes, prestige classes or the like that rely on those stats, but this allows me the chance to legitimately roleplay the character as being very, very different than your average step in and slug something character.

I suppose I could have roleplayed him that way after having assigned him a 10 int and 12 wisdom...but I won't do that. Doesn't fit the character. Or, I could have tanked his physical stats, relying on rage to bring them back up and had nice mental stats so I could roleplay him that way...but again, doesn't work. I imagine the character as being physically imposing and capable. A naturally skilled warrior. *shrugs*

ymmv