I was pondering the various attribute generation methods & point-buy amounts, and started wondering how PC's ought to compare to the overall average of characters in a campaign world. Obviously, it depends on the world; but, presuming that the average person has scores of 10-11 (or rolls 3d6 for every attribute), where in the resulting distribution do you think player characters should fit?
Where should PC's stand, in terms of attribute scores?
- Thread starter Christian
- Start date
I tend to assume that the average 10.5 - 3d6 is for the typical healthy 18 year old human male - note that stats vary by age, so 10.5 is not 'average' across the entire population - eg it's actually an above-average Strength but a fairly low Wisdom. I like to see 3e PCs with net 'plusses' of at least +6, preferably +8 or so, although the exact total will vary depending on the kind of PBEM - 1st levellers carousing and intriguing in a city-based PBEM can have lower stats than heroic dungeon-bashers in my tabletop game.
Valmur_Dwur
First Post
I answered in the top 10% noticablely superior due to the fact that usually one stat is in that range. I like the starting stats given in the DMG, although a little high it does make you pick your spots 
IMHO adventurers need those one or two stats that are in the 13-15 range to allow for the idea of adventuring. While a town's blacksmith may have 15 str, his other stats are in the 8-11 range and so he doesn't "see" himself as destroyer of the world Adventurers need that ego advantage when facing down the denizens of the world who exist as wives tales and nightmares for the general populance.
IMHO adventurers need those one or two stats that are in the 13-15 range to allow for the idea of adventuring. While a town's blacksmith may have 15 str, his other stats are in the 8-11 range and so he doesn't "see" himself as destroyer of the world Adventurers need that ego advantage when facing down the denizens of the world who exist as wives tales and nightmares for the general populance.
Tonguez
A suffusion of yellow
Over whole population - top 5%
In most Medieval societies the average person was very much below average (compared to modern people) in terms of Health and IQ (starvation tends to do that to you).
Assuming standard of living is slightly higher in a fantasy world (comparable to modern) I'd still say that the average peasant is not as healthy (or have equal access to healing magics) as a nobleman
So Compared to the well-educated, healthy nobles in the population - to 25%
In most Medieval societies the average person was very much below average (compared to modern people) in terms of Health and IQ (starvation tends to do that to you).
Assuming standard of living is slightly higher in a fantasy world (comparable to modern) I'd still say that the average peasant is not as healthy (or have equal access to healing magics) as a nobleman
So Compared to the well-educated, healthy nobles in the population - to 25%
S'mon said:
I'm particularly interested in people's extra-mechanical intuitions of where PC's fit in. There are lots of different methods for creating PC attribute numbers, and lots of ideas about the typical bonus totals/correct point buy numbers/etc. What I'd like is for some of the players of this game of ours to step back from that & make a generalized comparison of the adventuring population to the general population at a higher level of abstraction ...
(Yes, there really is a point to this ... but I want to collect some data first ...)
KnowTheToe
First Post
Top 5% for the most part. After all, most of the villians I create will be in the top 2%.
BiggusGeekus
That's Latin for "cool"
25 points if you have more than 4 players
28 points for four or less players.
If their attributes are too high, they'll split the party up more because they'll be more self-sufficient. That's more work for you.
If you want more power, I'd suggest simply starting them at a higher level. That will have the added bonus of opening the door to races that require an ECL.
28 points for four or less players.
If their attributes are too high, they'll split the party up more because they'll be more self-sufficient. That's more work for you.
If you want more power, I'd suggest simply starting them at a higher level. That will have the added bonus of opening the door to races that require an ECL.
