Which method do you use to determine ability scores?

[Tiberius]

Currently I'm using the standard array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8) arranged to taste. As a recognition that paladins and monks are very stat-heavy, players who chose one of those classes may lock themselves in to 10 consecutive levels of the class in exchange for an additional 3 points, to be spread using the DMG's point buy rules.

-Tiberius

 

[Arnwyn]

Other - our group uses a screwy very random method:

3d6 six times, arrange to taste. Then roll 2d4 bonus points, added to whatever score you want (18 max). Then apply racial modifiers.

Our group really likes random rolls...

 

[Drawmack]

I liked the card idea so much I made me up a set, here they are.

Word file will print on 3x5 index cards - if your printer is capable.

 

[HellHound]

My latest campaign is High-Powered Point Buy (using the Living Arcanis rules).

Before that it was USUALLY 4d6 drop 1, place as desired.

Although I have run more than one campaign using 3d6, place as rolled.

 

[Stavros]

In the campaign we started this last weekend, I have it set so the players use 30 points, point buy system (voted for the highpower point buy). This lets you either be focused, or have your bonuses a little more spread out, player's choice.

 

[Storminator]

I use 4d6 drop low. If you don't like that character, use point buy, with points 24 +1d8.

I like variations in the PCs, and I don't like either worthless PCs or rerolls.

I may try the cards if my players are interested.

PS

 

[Mercule]

Personally, I hate randomness in character creation. I would refuse to play in a game that _required_ me to dice for stats (with a couple of exceptions). KD's cards do sound interesting, though.

I use a 28 point buy. We tried the 32 points, but the characters still seemed like supermen.

I do recognize, though, that some people like to roll dice. I don't know (or much care) if it's because they like the way dice feel, don't like the idea of absolute control over their origin, or think they are lucky enough to beat everyone else. Because of that, I allow the standard (4d6, drop lowest) method, but it is _one_ batch of rolls in front of me. No rerolls, regardless of how badly you blow the rolls -- that's the risk that balances the chance of having a significantly better character than everyone else.

I don't like dice because I like to build a character I have a vision for. Random rolls kinda kill that.

I don't like the standard array because it is too static and doesn't allow enough variation.

 

[hammymchamham]

I'm running a Realms game (already a high powred type setting), so I use 5d6 (drop lowest 2). If it where homebrew, I'd use 4d6(drop lowest) with one re roll

 

[maddman75]

I have my own method. Select abilities, modifiers add up to eight. Three even and three odd (anit-munchkin insurance). Works rather well, and is somewhere around a 30 point buy. I've done +6 before, which is closer to 25-28.

I'd like to come up with a bidding method of some kind I think -- I'll have to mull it over a bit.

 

[Yeoman]

I started with 25 point buy, moved to 28 and eventually moved up to 32. So far it's made the group a little more powerful, but that's nothing our rotating dm's can't handle.