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<blockquote data-quote="Lanefan" data-source="post: 7138718" data-attributes="member: 29398">So if the averages are more or less the same, the main difference between point-buy/standard array and rolling becomes one of variability, in three ways:&nbsp;- variability within a single set of stats for one character.&nbsp; There's a big difference between a range of 8-15 and a range of 3-18 - someone else can do the math on how often a 4d6k3 roll will give a 3-7 or 16-18 result but I suspect many of us would find a 6 and 17 more fun to have as a couple of stats than 8 and 15.&nbsp; I also suspect that of the three variability types this is the least contentious.&nbsp;- variability of the average stat for a single character.&nbsp; Do the 6 stats average out at 10, or 12, or 14?&nbsp; The standard array gives an average just over 12.&nbsp; Point-buy has a rather narrow possible range for averages; rolling is much wider. (another way of viewing this variable is by just looking at the total of the six stat rolls)&nbsp; Some people don't like playing characters whose total/average is significantly below the norm; and some even dislike playing with a total/average significantly above the norm.&nbsp; In the long run, however, it should all even out - you'll get your share of duds and your share of demigods - so one can always take the bad with the good and just go with it.&nbsp;- variability of the total/average stats between different characters in the same party.&nbsp; This one seems to be the most contentious as some see it as leading to or directly causing imbalance within the party.&nbsp; This is probably of greater concern to those who like to fine-tune the party numbers to the nth degree to squeeze out every possible advantage, to those who play in a mechanics-first style, or to those who play in no-death and-or no-retirement games where one is stuck with one's initial character throughout; and for these point-buy or similar might be the better - though dull - option.Lanefan</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Lanefan, post: 7138718, member: 29398"] So if the averages are more or less the same, the main difference between point-buy/standard array and rolling becomes one of variability, in three ways: - variability within a single set of stats for one character. There's a big difference between a range of 8-15 and a range of 3-18 - someone else can do the math on how often a 4d6k3 roll will give a 3-7 or 16-18 result but I suspect many of us would find a 6 and 17 more fun to have as a couple of stats than 8 and 15. I also suspect that of the three variability types this is the least contentious. - variability of the average stat for a single character. Do the 6 stats average out at 10, or 12, or 14? The standard array gives an average just over 12. Point-buy has a rather narrow possible range for averages; rolling is much wider. (another way of viewing this variable is by just looking at the total of the six stat rolls) Some people don't like playing characters whose total/average is significantly below the norm; and some even dislike playing with a total/average significantly above the norm. In the long run, however, it should all even out - you'll get your share of duds and your share of demigods - so one can always take the bad with the good and just go with it. - variability of the total/average stats between different characters in the same party. This one seems to be the most contentious as some see it as leading to or directly causing imbalance within the party. This is probably of greater concern to those who like to fine-tune the party numbers to the nth degree to squeeze out every possible advantage, to those who play in a mechanics-first style, or to those who play in no-death and-or no-retirement games where one is stuck with one's initial character throughout; and for these point-buy or similar might be the better - though dull - option. Lanefan [/QUOTE]

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