Point Buy Systems [Archive] - Wizards Community

Point Buy Systems [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
DanteHayes
04-13-07, 12:04 PM We are switching to a point buy system for our next campaign, but have never used one before. We are planning on playing a high powered campaign so, the 32-point buy seems to be the one we'll use. But, for the sake of thoroughness, i did want to see what other options existed.

It's not uncommon to read about a 35 point buy on the CO boards, but I can't find a source or official WotC book that has a 35 point buy. Considering the nature of the CO board I can't imagine that a 35 point buy is some agreed upon house rule, so I suspect it comes from somewhere, but I can't find a source for it. I've looked in DMGs I and II and PHBs I and II. Am I missing something?

D_H
olshanski_home
04-13-07, 12:08 PM I play 25 point buy.
starfire311
04-13-07, 12:12 PM We are switching to a point buy system for our next campaign, but have never used one before. We are planning on playing a high powered campaign so, the 32-point buy seems to be the one we'll use. But, for the sake of thoroughness, i did want to see what other options existed.

It's not uncommon to read about a 35 point buy on the CO boards, but I can't find a source or official WotC book that has a 35 point buy. Considering the nature of the CO board I can't imagine that a 35 point buy is some agreed upon house rule, so I suspect it comes from somewhere, but I can't find a source for it. I've looked in DMGs I and II and PHBs I and II. Am I missing something?

D_H

you can set the PB value at whatever you like, the values listed the DMG are just suggestions.

Most common values I see are 25, 28 and 32... I dont see this 35 PB used very often even on the CO boards.
Marcus Majarra
04-13-07, 01:37 PM Standard point-buy is 25 points, which produces the elite array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8). It's mostly favorable for classes requiring focus on mostly one ability score, and it lets racial modifiers illustrate how exceptional other races can be in their strong abilities.

28-point-buy is a preferred choice for many players, since it allows for a far better balanced focus for classes with multiple attribute dependency (such as monks and paladins) and can easily produce an array of abilities without the unusual, nearly-useless, odd ability. Typical arrays include 16, 14, 14, 12, 10, 8; and 15, 14, 14, 14, 10, 8.

32-point-buy is where optimizers shine and where racial modifiers lose a lot of their oomph. 32-point-buy will make good characters with dependency on multiple attribute and excellent characters with single-attribute dependency.
Man in the Funny Hat
04-14-07, 01:07 AM But, for the sake of thoroughness, i did want to see what other options existed.
http://home.earthlink.net/~duanevp/dnd/stat_generation.htm
meabolex
04-14-07, 02:59 AM Keep in mind that the farther away you move from the elite array, the more difficult the game becomes to balance in many respects. Most of the numbers players and DMs care about (character wealth distribution, CRs, the effectiveness of spells and feats, even base attack bonus) are balanced around the PCs having elite arrays. This has some pretty deep consequences that aren't immediately obvious.

For instance, let's say that playing with 35 point buy will make you more survivable and powerful. Since the encounters are easier due to having advantages over elite array PCs and the monsters designed for them, experience and character wealth generation should go down too. To grant equivalent experience and wealth as you'd get in the core tables, you need to fight more powerful (higher CR) mobs. But, those mobs have abilities that are designed around higher level characters with more wealth. So while you may seem more survivable with 35 point buy, the monsters also *should* become more powerful and combat thus becomes riskier. But ultimately what usually happens is that the DM gives too much experience and wealth for easier encounters and the game becomes too easy.

If you want to avoid the constant juggling between a game that's either too risky or too boring, you'll be better off the closer you get to the elite array.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DanteHayes 04-13-07, 12:04 PM	We are switching to a point buy system for our next campaign, but have never used one before. We are planning on playing a high powered campaign so, the 32-point buy seems to be the one we'll use. But, for the sake of thoroughness, i did want to see what other options existed. It's not uncommon to read about a 35 point buy on the CO boards, but I can't find a source or official WotC book that has a 35 point buy. Considering the nature of the CO board I can't imagine that a 35 point buy is some agreed upon house rule, so I suspect it comes from somewhere, but I can't find a source for it. I've looked in DMGs I and II and PHBs I and II. Am I missing something? D_H
olshanski_home 04-13-07, 12:08 PM	I play 25 point buy.
starfire311 04-13-07, 12:12 PM	We are switching to a point buy system for our next campaign, but have never used one before. We are planning on playing a high powered campaign so, the 32-point buy seems to be the one we'll use. But, for the sake of thoroughness, i did want to see what other options existed. It's not uncommon to read about a 35 point buy on the CO boards, but I can't find a source or official WotC book that has a 35 point buy. Considering the nature of the CO board I can't imagine that a 35 point buy is some agreed upon house rule, so I suspect it comes from somewhere, but I can't find a source for it. I've looked in DMGs I and II and PHBs I and II. Am I missing something? D_H you can set the PB value at whatever you like, the values listed the DMG are just suggestions. Most common values I see are 25, 28 and 32... I dont see this 35 PB used very often even on the CO boards.
Marcus Majarra 04-13-07, 01:37 PM	Standard point-buy is 25 points, which produces the elite array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8). It's mostly favorable for classes requiring focus on mostly one ability score, and it lets racial modifiers illustrate how exceptional other races can be in their strong abilities. 28-point-buy is a preferred choice for many players, since it allows for a far better balanced focus for classes with multiple attribute dependency (such as monks and paladins) and can easily produce an array of abilities without the unusual, nearly-useless, odd ability. Typical arrays include 16, 14, 14, 12, 10, 8; and 15, 14, 14, 14, 10, 8. 32-point-buy is where optimizers shine and where racial modifiers lose a lot of their oomph. 32-point-buy will make good characters with dependency on multiple attribute and excellent characters with single-attribute dependency.
Man in the Funny Hat 04-14-07, 01:07 AM	But, for the sake of thoroughness, i did want to see what other options existed. http://home.earthlink.net/~duanevp/dnd/stat_generation.htm
meabolex 04-14-07, 02:59 AM	Keep in mind that the farther away you move from the elite array, the more difficult the game becomes to balance in many respects. Most of the numbers players and DMs care about (character wealth distribution, CRs, the effectiveness of spells and feats, even base attack bonus) are balanced around the PCs having elite arrays. This has some pretty deep consequences that aren't immediately obvious. For instance, let's say that playing with 35 point buy will make you more survivable and powerful. Since the encounters are easier due to having advantages over elite array PCs and the monsters designed for them, experience and character wealth generation should go down too. To grant equivalent experience and wealth as you'd get in the core tables, you need to fight more powerful (higher CR) mobs. But, those mobs have abilities that are designed around higher level characters with more wealth. So while you may seem more survivable with 35 point buy, the monsters also should become more powerful and combat thus becomes riskier. But ultimately what usually happens is that the DM gives too much experience and wealth for easier encounters and the game becomes too easy. If you want to avoid the constant juggling between a game that's either too risky or too boring, you'll be better off the closer you get to the elite array.