Character creation methods? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Character creation methods? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
EmperorKO
11-25-04, 12:45 PM Just curious: What attribute creation system do you prefer to use? I ask because just about every group I've ever played with has adhered to the concept that heroes are supposed to be "elite" characters and should therefore be much more powerful than your average Joe on the street. I've never used anything but the 4d6 system, and in my current group, we go one step further and re-roll any result of 1 on any die.

I personally prefer this system to the alternatives. I've experimented with playing "flawed" characters - one DM let us use the 4d6 method, but we absolutely had to keep every roll and assign them to the attributes in the order they came up. I hated this. I had no fun playing characters that had exceptional weaknesses, even back in 2nd ed. when it was perfectly fine to just drop your weakest roll into Charisma and you wouldn't feel much hurt.

So, in general, do you prefer your characters to be superhero types, or do you prefer roleplaying more "human" characters?

Also, what system do the modules assume you're using? Recently, we played through the Eberron adventures, and we ended up breaking the modules left and right because the enemies were so abysmally weak. Naturally, they're not assuming that we're using our bastardized 4d6, drop ones system, but how far off from the norm is this in terms of game mechanics?
Melpomene
11-25-04, 12:54 PM I cannot overemphasize my preference for the elite array system. I modify my elite array slightly, as well, so it works even more smoothly.

But, It's my Lawful Obssesive nature taking over again, because I like to make things very tidy in that regard. Plus, it keeps my players (who have notoriously bad luck with rolls) from looking silly.
EvilDuck
11-25-04, 01:05 PM When I'm DMing, I use the WheelOStats! for my stat generation. It's essentially 20 sets of stats on a Word document, numbered one to 20. I have each player roll a d20 twice and choose one of the two stat sets the number of their d20 roll corresponds to.
EmperorKO
11-25-04, 01:09 PM When I'm DMing, I use the WheelOStats! for my stat generation. It's essentially 20 sets of stats on a Word document, numbered one to 20. I have each player roll a d20 twice and choose one of the two stat sets the number of their d20 roll corresponds to.

That's pretty weird, but interesting. What type of stats are they? Are they "elite," "flawed," or something balanced? Or is there a range of all three?
The Shaman
11-25-04, 01:26 PM So, in general, do you prefer your characters to be superhero types, or do you prefer roleplaying more "human" characters?
Definitely the latter - the player characters (and select NPCs) should be better than the norm, but not freaks of nature, so I use the 28-point buy in the games I run.
Ph33r_the_Wheelchair
11-25-04, 01:31 PM My opinion is that point-buy is the way to go. It lets players fully customize their characters while making sure that everyone is roughly balanced. I do, however, feel that the players should be extra-special people, and have stats higher than your typical level-1 commoner. The players should be heroes, and their stats should reflect this. Generally, anything from 28 to 32 point-buy works well.
Someone
11-25-04, 01:47 PM I also use point-buy, as it keeps players from whining about how someone else rolled better than them. Which is also why I use set hp/ level.

But yes, 28 points should be enough to make a competent character, since 24 can give you strait 12s in all of your stats! Though with the next campaign I start, I'll probably introduce the rule "must have at least 2 odd scores".
EmperorKO
11-25-04, 02:07 PM I also use point-buy, as it keeps players from whining about how someone else rolled better than them. Which is also why I use set hp/ level.

Do you have a lot of players of the same class? I don't quite see the point in complaining about a fellow player if we're different classes. In my current game, I (the psion) have the uber high INT, the fighter has the uber high STR, the ranger has the uber high DEX and the cleric has the uber high WIS. Having my one huge score is fine for me, I don't need or want a high STR, CON or WIS for example. We each fill our own role and work as a team, so we don't need cross-over ability scores.
Felonious Monk
11-25-04, 03:05 PM For a one-off I'm doing, I had my players roll until they got a stat set that was in excess of 32 point buy. But this is for my Secret Santa campaign, where everyone is making a character for someone else, so it's a bit of a different motivation.
BloodGod
11-25-04, 04:32 PM 82 points.
Stuntman
11-25-04, 10:43 PM I prefer the standard 4d6 drop lowest method. If the player is not satisfied with it, he may choose the standard (25-point) point buy. I like rolling because it is random. I have the point buy option in case the roll is not to the player's liking.

Players are supposed to be above average. Once a player gains a few levels in any class, they're going to be much better than a level 1 commoner even if the commoner has 18 on all stats.
Androlphas
11-25-04, 10:52 PM I let each individual player choose between the standard 4d6 or 28 point buy. It seems to work pretty well. I also do the same for hp per level (other than level 1, which is max). They can choose half their hit die +1 (a la RPGA) or leave it up to fate and roll (no re-rolls).
Really high scores are not as vital in 3.0/3.5 as they were in 2nd edition. A stat of "12" in 3.0/3.5 already gives you a bonus, where in 2nd edition, you needed a much higher stat to get bonuses.
Pallin Rahl
11-26-04, 03:27 PM The standard method for my group is:

4d6, re-roll 1s, drop the lowest, arrange as desired (i.e. after you get your 6 stat numbers, you can decide which number goes with which stat - it's not bound to the order in which you roll the numbers).

Yes, this does tend to yield characters of the more heroic statted nature. ...but our ROLEplay-heavy group does not handle things in an abusive manner. :)
DrWorm
11-26-04, 05:25 PM 4d4+4 re-roll 1s

I know you are new here, so I will be kind, but the search function should result in hundreds of threads on this subject.
Azual
11-26-04, 05:28 PM point buy is the magic that manages to **** ALL of my players off BEFORE THE GAME STARTS
:evillaugh
naturally, i use it often
also, for a DM who dungeon masters a group that insists on spending THE FIRST HOUR of EACH SESSION making ANOTHER character, i make alot fo point buys
:)
Azual
11-26-04, 05:30 PM The standard method for my group is:

4d6, re-roll 1s, drop the lowest, arrange as desired (i.e. after you get your 6 stat numbers, you can decide which number goes with which stat - it's not bound to the order in which you roll the numbers).

Yes, this does tend to yield characters of the more heroic statted nature. ...but our ROLEplay-heavy group does not handle things in an abusive manner. :)

DUDE can we trade groups!
My players havent roleplayed... no not then... well... EVER
"Aww cmon! its jsut a goblin! cant we kill it!"
at this point ii become SO tempted to make that goblin A 20TH LEVEL WIZARD
:evillaugh (Man i love this smiley)
EmperorKO
11-26-04, 05:44 PM 4d4+4 re-roll 1s

I know you are new here, so I will be kind, but the search function should result in hundreds of threads on this subject.

1. I'm not new here. I've been reading and searching these forums for a good year, at least.

2. I did use the search function and nothing came up. I search before I post anything new. If there are threads like this, then they're more than 5 or 6 pages deep into the search results and I'm not spending all day looking through search results.
Wildonion
11-26-04, 05:58 PM I give my PC's the following that they can arrange however they want, then they apply modifiers and all that:

18
16
14
14
12
10

This gives them two uber stats, two good stats, and two average stats and they are fine with it.
DrWorm
11-26-04, 05:58 PM I apologize that I mistook you for new...my bad.

Under Search- Character Creation Methods
--1-- (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=333610&highlight=Character+Creation+Methods) Page 1
--2-- (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=311324&highlight=Character+Creation+Methods) Page 2

And that is just in the past couple months. I am not trying to be an jerk, just think you will get more good info by checking in to old threads than hoping that people will want to post the same thing they posted a few weeks ago.
EmperorKO
11-26-04, 06:23 PM I am not trying to be an jerk, just think you will get more good info by checking in to old threads than hoping that people will want to post the same thing they posted a few weeks ago.

Point taken. Those threads were useful, thank you. I guess I was just searching for the wrong thing.
EvilDuck
11-28-04, 03:18 PM That's pretty weird, but interesting. What type of stats are they? Are they "elite," "flawed," or something balanced? Or is there a range of all three?

Uh, I guess the range part? Some are uber, some are meek, but there's a nice range, and they're all playable(which for me means there's at least one 15). But here, judge for yourself:

1. 18 15 14 18 8 15

2. 14 14 15 14 16 12

3. 12 12 16 10 17 15

4. 16 15 10 11 17 13

5. 16 13 13 17 8 18

6. 9 15 13 12 18 18

7. 18 15 10 16 12 12

8. 9 13 15 12 14 16

9. 16 15 10 16 15 9

10. 12 16 14 3 13 14

11. 16 12 11 16 14 8

12. 11 13 15 12 9 14

13. 15 11 11 18 12 12

14. 11 11 7 10 15 14

15. 13 12 15 10 13 16

16. 11 16 14 16 14 16

17. 14 17 15 15 15 13

18. 15 14 16 13 13 10

19. 18 15 15 17 16 9

20. 16 14 14 18 16 15
unconformist
11-29-04, 09:13 PM alright... this is a fun topic... i've done characters created in all different types, and had fun with most... although, i'm one of those people who like's to have one or two sub-adventurer stats...

anyway... my method for my uber-high-powered campaign that hasn't started yet after a year or two of planning... is... roll 5d4... you have one stat at ten, and each of the other d4s is the modifiers for the other stats... quick, simple, and good for high powered...

the game i'm currently playing in on friday nights is using the standard method of 4d6 drop the lowest, arrange as desired...

i think my favorite creation method so far, however, is the game that i'm playing in on saturday night... yes, i'm giving my DM props after only recently complaining about him... but anyway... the method is point buy... but it's 28+HD and it replaces the stat points that you get as you level up... it might not be 28... i'm not sure... tell them??? anyway... so far, it's working really cool...
Melpomene
11-29-04, 09:21 PM Those wheel o' stats seem a little high.

I use:
17, 15, 13, 11, 11, 9.
EvilDuck
11-29-04, 09:50 PM Those wheel o' stats seem a little high.

Well, they were randomly rolled. But you should have seen the first WheelOStats! Uber stats through the roofsies!
Santrilla
12-27-04, 06:39 AM Our group use 4d6, reroll 1s, drop lowest, arrange as desired. Generally speaking this method gives what I'd consider average rolls- higher than the average commoner, of course, but pretty average for adventurers.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
EmperorKO 11-25-04, 12:45 PM	Just curious: What attribute creation system do you prefer to use? I ask because just about every group I've ever played with has adhered to the concept that heroes are supposed to be "elite" characters and should therefore be much more powerful than your average Joe on the street. I've never used anything but the 4d6 system, and in my current group, we go one step further and re-roll any result of 1 on any die. I personally prefer this system to the alternatives. I've experimented with playing "flawed" characters - one DM let us use the 4d6 method, but we absolutely had to keep every roll and assign them to the attributes in the order they came up. I hated this. I had no fun playing characters that had exceptional weaknesses, even back in 2nd ed. when it was perfectly fine to just drop your weakest roll into Charisma and you wouldn't feel much hurt. So, in general, do you prefer your characters to be superhero types, or do you prefer roleplaying more "human" characters? Also, what system do the modules assume you're using? Recently, we played through the Eberron adventures, and we ended up breaking the modules left and right because the enemies were so abysmally weak. Naturally, they're not assuming that we're using our bastardized 4d6, drop ones system, but how far off from the norm is this in terms of game mechanics?
Melpomene 11-25-04, 12:54 PM	I cannot overemphasize my preference for the elite array system. I modify my elite array slightly, as well, so it works even more smoothly. But, It's my Lawful Obssesive nature taking over again, because I like to make things very tidy in that regard. Plus, it keeps my players (who have notoriously bad luck with rolls) from looking silly.
EvilDuck 11-25-04, 01:05 PM	When I'm DMing, I use the WheelOStats! for my stat generation. It's essentially 20 sets of stats on a Word document, numbered one to 20. I have each player roll a d20 twice and choose one of the two stat sets the number of their d20 roll corresponds to.
EmperorKO 11-25-04, 01:09 PM	When I'm DMing, I use the WheelOStats! for my stat generation. It's essentially 20 sets of stats on a Word document, numbered one to 20. I have each player roll a d20 twice and choose one of the two stat sets the number of their d20 roll corresponds to. That's pretty weird, but interesting. What type of stats are they? Are they "elite," "flawed," or something balanced? Or is there a range of all three?
The Shaman 11-25-04, 01:26 PM	So, in general, do you prefer your characters to be superhero types, or do you prefer roleplaying more "human" characters? Definitely the latter - the player characters (and select NPCs) should be better than the norm, but not freaks of nature, so I use the 28-point buy in the games I run.
Ph33r_the_Wheelchair 11-25-04, 01:31 PM	My opinion is that point-buy is the way to go. It lets players fully customize their characters while making sure that everyone is roughly balanced. I do, however, feel that the players should be extra-special people, and have stats higher than your typical level-1 commoner. The players should be heroes, and their stats should reflect this. Generally, anything from 28 to 32 point-buy works well.
Someone 11-25-04, 01:47 PM	I also use point-buy, as it keeps players from whining about how someone else rolled better than them. Which is also why I use set hp/ level. But yes, 28 points should be enough to make a competent character, since 24 can give you strait 12s in all of your stats! Though with the next campaign I start, I'll probably introduce the rule "must have at least 2 odd scores".
EmperorKO 11-25-04, 02:07 PM	I also use point-buy, as it keeps players from whining about how someone else rolled better than them. Which is also why I use set hp/ level. Do you have a lot of players of the same class? I don't quite see the point in complaining about a fellow player if we're different classes. In my current game, I (the psion) have the uber high INT, the fighter has the uber high STR, the ranger has the uber high DEX and the cleric has the uber high WIS. Having my one huge score is fine for me, I don't need or want a high STR, CON or WIS for example. We each fill our own role and work as a team, so we don't need cross-over ability scores.
Felonious Monk 11-25-04, 03:05 PM	For a one-off I'm doing, I had my players roll until they got a stat set that was in excess of 32 point buy. But this is for my Secret Santa campaign, where everyone is making a character for someone else, so it's a bit of a different motivation.
BloodGod 11-25-04, 04:32 PM	82 points.
Stuntman 11-25-04, 10:43 PM	I prefer the standard 4d6 drop lowest method. If the player is not satisfied with it, he may choose the standard (25-point) point buy. I like rolling because it is random. I have the point buy option in case the roll is not to the player's liking. Players are supposed to be above average. Once a player gains a few levels in any class, they're going to be much better than a level 1 commoner even if the commoner has 18 on all stats.
Androlphas 11-25-04, 10:52 PM	I let each individual player choose between the standard 4d6 or 28 point buy. It seems to work pretty well. I also do the same for hp per level (other than level 1, which is max). They can choose half their hit die +1 (a la RPGA) or leave it up to fate and roll (no re-rolls). Really high scores are not as vital in 3.0/3.5 as they were in 2nd edition. A stat of "12" in 3.0/3.5 already gives you a bonus, where in 2nd edition, you needed a much higher stat to get bonuses.
Pallin Rahl 11-26-04, 03:27 PM	The standard method for my group is: 4d6, re-roll 1s, drop the lowest, arrange as desired (i.e. after you get your 6 stat numbers, you can decide which number goes with which stat - it's not bound to the order in which you roll the numbers). Yes, this does tend to yield characters of the more heroic statted nature. ...but our ROLEplay-heavy group does not handle things in an abusive manner. :)
DrWorm 11-26-04, 05:25 PM	4d4+4 re-roll 1s I know you are new here, so I will be kind, but the search function should result in hundreds of threads on this subject.
Azual 11-26-04, 05:28 PM	point buy is the magic that manages to **** ALL of my players off BEFORE THE GAME STARTS :evillaugh naturally, i use it often also, for a DM who dungeon masters a group that insists on spending THE FIRST HOUR of EACH SESSION making ANOTHER character, i make alot fo point buys :)
Azual 11-26-04, 05:30 PM	The standard method for my group is: 4d6, re-roll 1s, drop the lowest, arrange as desired (i.e. after you get your 6 stat numbers, you can decide which number goes with which stat - it's not bound to the order in which you roll the numbers). Yes, this does tend to yield characters of the more heroic statted nature. ...but our ROLEplay-heavy group does not handle things in an abusive manner. :) DUDE can we trade groups! My players havent roleplayed... no not then... well... EVER "Aww cmon! its jsut a goblin! cant we kill it!" at this point ii become SO tempted to make that goblin A 20TH LEVEL WIZARD :evillaugh (Man i love this smiley)
EmperorKO 11-26-04, 05:44 PM	4d4+4 re-roll 1s I know you are new here, so I will be kind, but the search function should result in hundreds of threads on this subject. 1. I'm not new here. I've been reading and searching these forums for a good year, at least. 2. I did use the search function and nothing came up. I search before I post anything new. If there are threads like this, then they're more than 5 or 6 pages deep into the search results and I'm not spending all day looking through search results.
Wildonion 11-26-04, 05:58 PM	I give my PC's the following that they can arrange however they want, then they apply modifiers and all that: 18 16 14 14 12 10 This gives them two uber stats, two good stats, and two average stats and they are fine with it.
DrWorm 11-26-04, 05:58 PM	I apologize that I mistook you for new...my bad. Under Search- Character Creation Methods --1-- (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=333610&highlight=Character+Creation+Methods) Page 1 --2-- (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=311324&highlight=Character+Creation+Methods) Page 2 And that is just in the past couple months. I am not trying to be an jerk, just think you will get more good info by checking in to old threads than hoping that people will want to post the same thing they posted a few weeks ago.
EmperorKO 11-26-04, 06:23 PM	I am not trying to be an jerk, just think you will get more good info by checking in to old threads than hoping that people will want to post the same thing they posted a few weeks ago. Point taken. Those threads were useful, thank you. I guess I was just searching for the wrong thing.
EvilDuck 11-28-04, 03:18 PM	That's pretty weird, but interesting. What type of stats are they? Are they "elite," "flawed," or something balanced? Or is there a range of all three? Uh, I guess the range part? Some are uber, some are meek, but there's a nice range, and they're all playable(which for me means there's at least one 15). But here, judge for yourself: 1. 18 15 14 18 8 15 2. 14 14 15 14 16 12 3. 12 12 16 10 17 15 4. 16 15 10 11 17 13 5. 16 13 13 17 8 18 6. 9 15 13 12 18 18 7. 18 15 10 16 12 12 8. 9 13 15 12 14 16 9. 16 15 10 16 15 9 10. 12 16 14 3 13 14 11. 16 12 11 16 14 8 12. 11 13 15 12 9 14 13. 15 11 11 18 12 12 14. 11 11 7 10 15 14 15. 13 12 15 10 13 16 16. 11 16 14 16 14 16 17. 14 17 15 15 15 13 18. 15 14 16 13 13 10 19. 18 15 15 17 16 9 20. 16 14 14 18 16 15
unconformist 11-29-04, 09:13 PM	alright... this is a fun topic... i've done characters created in all different types, and had fun with most... although, i'm one of those people who like's to have one or two sub-adventurer stats... anyway... my method for my uber-high-powered campaign that hasn't started yet after a year or two of planning... is... roll 5d4... you have one stat at ten, and each of the other d4s is the modifiers for the other stats... quick, simple, and good for high powered... the game i'm currently playing in on friday nights is using the standard method of 4d6 drop the lowest, arrange as desired... i think my favorite creation method so far, however, is the game that i'm playing in on saturday night... yes, i'm giving my DM props after only recently complaining about him... but anyway... the method is point buy... but it's 28+HD and it replaces the stat points that you get as you level up... it might not be 28... i'm not sure... tell them??? anyway... so far, it's working really cool...
Melpomene 11-29-04, 09:21 PM	Those wheel o' stats seem a little high. I use: 17, 15, 13, 11, 11, 9.
EvilDuck 11-29-04, 09:50 PM	Those wheel o' stats seem a little high. Well, they were randomly rolled. But you should have seen the first WheelOStats! Uber stats through the roofsies!
Santrilla 12-27-04, 06:39 AM	Our group use 4d6, reroll 1s, drop lowest, arrange as desired. Generally speaking this method gives what I'd consider average rolls- higher than the average commoner, of course, but pretty average for adventurers.