Ability Score House Rule [Archive] - Wizards Community

Ability Score House Rule [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
locksley92
11-10-06, 11:31 AM In my own games, I have started using a new ability score house rule that has worked so well.

The players assign stats from what is typically the NPC list of scores (13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8) at first level and assign these scores to whatever ability they want. They then apply their modifiers, as normal. The twist comes in that they get to add a +1 to whatever ability they want (simulating what happens at 4th level normally). Every level afterward, they get to add an extra +1 to any ability score of their choosing. In effect, they have the 4th level +1 attribute bonus every single level. NPCs do not get these bonuses, except if the DM needs a great opponent.

This has worked well because it makes the game more realistic: it to shows how your attributes improve over time. Also, every player is on the same footing and no one has an advantage because of lucky rolls. Furthermore, higher level characters have amazing stats and lower level characters have just average stats.

Any advice, critique, typos?

--locksley92
Tequila_Sunrise
11-10-06, 09:13 PM Very online rpg-like. My only criticism is that NPCs arleady suck enough without giving PCs 1 point per level over them.
TheDarkLord
11-11-06, 12:46 AM So using your starting stats, I would end up with a human wizard that looks something like this before magic?

Str: 9
Dex: 12
Con: 11
Int: 13 +20 levels= 33 (+11) before magic Items?
Wis: 10
Cha: 8

Edit:

Just an Idea for you to play with my housrule still uses the DnD standard of every 4 levels you gain an ability bonus, Instead I give two. You can select any one of your physical stats and any one of your mental stats to give a bonus to. This reflects i believe more accurately than anything, the strain both your mind and body go through during the course of an adventure.
Braids
11-11-06, 12:57 AM I like it, but I'm currently using a system that increases the number of ability bonuses while lowering the amount of money.

If I use both I'd end up giving an overal +30 by 20th level.
locksley92
11-11-06, 01:11 AM I am both an Eberron-player and an online RPGer so I guess, so I guess this kind of grew from that. In my mind, NPCs are not the focus, so their suckiness should be maximized not minimized.

Yes, a wizard could do that. A 20th level wizard represents the pinacle of magical training. His intelligence would be so keen that yes, it could be 33, before magic items.
rydi123
11-12-06, 02:07 PM i would advise either creating level caps on how much a character can put into one stat, or just rule that a character cannot put points into the same stat two levels in a row.
XXIII
11-12-06, 03:09 PM I have used the point buy at 27 points - with the standard point cost...

Then your standard +1 at lvl 4 and every subsequent 4 levels - as well as bumping all attributes @ lvl's, 6, 10, and 14.

Doing a 25 point buy with a +1 to every att every level could have a decent return especially if you were playing in a chronicle with a very epic feel to it.

I probly wouldn't use that in, let's say, a game with a more gritty feel to it..but Eberron would benefit from it moreso that Greyhawk I would think...unless of course you are running a highly cinematic/epic-feel Greyhawk game...

But that's just my two copper...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
locksley92 11-10-06, 11:31 AM	In my own games, I have started using a new ability score house rule that has worked so well. The players assign stats from what is typically the NPC list of scores (13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8) at first level and assign these scores to whatever ability they want. They then apply their modifiers, as normal. The twist comes in that they get to add a +1 to whatever ability they want (simulating what happens at 4th level normally). Every level afterward, they get to add an extra +1 to any ability score of their choosing. In effect, they have the 4th level +1 attribute bonus every single level. NPCs do not get these bonuses, except if the DM needs a great opponent. This has worked well because it makes the game more realistic: it to shows how your attributes improve over time. Also, every player is on the same footing and no one has an advantage because of lucky rolls. Furthermore, higher level characters have amazing stats and lower level characters have just average stats. Any advice, critique, typos? --locksley92
Tequila_Sunrise 11-10-06, 09:13 PM	Very online rpg-like. My only criticism is that NPCs arleady suck enough without giving PCs 1 point per level over them.
TheDarkLord 11-11-06, 12:46 AM	So using your starting stats, I would end up with a human wizard that looks something like this before magic? Str: 9 Dex: 12 Con: 11 Int: 13 +20 levels= 33 (+11) before magic Items? Wis: 10 Cha: 8 Edit: Just an Idea for you to play with my housrule still uses the DnD standard of every 4 levels you gain an ability bonus, Instead I give two. You can select any one of your physical stats and any one of your mental stats to give a bonus to. This reflects i believe more accurately than anything, the strain both your mind and body go through during the course of an adventure.
Braids 11-11-06, 12:57 AM	I like it, but I'm currently using a system that increases the number of ability bonuses while lowering the amount of money. If I use both I'd end up giving an overal +30 by 20th level.
locksley92 11-11-06, 01:11 AM	I am both an Eberron-player and an online RPGer so I guess, so I guess this kind of grew from that. In my mind, NPCs are not the focus, so their suckiness should be maximized not minimized. Yes, a wizard could do that. A 20th level wizard represents the pinacle of magical training. His intelligence would be so keen that yes, it could be 33, before magic items.
rydi123 11-12-06, 02:07 PM	i would advise either creating level caps on how much a character can put into one stat, or just rule that a character cannot put points into the same stat two levels in a row.
XXIII 11-12-06, 03:09 PM	I have used the point buy at 27 points - with the standard point cost... Then your standard +1 at lvl 4 and every subsequent 4 levels - as well as bumping all attributes @ lvl's, 6, 10, and 14. Doing a 25 point buy with a +1 to every att every level could have a decent return especially if you were playing in a chronicle with a very epic feel to it. I probly wouldn't use that in, let's say, a game with a more gritty feel to it..but Eberron would benefit from it moreso that Greyhawk I would think...unless of course you are running a highly cinematic/epic-feel Greyhawk game... But that's just my two copper...