Variation on Point Buy Method [Archive] - Wizards Community

Variation on Point Buy Method [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Tafka Oddfan
10-09-04, 11:42 PM I am constructing a variation of the Point Buy method of generating ability scores, where players can take ability scores less than 8. In doing so they buy more points to spend on their other ability scores. The cost of scores above 8 remains unchanged. The cost of scores is as follows:

18 - 16
17 - 13
16 - 10
15 - 8
14 - 6
13 - 5
12 - 4
11 - 3
10 - 2
09 - 1
08 - 0
07 - (½)
06 - (1)
05 - (1½)
04 - (2)
03 - (3)

Where a player takes a score below 8, the bracketed total is added to their total points rather than subtracted.

For example, using 25 Point Buy, a player decides to have a Charisma score of 6, this gives her 1 extra point, allowing her to allocate 26 points to her other ability scores.

Or, using 25 Point Buy, a player decides to have a Charisma score of 5 and a Wisdom of 7. The low Charisma gives him an extra 1½ points and the low Wisdom gives him an extra ½ point, for a total of 2 extra points, allowing him to allocate 27 points to his other ability scores.

Is this a balanced change? Any feedback would be great!
White_Fox
10-10-04, 04:41 PM I have to say, I rather like your system. I always allowed characters to have scores below 8 when using Point Buy, but I simply had the 'cost' extend beneath the 8 in the same progression it did above. (Only negative of course, so they 'gained' points as you pointed out.) After seeing yours, I intend to adopt it immedietly. The reduced benefit for lowering an ability vs the cost to raise it is inspired, and so simple I'm ashamed it never occured to me. Although I almost never have a problem with one of my players 'zeroing out' an ability (since I make sure every ability is required in each of my campaigns) I would still feel more comfortable with a system that discouraged such action.
starfire311
10-11-04, 11:55 AM I really don't care for it, if it were used in a game I was playing I would probably never go below 8 in an attribute, the bonus points just arent worth it it. Currently the point buy that we use in my group allows us to go below 8 and get 1 point for every point below 8 and still no one that I have ever played with ahs taken a score under 8. With the system that you are proposing there is no advantage from taking a 7 or a 5 unless you are willing to take a 7 or a 5 in another stat as well.

Not saying that I wouldn't play with a DM that used, just saying that I wouldn't take advantage of it and I don't think anyone else will. Unless you have an uber min/maxer that really doesn't mind completly dumping on charisma and you don't punish him for it. Charisma 1 Dwarf or Half-orc would be messed up.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Tafka Oddfan 10-09-04, 11:42 PM	I am constructing a variation of the Point Buy method of generating ability scores, where players can take ability scores less than 8. In doing so they buy more points to spend on their other ability scores. The cost of scores above 8 remains unchanged. The cost of scores is as follows: 18 - 16 17 - 13 16 - 10 15 - 8 14 - 6 13 - 5 12 - 4 11 - 3 10 - 2 09 - 1 08 - 0 07 - (½) 06 - (1) 05 - (1½) 04 - (2) 03 - (3) Where a player takes a score below 8, the bracketed total is added to their total points rather than subtracted. For example, using 25 Point Buy, a player decides to have a Charisma score of 6, this gives her 1 extra point, allowing her to allocate 26 points to her other ability scores. Or, using 25 Point Buy, a player decides to have a Charisma score of 5 and a Wisdom of 7. The low Charisma gives him an extra 1½ points and the low Wisdom gives him an extra ½ point, for a total of 2 extra points, allowing him to allocate 27 points to his other ability scores. Is this a balanced change? Any feedback would be great!
White_Fox 10-10-04, 04:41 PM	I have to say, I rather like your system. I always allowed characters to have scores below 8 when using Point Buy, but I simply had the 'cost' extend beneath the 8 in the same progression it did above. (Only negative of course, so they 'gained' points as you pointed out.) After seeing yours, I intend to adopt it immedietly. The reduced benefit for lowering an ability vs the cost to raise it is inspired, and so simple I'm ashamed it never occured to me. Although I almost never have a problem with one of my players 'zeroing out' an ability (since I make sure every ability is required in each of my campaigns) I would still feel more comfortable with a system that discouraged such action.
starfire311 10-11-04, 11:55 AM	I really don't care for it, if it were used in a game I was playing I would probably never go below 8 in an attribute, the bonus points just arent worth it it. Currently the point buy that we use in my group allows us to go below 8 and get 1 point for every point below 8 and still no one that I have ever played with ahs taken a score under 8. With the system that you are proposing there is no advantage from taking a 7 or a 5 unless you are willing to take a 7 or a 5 in another stat as well. Not saying that I wouldn't play with a DM that used, just saying that I wouldn't take advantage of it and I don't think anyone else will. Unless you have an uber min/maxer that really doesn't mind completly dumping on charisma and you don't punish him for it. Charisma 1 Dwarf or Half-orc would be messed up.