Best character with this array? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Best character with this array?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
theriann
Jul 22, 2010 12:58:27 I just picked up a d20 Modern book the other day; this isn't my first experience with the d20 system, however. I've also played 3.5e and 4e D&D, and Saga Edition.

Rolling stats for my first character landed me with these:

12 - 12 - 14 - 12 - 16 - 4

All nice, save the last one. By the rules, I can't re-roll these, and I'm not really certain what direction I should go with them.

I was originally aiming for a Dedicated hero, but I also wanted to have some Cha. I can't put a 4 into a physical stat without making my character a cripple, and I can't put it into a mental stat without making my character either stupid, retarded, or uncouth.

So, what should I do with these? Should I suck it up and go with 'em? Or cop out and re-roll?
#2
poet.desmond
Jul 22, 2010 16:37:05 Personally, I would drop the 4 in strength and stick to ranged combat. How I'd play the rest out depends on what kind of character I want, and what kind of options will open up later; if magic using advanced classes will open up in the adventures, I'd want to sink the 16 into the appropriate ability for whichever advanced class I want to enter later; if I'm sticking with a normal human character; 16 Dex, 14 Con, 12 in Int, Wis, and Cha is pretty respectable. Just can't carry a lot, and shy away from close encounters. I've made it work with a 7 in Str, and otherwise similar stats.
I also wouldn't waste time dropping ability points into the 4 at all; it's just too low to make it worth the effort of getting it up when you could raise that 16 and 14.
Your character will have a somewhat narrow focus, but in the end, it could be worth it. Come up with a good in-game reason to justify the dropped stat; keep it roleplay instead of rollplay.
#3
theriann
Jul 22, 2010 17:31:56 I had considered that, but 4 Strength gives a carrying capacity of 13 pounds for a light load. That's barely enough to carry a rifle... It seems that I forgot to mention that the campaign is going to be a Spec-Ops type. A recruit with 4 Strength would get slapped with a 4F so fast...

Roll-play wise, the only thing I could see myself putting it in is Charisma. Other people can do the talking; I'll be the Barbarian.

Role-play wise, it'd be easier to place in Strength; that is, if this weren't a military-style campaign.
#4
poet.desmond
Jul 22, 2010 17:58:13 I can see where it would be a problem in Str, unless you were a tech specialist or civilian consultant; being recruited for brains instead of brawn is possible.
Cha, though, would be an appropriate dump for a grunt.
#5
TheRealOrion
Jul 22, 2010 21:30:25 I'm kinda shocked that a GM wouldn't just wave that 4. Yes, technically, you should be able to play a character with a 4, but sweet jebus, who'd want to? If your GM has decided, then she has decided, and there's little you can do about it. Basically, you have to ask yourself what you want a huge penalty on. Given that you're a spec-ops soldier, it can't feasibly be physical, so what do you want: almost no skill points (Intelligence), absolutely no resistance to verbal/mental attacks (Wisdom), or have villagers wave pitchforks at you on sight (Charisma)? Those are your options. Think about what might be the most fun to play as a handicap. Perhaps your character is totally dedicated to the cause but has no judgement of his own (low Wis)? Perhaps she has a preternatural sensitivity to human interaction but is dumb as a post: all "street smarts" but none of the other kinds of smart (low Int). Perhaps he's just the ugliest sumbich on the face of the Earth, even though he has other, really useful qualities (low Cha)?
#6
theriann
Jul 22, 2010 23:29:59 Well, I've been DM'ing the group for a while, and I'm taking a break. While I DM'ed, I tried to encourage my players to keep the rolls they got, and now I'm trying to set a good example.

At any rate, the campaign isn't set in stone; (the DM waffles...) it's now a CIA/secret agent adventure.

...If I put it in Strength, I may want to check out the wheelchair thread; wearing casual clothing and a windbreaker leaves me with 10 pounds of equipment to carry...
#7
backstabbist
Jul 23, 2010 0:47:17 IMHO
put the 4 in Strength
and play a Charisma or Dedicated character, preferably female

The others on the team wont be counting on Miss Charismatic being a doorkicker or tank,
especially if you ham it up and play the "Lil ole me" card and feminine whiles. Buff your team instead of punching the enemy

In our group, Princess is frequently the most important character when it comes to completing the mission, and she refuses to even carry a gun. I'm pretty sure Jimmy The Squeeler in our group has a low strength too, but not insane like a 4

Dont just put the 4 into Charisma, and assume you are just unelequent and ugly.
Your character will seem incapable of successfully telling a lie, or hiding the truth with that penalty to bluff.
#8
TheRealOrion
Jul 23, 2010 1:03:57 That would work, sure, unless you're talking about a commando team. The second they have to go anywhere with stairs, his character would have to sit it out. She could do tech/matrix overwatch or something like that, but it potentially wrenches the game into a shape it wasn't desgined for. I think it's a fascinating idea, but you'll want to talk to your GM about whether it's feasible.

Also, with all due respect to Backstabbist, I would advise against playing the gender card. The "litle ol' me" act is a cliché of the previous century (millennium!) that doesn't need to be revived.
#9
backstabbist
Jul 23, 2010 1:53:46 when your Strength is 4,
"Lil Ole Me" is no longer a cliche, but an accurate descriptor
#10
TheRealOrion
Jul 23, 2010 12:01:03 Sure, absolutely, but it's an accurate description of the character's Strength (or lack thereof), not the character's gender. Physical weakness is not inherently feminine.
#11
theriann
Jul 28, 2010 16:25:20
Well, I can't decided between a Glock 17 an a M93R.

The Glock gives Mastercraft, 17 shots, and is only 2 pounds.

The M93R is autofire, 3-round burst, and has 20 shots, all for only 3 pounds.

I was going to get a mesh vest or backpack, but then I noticed that they'd weigh as much as they'd add to my carry capacity.
#12
backstabbist
Jul 29, 2010 12:46:38 The problem with the glocks and barrettas
is that they are not JMBrowning designs, and therefore substandard weapons

when in doubt, 1911
#13
theriann
Jul 30, 2010 12:26:36 1911's?

I hate those. Everyone uses 'em. I think that Glock's are ugly, but they do have decent stats.

I'd go with a mastercraft TEC-9, but it weighs 4 pounds.
#14
backstabbist
Jul 30, 2010 15:55:39 well,
everyone uses the 45ACP version,
what you want is the 38Super 1911
#15
theriann
Jul 30, 2010 22:02:23 Hmm... Still no.

I've got a question about the AUG; the listed statistics are the same as the M16, but the listed weight is higher, and it has a much higher purchase DC. What's up with that? Shouldn't the AUG have a lower weight due to the use of plastics in it?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 theriann Jul 22, 2010 12:58:27	I just picked up a d20 Modern book the other day; this isn't my first experience with the d20 system, however. I've also played 3.5e and 4e D&D, and Saga Edition. Rolling stats for my first character landed me with these: 12 - 12 - 14 - 12 - 16 - 4 All nice, save the last one. By the rules, I can't re-roll these, and I'm not really certain what direction I should go with them. I was originally aiming for a Dedicated hero, but I also wanted to have some Cha. I can't put a 4 into a physical stat without making my character a cripple, and I can't put it into a mental stat without making my character either stupid, retarded, or uncouth. So, what should I do with these? Should I suck it up and go with 'em? Or cop out and re-roll?
#2 poet.desmond Jul 22, 2010 16:37:05	Personally, I would drop the 4 in strength and stick to ranged combat. How I'd play the rest out depends on what kind of character I want, and what kind of options will open up later; if magic using advanced classes will open up in the adventures, I'd want to sink the 16 into the appropriate ability for whichever advanced class I want to enter later; if I'm sticking with a normal human character; 16 Dex, 14 Con, 12 in Int, Wis, and Cha is pretty respectable. Just can't carry a lot, and shy away from close encounters. I've made it work with a 7 in Str, and otherwise similar stats. I also wouldn't waste time dropping ability points into the 4 at all; it's just too low to make it worth the effort of getting it up when you could raise that 16 and 14. Your character will have a somewhat narrow focus, but in the end, it could be worth it. Come up with a good in-game reason to justify the dropped stat; keep it roleplay instead of rollplay.
#3 theriann Jul 22, 2010 17:31:56	I had considered that, but 4 Strength gives a carrying capacity of 13 pounds for a light load. That's barely enough to carry a rifle... It seems that I forgot to mention that the campaign is going to be a Spec-Ops type. A recruit with 4 Strength would get slapped with a 4F so fast... Roll-play wise, the only thing I could see myself putting it in is Charisma. Other people can do the talking; I'll be the Barbarian. Role-play wise, it'd be easier to place in Strength; that is, if this weren't a military-style campaign.
#4 poet.desmond Jul 22, 2010 17:58:13	I can see where it would be a problem in Str, unless you were a tech specialist or civilian consultant; being recruited for brains instead of brawn is possible. Cha, though, would be an appropriate dump for a grunt.
#5 TheRealOrion Jul 22, 2010 21:30:25	I'm kinda shocked that a GM wouldn't just wave that 4. Yes, technically, you should be able to play a character with a 4, but sweet jebus, who'd want to? If your GM has decided, then she has decided, and there's little you can do about it. Basically, you have to ask yourself what you want a huge penalty on. Given that you're a spec-ops soldier, it can't feasibly be physical, so what do you want: almost no skill points (Intelligence), absolutely no resistance to verbal/mental attacks (Wisdom), or have villagers wave pitchforks at you on sight (Charisma)? Those are your options. Think about what might be the most fun to play as a handicap. Perhaps your character is totally dedicated to the cause but has no judgement of his own (low Wis)? Perhaps she has a preternatural sensitivity to human interaction but is dumb as a post: all "street smarts" but none of the other kinds of smart (low Int). Perhaps he's just the ugliest sumbich on the face of the Earth, even though he has other, really useful qualities (low Cha)?
#6 theriann Jul 22, 2010 23:29:59	Well, I've been DM'ing the group for a while, and I'm taking a break. While I DM'ed, I tried to encourage my players to keep the rolls they got, and now I'm trying to set a good example. At any rate, the campaign isn't set in stone; (the DM waffles...) it's now a CIA/secret agent adventure. ...If I put it in Strength, I may want to check out the wheelchair thread; wearing casual clothing and a windbreaker leaves me with 10 pounds of equipment to carry...
#7 backstabbist Jul 23, 2010 0:47:17	IMHO put the 4 in Strength and play a Charisma or Dedicated character, preferably female The others on the team wont be counting on Miss Charismatic being a doorkicker or tank, especially if you ham it up and play the "Lil ole me" card and feminine whiles. Buff your team instead of punching the enemy In our group, Princess is frequently the most important character when it comes to completing the mission, and she refuses to even carry a gun. I'm pretty sure Jimmy The Squeeler in our group has a low strength too, but not insane like a 4 Dont just put the 4 into Charisma, and assume you are just unelequent and ugly. Your character will seem incapable of successfully telling a lie, or hiding the truth with that penalty to bluff.
#8 TheRealOrion Jul 23, 2010 1:03:57	That would work, sure, unless you're talking about a commando team. The second they have to go anywhere with stairs, his character would have to sit it out. She could do tech/matrix overwatch or something like that, but it potentially wrenches the game into a shape it wasn't desgined for. I think it's a fascinating idea, but you'll want to talk to your GM about whether it's feasible. Also, with all due respect to Backstabbist, I would advise against playing the gender card. The "litle ol' me" act is a cliché of the previous century (millennium!) that doesn't need to be revived.
#9 backstabbist Jul 23, 2010 1:53:46	when your Strength is 4, "Lil Ole Me" is no longer a cliche, but an accurate descriptor
#10 TheRealOrion Jul 23, 2010 12:01:03	Sure, absolutely, but it's an accurate description of the character's Strength (or lack thereof), not the character's gender. Physical weakness is not inherently feminine.
#11 theriann Jul 28, 2010 16:25:20	Well, I can't decided between a Glock 17 an a M93R. The Glock gives Mastercraft, 17 shots, and is only 2 pounds. The M93R is autofire, 3-round burst, and has 20 shots, all for only 3 pounds. I was going to get a mesh vest or backpack, but then I noticed that they'd weigh as much as they'd add to my carry capacity.
#12 backstabbist Jul 29, 2010 12:46:38	The problem with the glocks and barrettas is that they are not JMBrowning designs, and therefore substandard weapons when in doubt, 1911
#13 theriann Jul 30, 2010 12:26:36	1911's? I hate those. Everyone uses 'em. I think that Glock's are ugly, but they do have decent stats. I'd go with a mastercraft TEC-9, but it weighs 4 pounds.
#14 backstabbist Jul 30, 2010 15:55:39	well, everyone uses the 45ACP version, what you want is the 38Super 1911
#15 theriann Jul 30, 2010 22:02:23	Hmm... Still no. I've got a question about the AUG; the listed statistics are the same as the M16, but the listed weight is higher, and it has a much higher purchase DC. What's up with that? Shouldn't the AUG have a lower weight due to the use of plastics in it?