So I'm travelling for a conference but see this message about a new D&D game that's starting up that I was going to play:
For those of you wanting to roll up a character, use a 16,14,12,12,10, 8 point spread. Place them where appropriate. If anyone needs help rolling up a character, message me.
Now... WTF? Dude admits he hasn't played/run this edition before and is already mucking up the 15,14,13,12,10,8 stats the book recommend? So here's my thinking.
1) By giving me a 16 it does open up all races to all classes. So that Aarakocra or Lizardman diviner might be a bit more appealing.
2) However, that makes the +2 to an ability score super powerful as now I can start with an 18. +4 to hit, +4 to damage on all my attacks is nice.
3) And that +1 from my race is basically useless. Like non-variant humans, who get +1 to everything, or Half-Elves who get +1 to two different abilities in addition to the +2 charisma
4) High scores mean feats will be important. Because if I were a half-elf warlock and start with a 18 charisma, I can only take one charisma boost, the rest might as well be feats.
5) I kinda do things like this too maybe, but I don't think I'd change the basic stat array. More likely to modify spell lists or something. I'd like to think that I'm more aware of the consequences of doing things like this though.
And these are the things going through my brainpan. It seems particularly true in 3rd, 4th, and 5th editions where ability scores are huge, but it is really odd how just seeing one little set of numbers starts me along the lines of: maybe that Aarakocra Diviner isn't such a bad option afterall.
For those of you wanting to roll up a character, use a 16,14,12,12,10, 8 point spread. Place them where appropriate. If anyone needs help rolling up a character, message me.
Now... WTF? Dude admits he hasn't played/run this edition before and is already mucking up the 15,14,13,12,10,8 stats the book recommend? So here's my thinking.
1) By giving me a 16 it does open up all races to all classes. So that Aarakocra or Lizardman diviner might be a bit more appealing.
2) However, that makes the +2 to an ability score super powerful as now I can start with an 18. +4 to hit, +4 to damage on all my attacks is nice.
3) And that +1 from my race is basically useless. Like non-variant humans, who get +1 to everything, or Half-Elves who get +1 to two different abilities in addition to the +2 charisma
4) High scores mean feats will be important. Because if I were a half-elf warlock and start with a 18 charisma, I can only take one charisma boost, the rest might as well be feats.
5) I kinda do things like this too maybe, but I don't think I'd change the basic stat array. More likely to modify spell lists or something. I'd like to think that I'm more aware of the consequences of doing things like this though.
And these are the things going through my brainpan. It seems particularly true in 3rd, 4th, and 5th editions where ability scores are huge, but it is really odd how just seeing one little set of numbers starts me along the lines of: maybe that Aarakocra Diviner isn't such a bad option afterall.
Man, does he realize what a difference the Flat math of 5e does? Having a 1st level characters start with 18s in ability scores is HUGE when that +6 to attack roll is like having a character start with no bonus and hit 8th level to get some ability bonus increases and an improved proficiency bonus?
ReplyDeleteHe'll learn quickly... CR 2 monsters that are "deadly" challenges for four 1st level PCs when you build encounters by the book have +6 attack bonuses.
I guess I'll say something, but maybe just "Dude, that's not the by-the-book array. Did you mean to make the characters more powerful with a stronger starting array?"
DeleteUpdate:
Delete"Hey, guys. [Thomas] pointed out a possible element of confusion, and I thank him for it. My spread of 16,14,12,12,10, 8 is a ceiling. So, that includes any racial bonuses. If you want to roll your own characters, feel free. You'll probably roll lower. And, you shouldn't have any stats over 16 to start, otherwise it really gives you huge advantages in 5th edition that will make doing ability checks, in particular, feel redundant."
Still seems like a hack of a way to roll for characters, but at least the guy seems like he's trying to have people both roll and keep the math right. But if I roll some d6s soon and get an 18... wtf do I do other than be disappointed?
Yeah, that's odd that he made that a ceiling, since even if you didn't roll 18s but just rolled 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 10 you'd have to drop several stats, even before racial bonuses. For a spread that low, it seems easier to do 3d6 with point buy as a back-up/minimum.
DeleteAnd looking at the point spread that Wizards gives as alternative, you get 15,14,13,12,10,8 before racial bonuses, so it's seems odd that would be passed over, I guess it gives you the chance to have a 17, but?
I'm basically just going to use the starting array, but I did try rolling stats for an Aarakocra diviner and ended up with 18, 16, 16, 10, 8, 6. I guess what's really needed is a different method to roll which has less variance (and caps at 15) to make rolling in this edition actually work...
DeleteBrings to mind one of the methods where your scores started at 8 or so, and you assigned 7d6 as desired (cap of 18, obvs). You'd get randomness but could easily set the cap at 15 max...