Ability Scores Generation for Heroic D&D Campaigns

[The Archivist]

From The Drive  The Lady wrote

While I have always just used 3d6 in order, since my vision has always been average people with an adventurous spirit; I have been listening to quite a few of you that run heroic type campaign, where the PC's are or will become legendary heros. So I have been thinking about methods of generating scores that are compatible with that type of model. This also assumes that I did the math right.


Option 1: All 6 ability scores get a base of 6 and then roll 2d6, this guarantees a min of 8 in any score and and average of 13.



Option 2: All 6 ability scores get a base of 6 and then roll 3d4, this guarantees a min of 9 in any score and and average of 13.5.



Option 3: All 6 ability scores get a base of 10 and then roll 2d4, this guarantees a min of 12 in any score and and average of 15.



Option 4: All 6 ability scores get a base of 12 and then roll 1d6, this guarantees a min of 13 in any score and and average of 15.5.



If you are running a heroic type campaign, I would welcome your comments on these, as to would you use one of them and/or would you suggest any alterations.

[The Archivist]

The Opinion of The Lady on the preceding

Now for those who run campaigns where the PC's will be the legends of the future, I think you are deceiving yourselves if you think that everyone who becomes a legend is above average in everything. But if I were going to deliberately run such a campaign then I would use method 4, since it is the only method that mandates all above average scores.



My personal opinion is that to use anything beyond 3d6 in order is questionable at best and a compromise position is 3d6 and arrange as you like. The 4d6 and drop the lowest and arrange as you like is munchkin in my opinion. The 6d6 rolled twelve times and keep the best if you are going to do that, you might as well just tell them they can have all 18's and let it go at that.



I don't see what all the fuss is that you have to have all high scores. Any player of D&D should have enough imagination to have fun playing any character you roll, remember this game was rejected because Avalon Hill could not see anyway to win. Wanting to have high numbers is about wanting to win. IMC winning is defined as surviving to play the same character another day, and that is to me the ultimate in realism. Isn't that what life is about, living one day at a time and surviving whatever life brings your way. Of course in D&D we go looking for adventure and in real life most people long for adventure but never take any steps to have any.



Playing D&D is not about having the most powerful character with the highest scores. It is about playing well and gaining the respect of your fellow players. It is about making lemonades out of lemons and if something good does come your way, enjoy it!

[Deleted]

Since we're talking OD&D, remember that the effect of ability scores is minor anyway. So really, I don't find this necessary at all.

Yes, "MUST HAVE HIGH STATS" is a thing for some people, but in OD&D it never has been for me.

[sixdemonbag]

To me, the more stats are normalized, the less exciting rolling up a new character becomes.

[Admin Pete]

Aug 5, 2017 23:12:22 GMT -5 @gronanofsimmerya said:

Since we're talking OD&D, remember that the effect of ability scores is minor anyway. So really, I don't find this necessary at all.

Yes, "MUST HAVE HIGH STATS" is a thing for some people, but in OD&D it never has been for me.

It looks like from the two posts that "she," whoever she is, agrees with you, but offered ideas for those that don't.

[scottanderson]

Obsessing about stats is the beginning of face-down play and face-down play is decidedly new school. The more unforgiving and hardcore you do it, the more fun you will have. People will complain to begin but they will usually come around to it when they play hardcore and see how different it feels.

So roll 3d6 in order. Play the class you want even if the stats tell you otherwise. Roll for hit points, and do it one time only. Die at -1 hit points. Use the 2d6 reaction table. Track your torches. And always carry a ten foot pole.

[sixdemonbag]

Aug 6, 2017 14:35:25 GMT -5 scottanderson said:

Obsessing about stats is the beginning of face-down play and face-down play is decidedly new school. The more unforgiving and hardcore you do it, the more fun you will have. People will complain to begin but they will usually come around to it when they play hardcore and see how different it feels.

So roll 3d6 in order. Play the class you want even if the stats tell you otherwise. Roll for hit points, and do it one time only. Die at -1 hit points. Use the 2d6 reaction table. Track your torches. And always carry a ten foot pole.

I certainly respect your hard lines. Hard-mode for sure! Unfortunately, in the name of expediency, creating a little buffer between having to roll up new characters can be quite the time-saver.

I think this really just depends on how much time you have in your life to dedicate to gaming.  The less time you have, the less fun it is to keep rolling up new characters. Somewhere there is balance, and that is where a fair and experienced DM becomes a true asset. But, really my point is that the size of this "buffer" is arbitrary and should be adjusted to taste.

[scottanderson]

As long as you're sitting down at the table across from friends, you're doing it right.

[sixdemonbag]

Aug 6, 2017 15:32:51 GMT -5 scottanderson said:

As long as you're sitting down at the table across from friends, you're doing it right.

Very well said. Now, if I could only convince my friends that giving me all their treasure and magic items is "doing it right"!! 

[scottanderson]

Ah, just take first watch and slit their throats as they sleep.

[Admin Pete]

Aug 6, 2017 15:00:24 GMT -5 sixdemonbag said:

Aug 6, 2017 14:35:25 GMT -5 scottanderson said:

Obsessing about stats is the beginning of face-down play and face-down play is decidedly new school. The more unforgiving and hardcore you do it, the more fun you will have. People will complain to begin but they will usually come around to it when they play hardcore and see how different it feels.

So roll 3d6 in order. Play the class you want even if the stats tell you otherwise. Roll for hit points, and do it one time only. Die at -1 hit points. Use the 2d6 reaction table. Track your torches. And always carry a ten foot pole.

I certainly respect your hard lines. Hard-mode for sure! Unfortunately, in the name of expediency, creating a little buffer between having to roll up new characters can be quite the time-saver.

I think this really just depends on how much time you have in your life to dedicate to gaming.  The less time you have, the less fun it is to keep rolling up new characters. Somewhere there is balance, and that is where a fair and experienced DM becomes a true asset. But, really my point is that the size of this "buffer" is arbitrary and should be adjusted to taste.

I roll the character up in face to face games the same way I will roll them up in a pbp game, I always have "spares" and if a PC dies I work the new PC into the game as quickly as possible.

[Admin Pete]

Aug 6, 2017 18:51:31 GMT -5 scottanderson said:

Ah, just take first watch and slit their throats as they sleep.

Of course if you do that then your player will never be safe with the group again and you will never be able to sleep again and they will always be watching you. So are you sure you want to do this?

[sixdemonbag]

Aug 6, 2017 20:34:34 GMT -5 Admin Pete said:

Aug 6, 2017 15:00:24 GMT -5 sixdemonbag said:

I certainly respect your hard lines. Hard-mode for sure! Unfortunately, in the name of expediency, creating a little buffer between having to roll up new characters can be quite the time-saver.

I think this really just depends on how much time you have in your life to dedicate to gaming.  The less time you have, the less fun it is to keep rolling up new characters. Somewhere there is balance, and that is where a fair and experienced DM becomes a true asset. But, really my point is that the size of this "buffer" is arbitrary and should be adjusted to taste.

I roll the character up in face to face games the same way I will roll them up in a pbp game, I always have "spares" and if a PC dies I work the new PC into the game as quickly as possible.

That's the best way to do it for an OD&D game without a doubt. Not to mention, I'm guessing you have a good deal of experience doing this.