[D&D] Alternate Ability Score Generation

[zakarntson]

Note that I have no idea how character generation has been changed in D&D 4e, so this post may be rendered moot next month. But not yet![Edit] Here's a quote from the most recent Wizards 4e preview. Turns out they haven't fixed it. At least they've made a note of it.Ability Scores: Your character race gives you a bonus to a particular ability score

Comments

[counterfeitfake]

Half-Orc? HALF-ORC??

[zakarntson]

Yeah, I said it. I'M NOT TAKING IT BACK!!

I could have said, "Half-Orc Bard, Shrag-kalas, Minder of Hawk Totem, Wielder of the tarrasque-bone lyre, Illfate-song, Son of Grag-Alashkor."

But I didn't.

[counterfeitfake]

It's easy to make a half orc. All you need is a whole orc and a sword.

[zakarntson]

That was grand.

Re: Even more bullshit

[zakarntson]

Star Wars Saga has my current favorite for expediency: Here are six numbers, assign each one to an ability score.

Though I do love rolling ability scores.

And the old-school way of rolling each score, 3d6, final answer. That's so insane and awesome. I remember Eric's Cleric with a Consitution of 4.

Re: Win

[zakarntson]

The newest Star Wars is actually a pretty awesome system. Nearly everything is there: Smugglers, nobility (like princesses) with in-game effectiveness, starship combat, shoot-outs, lightsaber fights, force-using, etc. etc. They just forgot to provide rules for the meat of the conflict.

Okay, that's a lie. They have this optional rule for Destiny Points, which allows you to have one destiny. But nothing very awesome to reward the themes we know from the films, like Friends vs. Duty (do I train with master Yoda or help my friends?), Self vs. Others (do we turn the Falcon around and help attack the Death Star?), etc. etc.

I've been thinking about that, and I hope to post about it later.

[david_chunn]

I think that's a brilliant way to handle character creation for the effects-build generation of D&D. Though you could also do 2d6+6 for the primary stat, if you were willing to risk a bit more power.

For the older varieties of D&D, I think it best to do 3d6 in order from start to finish. Part of the challenge and the fun in OD&D was playing what you got.

[zakarntson]

Yeah, 2d6+6 sounds like it would be nicer. I wanted to allow for a larger curve, to prevent every other character have a 16-18 stat. But the 2d6+6 method does seem to be on par with the current badassity of 4e art.