Post by DM Blake on Jul 16, 2007 11:37:37 GMT -5
Edit: Looks like Sphyre's system it is! We'll use this for all characters from now on, at least in this campaign. I like the system a lot though, so I imagine we'll use it for future campaigns as well. I will be using one variant to this rule, and that is any set of stats that totals less than 28 points using the DMG's point buy will allowed a re-roll, until the total equivalent points equals 28 or greater.
Also, remember, all ability rolls (and hit point rolls) need to be witnessed by myself. I will be happy to roll them on request, but you'll need to give me the layout of what you'd like beforehand (Softcore, Hardcore, what ranks and where, etc.)
Every now and then I reference my stat aquisition method and the effects it has on the game for me. It's not a perfect art, but I've been very happy with the results of implementing it for over 2 years. I'm not posting this for the purpose of converting people to it, but rather simply as a reference so people know what I'm talking about. If you want to adopt it, you're certainly welcome to.
I used to have a this on the boards but it was lost in the last board upgrade, so this is simply a repost. I have also had some people PM me asking where it is and I have to explain it's been lost and write it all up for them again.
This system is design to give the player a lot of control in choices for their stats while still allowing ability to roll. One of my biggest problems with pointbuy is that it garuntees dump stats. With the randomness of rolling, your dump stats may vary in power, giving a little bit more fluidity to character creation.
It also puts a lot of power into the player's hands in terms of customizing their character/stat aquisition method. You're given points that you can do a variety of things with, spend them on any equations you want, or you can save them for after you roll your stats to boost low scores. Another bonus of this system is that while it's still based on randomness some players will inevitably roll higher stats than others, the contingency point system allows you to boost your stats after you have rolled, and the lower the score that you spend it on, the bigger boost it gives. This means that if you rolled lower than Mr. two 18s, then your contingency points are going to be worth more overall value than his, bridging the gap a bit more.
Keep in mind though, that since it's still rolling, it does have variances, and while lessened, does not remove imbalances. It does, though give the player a lot of power to be happy with their scores no matter what happens though. Remember, if all else fails, you can use the "reroll" rule if your scores aren't high enough.
Players choose Hardcore or Softcore.
Hardcore - You are assigned 7 points.
Softcore - You are assigned 6 points.
The Equations:
Contingency Points:
After you have rolled a score, you can use any leftover points, known from this point on as contingency points, on boosting your scores. The amount it raises your score is based on what the score is:
Behind the scenes on Contingency points
Note: If you use two contingency points on a score, you apply them separately, meaning if you have a 7, and you use a contingency point it is boosted by 3, and becomes a 10. Then you use it again, to boost it by 2, becoming a 12.
Since it is a bit bulkier of a system than say... 4d6 drop the lowest arrange as desired, there might be confusion as to how it works an you may have questions. That's what this section is for so you can see it in action.
Hardcore Example:
I choose hardcore so I have 7 points.
I'm playing a wizard so my highest score will definately be int. I'm also thinking I'll use a few ranged touch attacks so I'm going to decide that dex should be my next highest score, followed by con. Wis, Str, and Cha are all less important.
I buy one A equation, and 2 C equations. This costs me 3 points for the A equation, and 1 point each for each C equations and 3 D equations for no points, totalling to 5 points. This leaves me 2 contingency points.
I assign my equations to stats:
Str - D
Dex - C
Con - C
Int - A
Wis - D
Cha - D
I now roll my Str which is 3d6, and I come out with a 13.
I roll my Dex which is 6+2d6 and get a 14
I roll my Con which is 6+2d6 and unfortunately get an 8
I roll my Int which is ½d6(rounded down) get a 17
I roll my Wis which is 3d6 and get a 7.
I roll my Cha which is 3d6 and get an 11
I have two contingency points to use. I know I want to use at least one on my con, because i rolled minimum on that. That increases it to 10.
Now this is where the decision gets tough. I rolled a 7 for wisdom, and can boost that to 10, having no negative stats. I have a 10 in con, when I'd rather have that higher in case I get hit. I also have a 17 in int, which I could boost that to an 18. The choice is yours and yours alone. I'd probably go 18 int or boost the wisdom to increase my will save and senses by two. It's really a choice of whether you want to boost your assets or mimize your weaknesses. Either way, this system has created a very useable wizard while also allowing it to be non-stereotypical in references to having str as a dump stat.
Softcore Example
I choose softcore so I have 6 points.
I buy equations, buying 5 Cs for one point each, and 1 D for 0 points, netting me with 1 point left over.
I roll 6+2d6 5 times, and 3d6 once, and get the following array: 14, 15, 18, 10, 11, 5.
I have a contingency point so I spend it on the 5, boosting it to an 8. I have the following array now: 18, 15, 14, 11, 10, 8.
I take these scores and arrange as desired.
Well, that's the system. Those of you who went to look at the link will note I left out the variant section. I did this because it wouldn't apply to the game, the options offered would be the points listed at the top of this thread with Hardcore and Softcore.
Also note that the biggest difference in Hardcore and Softcore (one I missed when initially reading through) is that, besides a one point difference, those picking Hardcore need to assign Ranks to each stat before rolling, while those using Softcore get to roll first and then assign. See the examples for more clarification.
Also, remember, all ability rolls (and hit point rolls) need to be witnessed by myself. I will be happy to roll them on request, but you'll need to give me the layout of what you'd like beforehand (Softcore, Hardcore, what ranks and where, etc.)
Sphyre's "Pointbuy Rolling System"
Preface
Every now and then I reference my stat aquisition method and the effects it has on the game for me. It's not a perfect art, but I've been very happy with the results of implementing it for over 2 years. I'm not posting this for the purpose of converting people to it, but rather simply as a reference so people know what I'm talking about. If you want to adopt it, you're certainly welcome to.
I used to have a this on the boards but it was lost in the last board upgrade, so this is simply a repost. I have also had some people PM me asking where it is and I have to explain it's been lost and write it all up for them again.
This system is design to give the player a lot of control in choices for their stats while still allowing ability to roll. One of my biggest problems with pointbuy is that it garuntees dump stats. With the randomness of rolling, your dump stats may vary in power, giving a little bit more fluidity to character creation.
It also puts a lot of power into the player's hands in terms of customizing their character/stat aquisition method. You're given points that you can do a variety of things with, spend them on any equations you want, or you can save them for after you roll your stats to boost low scores. Another bonus of this system is that while it's still based on randomness some players will inevitably roll higher stats than others, the contingency point system allows you to boost your stats after you have rolled, and the lower the score that you spend it on, the bigger boost it gives. This means that if you rolled lower than Mr. two 18s, then your contingency points are going to be worth more overall value than his, bridging the gap a bit more.
Keep in mind though, that since it's still rolling, it does have variances, and while lessened, does not remove imbalances. It does, though give the player a lot of power to be happy with their scores no matter what happens though. Remember, if all else fails, you can use the "reroll" rule if your scores aren't high enough.
The System
Players choose Hardcore or Softcore.
Hardcore - You are assigned 7 points.
- You first buy equations.
- You assign the equations to your stats.
- You roll your stats.
- You use any remaining points, also known as contingency points.
Softcore - You are assigned 6 points.
- You first buy equations
- You roll your stats.
- You use any remaining points, also known as contingency points.
- You arrange your scores as desired.
The Equations:
| Points Cost | Equation | Range | |
| A | 3 | 15+½d6(rounded down) | 15-18 |
| B | 2 | 10+2d4 | 12-18 |
| C | 1 | 6+2d6 | 8-18 |
| D | 0 | 3d6 | 3-18 |
Contingency Points:
After you have rolled a score, you can use any leftover points, known from this point on as contingency points, on boosting your scores. The amount it raises your score is based on what the score is:
| Score | Boost |
| 3-7 | +3 |
| 8-14 | +2 |
| 15-17 | +1 |
| 18 | +0 |
Behind the scenes on Contingency points
| Old Score | New Score | Mod Increase |
| 3 | 6 | +2 |
| 4 | 7 | +1 |
| 5 | 8 | +2 |
| 6 | 9 | +1 |
| 7 | 10 | +2 |
| 8 | 10 | +1 |
| 9 | 11 | +1 |
| 10 | 12 | +1 |
| 11 | 13 | +1 |
| 12 | 14 | +1 |
| 13 | 15 | +1 |
| 14 | 16 | +1 |
| 15 | 16 | +1 |
| 16 | 17 | +0 |
| 17 | 18 | +1 |
| 18 | 18 | +0 |
Note: If you use two contingency points on a score, you apply them separately, meaning if you have a 7, and you use a contingency point it is boosted by 3, and becomes a 10. Then you use it again, to boost it by 2, becoming a 12.
Examples
Since it is a bit bulkier of a system than say... 4d6 drop the lowest arrange as desired, there might be confusion as to how it works an you may have questions. That's what this section is for so you can see it in action.
Hardcore Example:
I choose hardcore so I have 7 points.
I'm playing a wizard so my highest score will definately be int. I'm also thinking I'll use a few ranged touch attacks so I'm going to decide that dex should be my next highest score, followed by con. Wis, Str, and Cha are all less important.
I buy one A equation, and 2 C equations. This costs me 3 points for the A equation, and 1 point each for each C equations and 3 D equations for no points, totalling to 5 points. This leaves me 2 contingency points.
I assign my equations to stats:
Str - D
Dex - C
Con - C
Int - A
Wis - D
Cha - D
I now roll my Str which is 3d6, and I come out with a 13.
I roll my Dex which is 6+2d6 and get a 14
I roll my Con which is 6+2d6 and unfortunately get an 8
I roll my Int which is ½d6(rounded down) get a 17
I roll my Wis which is 3d6 and get a 7.
I roll my Cha which is 3d6 and get an 11
I have two contingency points to use. I know I want to use at least one on my con, because i rolled minimum on that. That increases it to 10.
Now this is where the decision gets tough. I rolled a 7 for wisdom, and can boost that to 10, having no negative stats. I have a 10 in con, when I'd rather have that higher in case I get hit. I also have a 17 in int, which I could boost that to an 18. The choice is yours and yours alone. I'd probably go 18 int or boost the wisdom to increase my will save and senses by two. It's really a choice of whether you want to boost your assets or mimize your weaknesses. Either way, this system has created a very useable wizard while also allowing it to be non-stereotypical in references to having str as a dump stat.
Softcore Example
I choose softcore so I have 6 points.
I buy equations, buying 5 Cs for one point each, and 1 D for 0 points, netting me with 1 point left over.
I roll 6+2d6 5 times, and 3d6 once, and get the following array: 14, 15, 18, 10, 11, 5.
I have a contingency point so I spend it on the 5, boosting it to an 8. I have the following array now: 18, 15, 14, 11, 10, 8.
I take these scores and arrange as desired.
Well, that's the system. Those of you who went to look at the link will note I left out the variant section. I did this because it wouldn't apply to the game, the options offered would be the points listed at the top of this thread with Hardcore and Softcore.
Also note that the biggest difference in Hardcore and Softcore (one I missed when initially reading through) is that, besides a one point difference, those picking Hardcore need to assign Ranks to each stat before rolling, while those using Softcore get to roll first and then assign. See the examples for more clarification.
