Okay so I'm currently preparing for a discord campaign. Anyways, I the DM helped my players on making their characters, who all of them decided on using point buy. But one new player decided on rolling stats and was playing a particular kind of warlock. Known for its edginess across the D&D community. Only the rogue in the corner of the tavern could rival it...
The infamously powerful hexblade. Okay to be fair people don't pick it for edginess it's just a joke. And then this new player's rolls came as I just was shocked more than getting hit by a shocking grasp at 4d8. Listen I knew extremely powerful stats were a thing but I never expected this. He rolled a 16, 13, 13, 8, 14, and 17 in front of my own eyes on camera with his proven to be non-rigged D6 dice. And well let's get back edgy warlock/hexblade. It is very 1 stat focused. Then he used the almighty power of variant human to increase charisma and constitution (his most powerful stats) in front of me as well as taking the durable feat (I was realizing he was getting very powerful and so I lead him to durable feat and not tough) for a higher constitution. Now, this new player managed to coincidentally make a, pretty powerful warlock (More powerful than I have seen). And on one hand I was laughing due to the power, but also in a predicament as I didn't want one character to be super powerful as I'm DMing for primarily new or newish players and I didn't want to incentivize having to crazy minmax just to stay equal in power.
So what unholy nerfs shall I bring upon this overpowered warlock in the name of D&D communism...
nothing.
I talked with him.
So what we agreed upon was something very unorthodox. Although powerful at level 1 we agreed into an artificer multiclass at level 2 as he wanted to be partly mechanical. And by that a basically arcane cyborg or something like that. This lowers the accidental optimization at the level of a power gamer doing it on purpose. This also allows him to get cool stuff while not destroying the game's power balance.
And by the way, the player is literally basing all of the stuff he has off of a literal cool miniature he found so there is also that too lol. He's not even trying to commit ultimate optimisation. All of this was accidental. Yes I'm adding this as the icing on the cake because cake. I like cake
Talking to your players is good, but it's also good to watch how self-congratulatory a tone one takes. Going overboard risks making people think that you're not trying to spread advice so much as fishing for complements.
The other thing about rolling stats is that while they can make a character extremely strong at low levels, the higher level the party gets, the less impact the stats will have, especially on stats that are not important for your class/subclass.
Talking to your players is good, but it's also good to watch how self-congratulatory a tone one takes. Going overboard risks making people think that you're not trying to spread advice so much as fishing for complements.
The other thing about rolling stats is that while they can make a character extremely strong at low levels, the higher level the party gets, the less impact the stats will have, especially on stats that are not important for your class/subclass.
Oh no I'm not fishing for complements lol. I'm just trying to tell another reason on why you should talk to players.
Now, this NEW player managed to coincidentally make a, ungodly powerful warlock.
17-16-14 in the three highest stats doesn't make a character "ungodly powerful". It's one point of bonus in each of these stats over the standard array, that's all - 5% better odds for corresponding rolls, 1 hp/level, +1 initiative, possibly +1 AC. A great package altogether, but those individual +1s don't turn mortals into gods when the dice hit the table. And Hexblades are strong, but so are two dozen other (sub)classes.
Good for you and for your player for talking. Communication is key to having a good game. I don't think you're doing anyone any favours representing this as a major power problem though.
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Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
Now, this NEW player managed to coincidentally make a, ungodly powerful warlock.
17-16-14 in the three highest stats doesn't make a character "ungodly powerful". It's one point of bonus in each of these stats over the standard array, that's all - 5% better odds for corresponding rolls, 1 hp/level, +1 initiative, possibly +1 AC. A great package altogether, but those individual +1s don't turn mortals into gods when the dice hit the table. And Hexblades are strong, but so are two dozen other (sub)classes.
Good for you and for your player for talking. Communication is key to having a good game. I don't think you're doing anyone any favours representing this as a major power problem though.
I'll edit the post to be a bit less exaggerated! Thanks!
I don't think hexblades on their own are particularly broken, it's when you start to multiclass, take the right feats (which isn't tough, but a combination of polearm master and great weapon master and potentially elven accuracy) the class starts entering op/game-breaking territory. Unless he starts combining that, taking darkness and devil's sight, etc, I think you should let him continue with warlock.
It will still be strong, but even with those stats on average it shouldn't be a problem. Like you said he's a new player, so chances are he won't play optimally even if you gave him a broken build. So I say suggest he takes toughness, let him run pure warlock for some levels, and if he's continuously breaking encounters, then talk with him about balance.
Also I think hexblades appeal to players not because of the edge they ooze, at least not primarily, but because it's one of the few classes that marry swordplay and magic really well.
I don't think hexblades on their own are particularly broken, it's when you start to multiclass, take the right feats (which isn't tough, but a combination of polearm master and great weapon master and potentially elven accuracy) the class starts entering op/game-breaking territory. Unless he starts combining that, taking darkness and devil's sight, etc, I think you should let him continue with warlock.
It will still be strong, but even with those stats on average it shouldn't be a problem. Like you said he's a new player, so chances are he won't play optimally even if you gave him a broken build. So I say suggest he takes toughness, let him run pure warlock for some levels, and if he's continuously breaking encounters, then talk with him about balance.
Also I think hexblades appeal to players not because of the edge they ooze, at least not primarily, but because it's one of the few classes that marry swordplay and magic really well.
I was just making a joke with the edginess! :D
Plus I suggested Hexblade when he told me the character concept. I'll let him of course do pure warlock, I just gave the suggestion. Plus I told him just like a 1 level dip until a bit. He does seem to like the concept of an artificer multiclass though and I think he wants to stick with that.
So honestly, you had a few options right in my eyes, and you took one I never even thought to do:
Ignore it, do nothing, let them play.
Give everyone at the table the same stat pool.
Say nope, too strong, use point buy.
Influence combat instantly and target the OP warlock.
Those would have been the four kneejerks for me. I think option 2 is the one I've talked about the most and I find the most comfort with. Option one is the least conflict one, but might have table issues later. Option three is an instant argument. Option four is spiteful.
Communication is important, and the fact that you watched him roll dice makes it out to be that you know it was luck. I love that, because it takes ANY guess work out of ANYONES logic of "he's cheating". Lets you move INSTANTLY past it. That's what I think DMs need, is the ability for them to be flexible in how they present solutions to social issues, so our tables can see and learn from example.
The stats are nothing to worry about. It's a bit better compare to the point buy. Doesn't look too crazy to me. On one of my campaign characters I rolled 18, 17, 17, 16, 13, 11.... that's where my DM had a slight moment of regret, but no matter the stats I still get my ass beaten. Not to mention that only cause I have good stats I already try to fill all character roles or act like that either.
As a DM I don't care about my players stats if they end up on the higher spectrum. No rolled stats ever killed an adventure or made a game not fun for us. Spotlights don't care about stats so much and we have plenty of those to make our games fun.
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Okay so I'm currently preparing for a discord campaign. Anyways, I the DM helped my players on making their characters, who all of them decided on using point buy. But one new player decided on rolling stats and was playing a particular kind of warlock. Known for its edginess across the D&D community. Only the rogue in the corner of the tavern could rival it...
The infamously powerful hexblade. Okay to be fair people don't pick it for edginess it's just a joke. And then this new player's rolls came as I just was shocked more than getting hit by a shocking grasp at 4d8. Listen I knew extremely powerful stats were a thing but I never expected this. He rolled a 16, 13, 13, 8, 14, and 17 in front of my own eyes on camera with his proven to be non-rigged D6 dice. And well let's get back edgy warlock/hexblade. It is very 1 stat focused. Then he used the almighty power of variant human to increase charisma and constitution (his most powerful stats) in front of me as well as taking the durable feat (I was realizing he was getting very powerful and so I lead him to durable feat and not tough) for a higher constitution. Now, this new player managed to coincidentally make a, pretty powerful warlock (More powerful than I have seen). And on one hand I was laughing due to the power, but also in a predicament as I didn't want one character to be super powerful as I'm DMing for primarily new or newish players and I didn't want to incentivize having to crazy minmax just to stay equal in power.
So what unholy nerfs shall I bring upon this overpowered warlock in the name of D&D communism...
nothing.
I talked with him.
So what we agreed upon was something very unorthodox. Although powerful at level 1 we agreed into an artificer multiclass at level 2 as he wanted to be partly mechanical. And by that a basically arcane cyborg or something like that. This lowers the accidental optimization at the level of a power gamer doing it on purpose. This also allows him to get cool stuff while not destroying the game's power balance.
And by the way, the player is literally basing all of the stuff he has off of a literal cool miniature he found so there is also that too lol. He's not even trying to commit ultimate optimisation. All of this was accidental. Yes I'm adding this as the icing on the cake because cake. I like cake
But you see DMs...
Talk with your players...
Shouldn't have allowed the rolled stats imo :) Good solution that you found.
Altrazin Aghanes - Wizard/Fighter
Varpulis Windhowl - Fighter
Skolson Demjon - Cleric/Fighter
I underestimated the power of 4d6 add highest 3 lol.
Honestly I just told him to roll stats after 20 minutes of indecision.
Talking to your players is good, but it's also good to watch how self-congratulatory a tone one takes. Going overboard risks making people think that you're not trying to spread advice so much as fishing for complements.
The other thing about rolling stats is that while they can make a character extremely strong at low levels, the higher level the party gets, the less impact the stats will have, especially on stats that are not important for your class/subclass.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
Oh no I'm not fishing for complements lol. I'm just trying to tell another reason on why you should talk to players.
17-16-14 in the three highest stats doesn't make a character "ungodly powerful". It's one point of bonus in each of these stats over the standard array, that's all - 5% better odds for corresponding rolls, 1 hp/level, +1 initiative, possibly +1 AC. A great package altogether, but those individual +1s don't turn mortals into gods when the dice hit the table. And Hexblades are strong, but so are two dozen other (sub)classes.
Good for you and for your player for talking. Communication is key to having a good game. I don't think you're doing anyone any favours representing this as a major power problem though.
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
I'll edit the post to be a bit less exaggerated! Thanks!
I don't think hexblades on their own are particularly broken, it's when you start to multiclass, take the right feats (which isn't tough, but a combination of polearm master and great weapon master and potentially elven accuracy) the class starts entering op/game-breaking territory. Unless he starts combining that, taking darkness and devil's sight, etc, I think you should let him continue with warlock.
It will still be strong, but even with those stats on average it shouldn't be a problem. Like you said he's a new player, so chances are he won't play optimally even if you gave him a broken build. So I say suggest he takes toughness, let him run pure warlock for some levels, and if he's continuously breaking encounters, then talk with him about balance.
Also I think hexblades appeal to players not because of the edge they ooze, at least not primarily, but because it's one of the few classes that marry swordplay and magic really well.
I was just making a joke with the edginess! :D
Plus I suggested Hexblade when he told me the character concept. I'll let him of course do pure warlock, I just gave the suggestion. Plus I told him just like a 1 level dip until a bit. He does seem to like the concept of an artificer multiclass though and I think he wants to stick with that.
So honestly, you had a few options right in my eyes, and you took one I never even thought to do:
Ignore it, do nothing, let them play.
Give everyone at the table the same stat pool.
Say nope, too strong, use point buy.
Influence combat instantly and target the OP warlock.
Those would have been the four kneejerks for me. I think option 2 is the one I've talked about the most and I find the most comfort with. Option one is the least conflict one, but might have table issues later. Option three is an instant argument. Option four is spiteful.
Communication is important, and the fact that you watched him roll dice makes it out to be that you know it was luck. I love that, because it takes ANY guess work out of ANYONES logic of "he's cheating". Lets you move INSTANTLY past it. That's what I think DMs need, is the ability for them to be flexible in how they present solutions to social issues, so our tables can see and learn from example.
The stats are nothing to worry about. It's a bit better compare to the point buy. Doesn't look too crazy to me. On one of my campaign characters I rolled 18, 17, 17, 16, 13, 11.... that's where my DM had a slight moment of regret, but no matter the stats I still get my ass beaten. Not to mention that only cause I have good stats I already try to fill all character roles or act like that either.
As a DM I don't care about my players stats if they end up on the higher spectrum. No rolled stats ever killed an adventure or made a game not fun for us. Spotlights don't care about stats so much and we have plenty of those to make our games fun.