I have been pondering trying a DnD 5E character creation system mixing rolls and point buy. The idea stems from conversations with my last group over the DMs notion that you don't pick how you are born and my idea that our life experiences shape us to some extent. Recognizing the truth of both of these viewpoints it seemed to me to make sense to combine these approaches. Here is where I am at with this as of right now.
PCs roll 3d6 for attributes down the character sheet (STR is 1st roll, Dex 2nd, etc.)
If total is below 60, they roll again
Total points rolled are added up and subtracted from 78. (Ex, all six attributes total to 63. 78-63=15)
The number arrived at in step three is divided by 2 and rounded up. (So 15/2=7.5=8 in our example)
PC can add those 8 points to rolled states as they wish with following limitations.
No stat can be bought above 15 (before racial bonuses). I feel like 16, 17, and 18s should be freakish and unattainable without rolling.
No stat can have more than three points put into it.
PCs must explain the point growth through their backstory.
My goals are as follows:
Avoid the creation of the same characters with same stats over and over.
Encourage PCs to make backstories with a variety of elements and that are actually reflected in their PCs.I believe the initial roll before points are applied also helps here. (My tiefling was so sickly [Rolled Con 5] my poor mother (who had already been impregnated by a demon!) assumed I was going to die but...)
Create some RPable weird stat combos (wise wizards, smart fighters, etc.)
Maintain some balance (rolling well nerfs your spendable points)
A few ideas that aren't directly related to this I also plan to use are:
Let PCs trade their stat rolls (entire sets, not indivdual rolls) to avoid being stuck playing something you don't want
I also change up racial bonuses. For races with the +2/+1 formula, I allow the +1 to put into whatever stat the PC desires. The +2 maintains some sense of racial identity but the +1 makes almost any race/class combo playable without penalty.
Aside from general thoughts and suggestions, I would like help in making the math work. The goal would be for this system to generally create PCs comparable to 27 point buy PCs. The numbers I have chosen are fairly arbitrary. If you got this far, thanks for reading and I would love to hear your thoughts.
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Hello,
I have been pondering trying a DnD 5E character creation system mixing rolls and point buy. The idea stems from conversations with my last group over the DMs notion that you don't pick how you are born and my idea that our life experiences shape us to some extent. Recognizing the truth of both of these viewpoints it seemed to me to make sense to combine these approaches. Here is where I am at with this as of right now.
My goals are as follows:
A few ideas that aren't directly related to this I also plan to use are:
Let PCs trade their stat rolls (entire sets, not indivdual rolls) to avoid being stuck playing something you don't want
I also change up racial bonuses. For races with the +2/+1 formula, I allow the +1 to put into whatever stat the PC desires. The +2 maintains some sense of racial identity but the +1 makes almost any race/class combo playable without penalty.
Aside from general thoughts and suggestions, I would like help in making the math work. The goal would be for this system to generally create PCs comparable to 27 point buy PCs. The numbers I have chosen are fairly arbitrary. If you got this far, thanks for reading and I would love to hear your thoughts.