Is there any specific scenario where it would be better to use Manual instead of Standard Array or Point Buy? Regardless, can anyone explain how to use it? I have no idea how to make it fair (not overly max-out a character). I'm the DM, and one of my players showed interest in making a character with a dexterity of 3, but the only way to do that on DND Beyond would be by using Manual (which I do not know how to use). Any advice would be appreciated.
“Manual” is mostly for when people roll dice to determine their stats. It’s also useful if you’re using a homebrew point buy system that allows for a wider range than the official one.
There are some such point buy systems out there, but I’d advise that you think about them carefully. Higher stats are usually much better than lower stats are bad, so if the system is symmetrical on both sides of 10, it can lead to overpowered characters.
Personally, I’m not much of a fan of that kind of min-maxing except for interesting, legitimate character reasons. If a player wanted a DEX of 3 just so they could push another score higher, I’d just say no. If they want to play someone who uses a wheelchair and is okay with being honest to that, I could be convinced.
1) You will be screwing with them. It's not just Initiative, Armor, Saving Throws, ranged/finesse attacks that will screw them over. It will also include Skill checks. Everyone will call them the clumsy idiot. Do not be surprised if they die dramatically crossing a rope bridge. And that their opponents will all learned the spell Grease.
2) That if they choose to get a Dex of 3, (5 points lower than the minimum point buy), you will only give them a +1 to a stat of their choosing. The difference between a -4 and a -1 in a dump stat is not that big. But a +2 to a prime stat is basically a feat.
3) Also warn them that if their Dex goes below 1 they are paralyzed till it goes up.
The player should be careful because while haing a bad stat can be an interesting concept and create a lot of RP, it could also screw up large encounters and main story plots. While this happens with the standard array I would be careful with allowing this because it could lead to hard encounters and having a huge asset on your hands.
Just having an 8 is enough if you want to RP a clumsy person. Dex of 3 is severely disabled. Like too much to be an adventurer, or even a basic unskilled worker. Just tell them 10 is average and 8 still makes them totally clumsy. Ham it up and say you trip a lot.
Just having an 8 is enough if you want to RP a clumsy person. Dex of 3 is severely disabled. Like too much to be an adventurer, or even a basic unskilled worker. Just tell them 10 is average and 8 still makes them totally clumsy. Ham it up and say you trip a lot.
Don’t agree with this at all...that’s like saying handicapped people can’t have jobs
if hawking were a wizard he would have been >level 20....with a dexterity of 0. And with the powers of a wizard, he propbably could have gotten around just fine as an adventurer (I can think of ways to make many of the classes easily workable with super low dex.)
As explained previously Maunal is when you want to roll for stats. The most common method of rolling for stats is to roll 4d6 and drop the lowest roll, then add up the dice and that is one of your stats. Do that 6 times and then allocate your rolls to the stats you want. Some people do this 7 times and drop the lowest total roll. Some people are even stricter and your first roll is your Str, your second roll is your Dex, etc.
This method would allow for a roll of 3 but you would have to be insanely unlucky? to roll 4 1s.
I've used the Manual method in all of my games, even one-shots. It can be overpowered and it can be a disaster. My Barbarian had 15 Str, 17 Dex, and 17 Con at level 1. Our druid had 5 Str and couldn't carry his own gear so he had to buy a Donkey. He also has no unarmed strike.
The OP hasn't given any indication of what the player wanted for other stats. Using point buy and converting the 8 to a 6 for roll play reasons is fine I would allow themn to base their flaw around it. A dex of 3 is the same as a geletinious cube which I think make it impossible to go adventuring.
Just having an 8 is enough if you want to RP a clumsy person. Dex of 3 is severely disabled. Like too much to be an adventurer, or even a basic unskilled worker. Just tell them 10 is average and 8 still makes them totally clumsy. Ham it up and say you trip a lot.
Don’t agree with this at all...that’s like saying handicapped people can’t have jobs
if hawkings were a wizard he would have been >level 20....with a dexterity of 0. And with the powers of a wizard, he propbably could have gotten around just fine as an adventurer (I can think of ways to make many of the classes easily workable with super low dex.)
its D&D-open your mind.
also, I don’t think low dex = clumsy.
Assuming you're talking about Steven Hawking later in life when he was fully confined to his wheelchair and otherwise unable to move, in D&D terms he'd have had a 0 strength and 0 dex an automatically fail all relevant ability checks, would have had a constitution score of probably 5 at the highest, and would have been unable to speak or move, thus preventing him from casting spells normally. As adventuring stats go, that would have more or less prevented him from doing so.
Of course, in most D&D worlds he'd have probably been able to use magic to cure his condition well before it progressed to that point.
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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.
Is there any specific scenario where it would be better to use Manual instead of Standard Array or Point Buy? Regardless, can anyone explain how to use it? I have no idea how to make it fair (not overly max-out a character). I'm the DM, and one of my players showed interest in making a character with a dexterity of 3, but the only way to do that on DND Beyond would be by using Manual (which I do not know how to use). Any advice would be appreciated.
“Manual” is mostly for when people roll dice to determine their stats. It’s also useful if you’re using a homebrew point buy system that allows for a wider range than the official one.
There are some such point buy systems out there, but I’d advise that you think about them carefully. Higher stats are usually much better than lower stats are bad, so if the system is symmetrical on both sides of 10, it can lead to overpowered characters.
Personally, I’m not much of a fan of that kind of min-maxing except for interesting, legitimate character reasons. If a player wanted a DEX of 3 just so they could push another score higher, I’d just say no. If they want to play someone who uses a wheelchair and is okay with being honest to that, I could be convinced.
I would warn the character the following:
1) You will be screwing with them. It's not just Initiative, Armor, Saving Throws, ranged/finesse attacks that will screw them over. It will also include Skill checks. Everyone will call them the clumsy idiot. Do not be surprised if they die dramatically crossing a rope bridge. And that their opponents will all learned the spell Grease.
2) That if they choose to get a Dex of 3, (5 points lower than the minimum point buy), you will only give them a +1 to a stat of their choosing. The difference between a -4 and a -1 in a dump stat is not that big. But a +2 to a prime stat is basically a feat.
3) Also warn them that if their Dex goes below 1 they are paralyzed till it goes up.
The player should be careful because while haing a bad stat can be an interesting concept and create a lot of RP, it could also screw up large encounters and main story plots. While this happens with the standard array I would be careful with allowing this because it could lead to hard encounters and having a huge asset on your hands.
Just having an 8 is enough if you want to RP a clumsy person. Dex of 3 is severely disabled. Like too much to be an adventurer, or even a basic unskilled worker. Just tell them 10 is average and 8 still makes them totally clumsy. Ham it up and say you trip a lot.
My homebrew subclasses (full list here)
(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm
Don’t agree with this at all...that’s like saying handicapped people can’t have jobs
if hawking were a wizard he would have been >level 20....with a dexterity of 0. And with the powers of a wizard, he propbably could have gotten around just fine as an adventurer (I can think of ways to make many of the classes easily workable with super low dex.)
its D&D-open your mind.
also, I don’t think low dex = clumsy.
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As explained previously Maunal is when you want to roll for stats. The most common method of rolling for stats is to roll 4d6 and drop the lowest roll, then add up the dice and that is one of your stats. Do that 6 times and then allocate your rolls to the stats you want. Some people do this 7 times and drop the lowest total roll. Some people are even stricter and your first roll is your Str, your second roll is your Dex, etc.
This method would allow for a roll of 3 but you would have to be insanely unlucky? to roll 4 1s.
I've used the Manual method in all of my games, even one-shots. It can be overpowered and it can be a disaster. My Barbarian had 15 Str, 17 Dex, and 17 Con at level 1. Our druid had 5 Str and couldn't carry his own gear so he had to buy a Donkey. He also has no unarmed strike.
Is he able to equip heavy armor? Cause I just see this as a power gamer move on the surface not having more details.
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The OP hasn't given any indication of what the player wanted for other stats. Using point buy and converting the 8 to a 6 for roll play reasons is fine I would allow themn to base their flaw around it. A dex of 3 is the same as a geletinious cube which I think make it impossible to go adventuring.
Assuming you're talking about Steven Hawking later in life when he was fully confined to his wheelchair and otherwise unable to move, in D&D terms he'd have had a 0 strength and 0 dex an automatically fail all relevant ability checks, would have had a constitution score of probably 5 at the highest, and would have been unable to speak or move, thus preventing him from casting spells normally. As adventuring stats go, that would have more or less prevented him from doing so.
Of course, in most D&D worlds he'd have probably been able to use magic to cure his condition well before it progressed to that point.
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.
If you roll using a bot, or dice, or a custom point buy system.