I'd suggest not tying ability score increases to either race or background (especially since you can customize the background anyway).
Instead, just include it when generating the character's ability scores themselves (+2/+1 or +1/+1/+1). The justification can be along the lines of:
"You're playing a hero, someone who is a cut above the rest. To reflect this, they have strengths in different areas represented by ability score increases. Increase one ability by +2 and another by +1. Alternatively, increase any 3 abilities by +1. In any case, no ability score can be increased higher than 20 by either method."
Tying these bonuses to just the ability score generation step can also allow for different levels of play, e.g.:
Honestly, I feel like if they want to go with the Choose Race, Choose Background, Choose X (where X is currently language) order of things, It would be better to make X Ability Score Increases than it would be Language, and just throw the 2nd language choice in with the one that background already provides you.
The backgrounds in the playtest are only examples, they aren't there to be static limitations, since as you mention you can customize them anyway, I'd say the backgrounds seen are more a template that people can use and that is it. So it's not really an issue, you can create your own background entirely from scratch and say it gives you a +2 Dex and a +1 to Con while also giving you the Magic Initiate (Divine) feat. Nothing stops that.
My thought is to just get rid of them. Just build it into the standard array and point buy, and say that if you roll, you don't get anything, since rolling is just taking your chances anyway.
Do you think that a model of "ability scores plus bonuses" is better than simply making ability scores higher and not using bonuses during character creation?
Current rules you can choose between three methods of generating ability scores: - Roll 4d6 drop the lowest then add racial bonuses - Standard Array 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8 then add racial bonuses - Point Buy with 27 points then add racial bonuses
Without bothering to do all the math right now, they could simply make those into something like: - Roll: 5d6 drop the lowest - Standard Array: 17, 15, 13, 12, 10, 8 - Point Buy: 30 points (adjust the point costs to be equivalent to the other methods)
Once we leave the model of "Dwarves are strong, so if you want to be strong play a Dwarf", splitting attribute generation into two stages seems unnecessarily complicated. Just generate your scores, make your other choices (ancestry, background, class) and describe your character. Feel free to say your Dwarven Fighter is strong because he's a Dwarf (ancestry), because he's a blacksmith (background), because he's trained to fight (class), or for whatever other reasons you come up with.
It could technically work, but when rolling for stats you can end up well above the stated attribute cap. If you're fine with that it should work well enough I guess.
Do you think that a model of "ability scores plus bonuses" is better than simply making ability scores higher and not using bonuses during character creation?
Current rules you can choose between three methods of generating ability scores: - Roll 4d6 drop the lowest then add racial bonuses - Standard Array 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8 then add racial bonuses - Point Buy with 27 points then add racial bonuses
Without bothering to do all the math right now, they could simply make those into something like: - Roll: 5d6 drop the lowest - Standard Array: 17, 15, 13, 12, 10, 8 - Point Buy: 30 points (adjust the point costs to be equivalent to the other methods)
5d6 drop lowest would be highly broken, the average ability score would be over 15 (maybe even over 16, not in right mind to do the maths right now). I think you mean drop lowest two?
Do you think that a model of "ability scores plus bonuses" is better than simply making ability scores higher and not using bonuses during character creation?
Current rules you can choose between three methods of generating ability scores: - Roll 4d6 drop the lowest then add racial bonuses - Standard Array 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8 then add racial bonuses - Point Buy with 27 points then add racial bonuses
Without bothering to do all the math right now, they could simply make those into something like: - Roll: 5d6 drop the lowest - Standard Array: 17, 15, 13, 12, 10, 8 - Point Buy: 30 points (adjust the point costs to be equivalent to the other methods)
(...)
I said something similar in the survey. If the bonuses to ability scores can be fully customized no matter the race or background, why not simply suggest two standard arrays that take into account the bonus options (+2/+1 or +1/+1/+1) and bump point buy accordingly? For those that roll dice (4d6 drop lowest), mention they get these two customizing options there, in the Ability Scores section of the PHB.
Tying them to background is just an illusory choice. Your choice of background makes ultimately no difference.
I use the Dungeon Dudes expanded array. I will continue to let people build their characters that way. I will also allow them 3 +1s, or +2 and a +1 to put anywhere they want. As far as backgrounds, I am not too interested in them accept as a little flavor anyway. As I read through the UA, I wanted to like it. But honestly, I am not to enthused. I sat down and made a few characters, and I am left with a feeling none of them were special.
Essentially to me, it is like deciding whether you are medium or small, choosing a background, and then making up a description to wrap around an almost generic character.
Great start to the playtesting, thank you!
I'd suggest not tying ability score increases to either race or background (especially since you can customize the background anyway).
Instead, just include it when generating the character's ability scores themselves (+2/+1 or +1/+1/+1). The justification can be along the lines of:
"You're playing a hero, someone who is a cut above the rest. To reflect this, they have strengths in different areas represented by ability score increases. Increase one ability by +2 and another by +1. Alternatively, increase any 3 abilities by +1. In any case, no ability score can be increased higher than 20 by either method."
Tying these bonuses to just the ability score generation step can also allow for different levels of play, e.g.:
Gritty: No bonuses at all.
Standard: +2/+1 or +1/+1/+1
High Fantasy/Heroic: +2/+2/+1
Thanks!
The Marchivist
Honestly, I feel like if they want to go with the Choose Race, Choose Background, Choose X (where X is currently language) order of things, It would be better to make X Ability Score Increases than it would be Language, and just throw the 2nd language choice in with the one that background already provides you.
The backgrounds in the playtest are only examples, they aren't there to be static limitations, since as you mention you can customize them anyway, I'd say the backgrounds seen are more a template that people can use and that is it. So it's not really an issue, you can create your own background entirely from scratch and say it gives you a +2 Dex and a +1 to Con while also giving you the Magic Initiate (Divine) feat. Nothing stops that.
While it makes sense to separate the ability score increases from the backgrounds and races entirely, it makes no functional difference.
My thought is to just get rid of them. Just build it into the standard array and point buy, and say that if you roll, you don't get anything, since rolling is just taking your chances anyway.
Do you think that a model of "ability scores plus bonuses" is better than simply making ability scores higher and not using bonuses during character creation?
Current rules you can choose between three methods of generating ability scores:
- Roll 4d6 drop the lowest then add racial bonuses
- Standard Array 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8 then add racial bonuses
- Point Buy with 27 points then add racial bonuses
Without bothering to do all the math right now, they could simply make those into something like:
- Roll: 5d6 drop the lowest
- Standard Array: 17, 15, 13, 12, 10, 8
- Point Buy: 30 points (adjust the point costs to be equivalent to the other methods)
Once we leave the model of "Dwarves are strong, so if you want to be strong play a Dwarf", splitting attribute generation into two stages seems unnecessarily complicated. Just generate your scores, make your other choices (ancestry, background, class) and describe your character. Feel free to say your Dwarven Fighter is strong because he's a Dwarf (ancestry), because he's a blacksmith (background), because he's trained to fight (class), or for whatever other reasons you come up with.
It could technically work, but when rolling for stats you can end up well above the stated attribute cap. If you're fine with that it should work well enough I guess.
5d6 drop lowest would be highly broken, the average ability score would be over 15 (maybe even over 16, not in right mind to do the maths right now). I think you mean drop lowest two?
I said something similar in the survey. If the bonuses to ability scores can be fully customized no matter the race or background, why not simply suggest two standard arrays that take into account the bonus options (+2/+1 or +1/+1/+1) and bump point buy accordingly? For those that roll dice (4d6 drop lowest), mention they get these two customizing options there, in the Ability Scores section of the PHB.
Tying them to background is just an illusory choice. Your choice of background makes ultimately no difference.
My Homebrew: Magic Items | Monsters | Spells | Subclasses | My house rules
Currently playing: Fai'zal - CN Githyanki Rogue (Candlekeep Mysteries, Forgotten Realms) ; Zeena - LN Elf Sorcerer (Dragonlance)
Playing D&D since 1st edition. DMs Guild Author: B.A. Morrier (4-5⭐products! Please check them out.) Twitter: @benmorrier he/him
I use the Dungeon Dudes expanded array. I will continue to let people build their characters that way. I will also allow them 3 +1s, or +2 and a +1 to put anywhere they want. As far as backgrounds, I am not too interested in them accept as a little flavor anyway. As I read through the UA, I wanted to like it. But honestly, I am not to enthused. I sat down and made a few characters, and I am left with a feeling none of them were special.
Essentially to me, it is like deciding whether you are medium or small, choosing a background, and then making up a description to wrap around an almost generic character.
My idea is to remove Stat Bonus from Race and background and just add the stat bonus when you determine your stats.
After selecting a method to determine your stats you can add either +1 to three stats or +1 to one stat and +2 to another.
Not all Orcs are strong and beefy (+2/+1 Str and Con) and not all Acolytes are brainy (+2 / +1 Int and Wis)