I was wondering, since this seems to be a predominantly old-school group, how many here favor the original 3d6 method of character generation when making PCs in TOEE? The die roll and point buy system both yield about 73 starting points, akin to the 4d6 method most used in PnP today. Maybe it's just me, but I like the 63 point yield from the old 3d6. I know I'm a low-power gamer... I was just wondering how many others here felt the same.
Maybe it's my 2nd ed mentallity showing here, but my first DM allowed 4d6 (drop the lowest) in my first D&D game (some 12 years ago), but then he also allowed us to reroll 1's (if that was also a 1 that gor rerolled until it was something else).
I also like less extraordinary characters, but you've got to account for othjer peoples likes as well. If letting someone have better than normal stats makes them enjoy the game more, and keeps them interested in playing with you, then balance your preference for lower powered characters against an empty chair at your gaming table. If you've got a decent bunch of players, whatever they want to do with the characters is pretty much ok, as long as they aren't creating characters that disrupt balance. The key is to have people playing that aren't munchkins.
The point buy system offered in ToEE is the same one used for "heroic" NPCs (ie any monsters or people with PC class levels), though they standardized it to what they call the "elite array" 15, 14, 13,12,10,8. This standard was implemented in Co8 5.0 for any monsters or NPCs with class levels that weren't unique characters. (NPCs with names kept their stats from the PNP module). So by using the point buy system, you're making your characters on par with their foes.
Personally, I like the 25 point buy in ToEE, or a 50 point buy when I'm in the mood for odd multiclass characters that need higher scores to compete. In tabletop D&D, I started out with the 4d6 system.
I use 4d in pnp d&d with a homerule that you can change your whole score if you don't like it but you have to keep the other one, even if it's worse. In ToEE I just re-roll the outcome till i like it. Can't stand a warrior, cleric, rogue, mage without one 18. BTW we also had a home rule for throwing HP. It said: you can reroll any time when you hit 1, but if you don't like the outcome bigger than one you can reroll once. This time when you hit 1 you have to keep it. (something for the thread about average HP)
well i used a number of diffrent systems for rolling PnP. the most used by my players was roll 3d6 7 times and keep the six highest. course we also allowed for point swaping too. thats what i do pretty much in ToEE i roll untill i get stats that are close to what i want and then move a few points around to get them exactally how i want them
I roll my characters in TOEE. One of my fave's was a 1 hit wonder 18.18.17.16.13.12. I nearly fell off my chair. all that from 1 roll? the dice gods do give lovin sometimes
I just can't play with such high numbers. It feels like cheating to me. I use the point-buy and then edit my chars down once I start.
