abk108 wrote:I still think, despite what people said in other threads, that some funnel-thing ought to keep going even after 1st level. Therefore I kinda like the idea of that unplayable woodcutter... sooner or later, he'll be overwhelmed by its flaws, and die. Roll up a new PC.
...then again if he was NOT overwhelmed and survived I suspect that would become one of the
most memorable characters that player had ever had!
That's my opinion too but in fairness some people are just plain put off by Low stat characters. They find it hard and unenjoyable to try and play them. That is a genuine problem. No DM wants to alienate potential players and no game system does either.
My wife is a good example of this. She has a preference to play Fighters or Rogues as she doesn't usually like the added hassle of keeping track of a spell list. But one thing she absolutely digs her heels in and refuses to play is a stupid character IE one with a below Average Int score. Its a fair observation I think. Trying to
"play stupid" robs the game of enjoyment for her regardless of class.
Off hand I can think on No
Appendix N hero that was dumb so she has
the source on her side too LOL!
I'm toying as a result with allowing players to use
6d3 to roll their Characters INT Stat from here on out to compensate for this as a result. But this might also limit the occasional 15+ Ints that make for good Wizards so.... Sigh!
I like
Tortog's package deal of a couple of d3's to represent the improvement to a classes cardinal Stats gained after doing the training for that class from 0 to 1st level. But it does not to my mind go far enough. I am definitely also in favor of a Stat increase or two as time goes by to reflect the further honing of a Characters mind and body as they survive the rigors of the adventuring life.
Would combining his and
Finarvyns proposal be too much do you think? EG:-
1)Character rolls up a Noob at 0 level using 3d6 in order for all characteristics.
1a)Player may re roll ONE attribute if they choose but MUST take the second roll regardless of weather its an improvement or not. (This allows the dumb bunnies or weak duded from laboring backgrounds to get a second chance to look realistic propositions)
2) Upon selecting a class at 1st level they get two d3's to assign to two separate characteristics that they can argue to the DM are class requirements. This represent their Graduate training etc in that class and is a class feature.
3) Upon gaining 3rd level they get to re roll one characteristic. if they score OVER it they can increase it by one point. This reflects their Post Graduate training and the school of hard knocks. Rince and repeat a few levels later if you like as well.
4) No attribute can be raised above 18 by any of the above. Also perhaps a rule could be enforced that a character must even out at least One of their flawed Stats before going hell for leather on maxing out their super stat. I include this last as I can see a few players trying to ignore poor stats in the rush to be "uber" in one particular area. That doesn't reflect real life as a rule. Flaws either kill you or you do something about them ASAP before you set about supercharging one aspect of yourself!
Lastly and blatantly self indulgent here. May I publicly thank my good lady wife for going outside her comfort zone and playing a New Style Cleric (Adela the Grey Sister) in our Play-test campaign here in Atlanta. Adela was rolled with entirely average Stats you see folks. Nothing below a 9 and nothing over a 12, totally average across the board and
as a result colorless. She neither had
a flaw or a strong point for the missuss' to fasten her imagination upon to start the process of character development.
This is the thing about extreme Stats (and I argue its true for good or bad ones) they give you the building block for a character concept. But Miss Average here? That was tough, but great story teller that she is my good lady made that very averageness into a character feature. Dressed in Grey and hooded like a prophetess Adela fades in and out of the background like a wraith offering cryptic advice and staunchly healing non neutral characters in Turn only! (Heal the Chaot? Sure but they will not be healed again till she has ministered to a Lawful! get more Neutral than that I dare ya!)
Rather than being bland she comes over like Morticia Adams and is the most unusual cleric I have seen in years! +d24!