A house rule I am using now is the Prime Swap. Perhaps I can let Prodder and Scrunt explain this approach:
Prime Swap: After rolling (3d6 or 4d6-L) six times and recording the results In Order, the player can swap the character's Prime Ability with any other ability score. So FM can swap for STR, M-U can swap for INT, C can swap for WIS. Dwarves can choose STR or CON. Elves can choose STR or INT. Hobbits can choose STR or DEX. Option: Characters generated without the Prime Swap [start at 2nd level/start with maximum hits] insert your own bonus here.
This solution allows the player to generate the class he or she desires while maintaining most of the randomness realized with an In Order approach. I am not considering the optional point-buy system presented in OD&D because I adhere to the “for purposes of gaining experience only” caveat.
~Sham
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Warping Minds since Leap Day '08
Followers
About Me
- Sham aka Dave
- Grognardistan
- East Coast Gamer. One time Rabble-Rouser. Self styled D&D Grognard. God fearing Father of two. Happily married Man of many, many interests, too many to list. OK, really just D&D and ...Well, that's it really. D&D.
Warping Minds since Leap Day '08
Sham's OD&D Stuff
- The Art of Delving
- Lost Heroes of the Bleak Beyond
- Monster Business
- Bleak Beyond Bestiary
- Bleak Beyond Random Monsters
- d6 Dungeon Rooms
- 100 NPC Types
- d00 Stairways
- Dungeon Treasure Maps
- Dismal Depths 1A
- Dismal Depths 1B
- Dismal Depths 1C
- Dismal Depths 1D
- Dismal Depths Traps Tables
- Revised Magic Swords Determination
- Time in the Game
- Treasure Tables
- w/o WALLS
- w/o WALLS Fill-in Template
- w/o WALLS Level Example
- Sham's OPD Template
- Example OPD
- Sham's Solstice Tiddlywiki
ODDs and Ends
Linkage
Labels
- 3d6 (6)
- anecdotal (7)
- arneson (7)
- bleak beyond (7)
- chapter one (1)
- cover to cover (44)
- dice (5)
- dim expanse (19)
- dismal depths (27)
- empty room (8)
- friday flashback (35)
- gary (4)
- genre (36)
- Get Well Steve (1)
- junk (9)
- Lair of Sham (1)
- leap year (1)
- links (26)
- maps (8)
- meetup (1)
- mmo (4)
- mt. rushmore (3)
- no future (5)
- no label (10)
- ODD Bits (6)
- old school (88)
- one page (4)
- philosophy (35)
- preview (30)
- prodder and scrunt (1)
- project x (8)
- retread (2)
- review (3)
- sessions (5)
- sixth table (3)
- solstice (48)
- thanks (1)
- theory (38)
- thief (4)
- three-headed monster (3)
- what price glory (8)
- whimsey (14)
- why? (6)
- zines (3)
10 comments:
Excellent! Prodder & Scrunt should do all your posts from now on. At least during the alphabetical terror that is April.
It may say the referee rolls the dice, but it also strongly implies that players select their characters from a field of pre-gens.
'Prior to the character selection by players...' (M&M p.10)
And desired character considerations prior to their generation is also sanctioned.
'Before they begin, players must decide what role they will play in the campaign, human or otherwise, fighter, cleric or magic-user.' (M&M p.6)
Should have mentioned that I am of a mind to allow re-rolls of each score once. But the re-roll is the new score, even (especially) if it is lower. So once the score is up into the 8-9 range, the risk of rolling lower is palpable enough to deter re-rolls. It will usually eliminate those exceptionally low scores, but not always, without too much score inflation.
I've used countless ability score approaches in the past. I still use 3d6 in order but allow the player to roll a stat block of 10 characters. Those are his strings until all 10 have died or retired. I now allow that Prime Swap as well.
I like your re-roll option. Risk/Reward is nice and adds some tension to the normal 3d6 six times convention.
I like this idea - it preserves the spirit of 3d6 in order but gives a nod to pragmatism.
When we started a new campaign last year, 3d6 in order made perfect sense for the crew, but once guys started to die and they needed replacements, players set out to make a fighter replacement, or a cleric replacements... the prime swap let's you roll once and done.
For my current LL campaign, I'm doing straight 3d6 in order, but with the option to trade two-for-one into the prime requisite for your chosen class (must meet minimums with the initial rolls) and into constitution.
This allows players to feel like they have a specific strength they can play to for their character, and also compensates for low rolls in CON significantly reducing survivability, but not without major trade-offs. Since I'm making the players roll for recruitment of retainers, they're even hesitant about pulling a number of points from CHA as in some cases a matter of a single point on the roll has made the difference in having an extra party member around to back you up.
More class selection freedom without stat inflation? That's unpossible!
Ha, ha. Good stuff, but like the hapless player I reckon I will stick to 4d6, drop the lowest, arrange to taste (at least for AD&D). :D
That's exactly the house rule I used when starting my campaign. It did tend to grant more exceptional abilities. So most of my MUs ended up with extra spells.
But it was nice for them to get to choose.
The old guard has exploded from just a handful of us to some unknown number now probably eclipsing one hundred. I no longer try to keep up with all of it. It's overwhelming and I am happy to say that is a very good thing.
Compare Electric Rates
Compare electric rates Texas
Commercial Texas electric rates
Compare electric TX
Compare Electric Rates
Texas Electric Rates
Texas Electric Company
Power to Choose
Compare Electric Plans
Texas Electric Choice
Compare Electric Rates
Commercial Electric Rates Texas
Compare electric plans Texas
Power to choose commercial
Commercial Electric Plans Texas
If you're trying hard to lose weight then you certainly have to get on this brand new tailor-made keto plan.
To produce this keto diet service, certified nutritionists, personal trainers, and cooks united to develop keto meal plans that are useful, convenient, economically-efficient, and delightful.
From their launch in early 2019, thousands of people have already completely transformed their body and well-being with the benefits a great keto plan can offer.
Speaking of benefits: clicking this link, you'll discover eight scientifically-certified ones offered by the keto plan.
Post a Comment