Attribute Generation
Generating Attribute Scores
When a Character is created, Base Attribute Scores must be generated for them, prior to any modifications by Race, Age or other modifiers. There are several options for this - though a DM is free to simply set a Character's attributes to whatever they wish.
Rolled Stats
The default is to roll 3d6 six times to create an attribute array though how each attribute is determined from this varies.
Standard – Player assigns each score to an attribute of their choice.
Natural – Player decides what attribute score they are rolling before they roll the dice.
Strong – Player rolls 4d6 and drops the worst number, leading to a bias of stronger characters.
Weak – Player rolls 4d6 and drops the best number, leading to a bias of weaker characters.
Flexible – Player may move up to three points of attributes around before applying Racial Bonuses and Penalties. They cannot put attributes above 18 or below 3. If an Attribute can be Exceptional it is rolled when 18 is received and may not be raised above 18/00.
Focused – Player gains three bonus points of attribute that can be spent on any attributes. They cannot put attributes above 18 or below 3. If an Attribute can be Exceptional it is rolled when 18 is received and may not be raised above 18/00.
These can be mixed and matched – for instance, a DM might allow for Strong, Natural and Focused characters – the players roll 4d6, take the best and get to spend bonus points on each attribute but must take which attribute is given at the time of rolling.
Traditional Adventures - Though not a rule, the preference for Traditional Adventures is Natural Rolls.
Heroic Adventures - Though not a rule, the preference for Heroic Adventures is Standard and Flexible. Strong is often commonly used.
Epic Adventures - Though not a rule, the preference for Epic Adventures is Standard, Strong, Flexible and Focused. This allows characters to be quite developed on creation.
Stat Array
Instead of rolling, they may use a standard stat array to generate attribute scores, typically dependent on the Adventure Style. The DM may allow for Flexible and Focused characters when using these, as above.
These depend on the type of game used. The more extreme the game style, the greater the extremes of characters. It is up to the DM which Arrays they permit - a Traditional Game may still permit Epic characters due to the presence of lower attribute scores mixed in. These are designed to allow a character to be significantly good at a few things but create space for vulnerabilities.
Traditional Adventures - The Stat Array is as follows: 18, 15, 13, 12, 12, 8
Heroic Adventures - The Stat Array is as follows: 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8
Epic Adventures - The Stat Array is as follows: 18, 17, 16, 13, 8, 6
Point Buy
Another possibility is Point Buy. To build a character, the player has 78 points at their disposal to build their attribute scores and may spend these as they like, providing no Attribute goes above 18/00 or below 3.
If a character purchases an Exceptional Attribute using Point Buy, Attributed Points gained from level or uses Focused or Flexible rules, it costs 1 point to move that Attribute up to the upper limit of the next step (18 to 18/50 to 18/75 to 18/90 to 18/99 to 18/00 to 19). If a character has an Exceptional Attribute Score below that level's maximum, it is considered at the maximum for purpose of increasing it.
