Point Buy

[Calden]

Hi,

I've been looking in the DM seeking Players section recently and noticed quite a few games that to create stats you need to use the points buy system instead of rolling. This is the first time I've heard of this, admittedly I'm not the most experienced D&D player so there are a lot of things I've not heard of lol.

Could somebody please explain how this works.

Thanks

[bulbaquil]

Point buy is a character creation method, but the details are not OGL (so can't be posted here) and IIRC the system is in the DMG rather than the PHB, so if you're operating only from the PHB you won't have that.

[Admin Sedracus]

It's indeed in the DMG rather than the PHB (and SRD), and Bulbaquil is right about it not being OGL and the rules on that.

[WoLT]

While it is illegal to post the documents, it is legal under fair use to use the information to make a derivative work, coding being a valid artform within US law and backed by the US National Endowment for the Arts, which extends specifically into gaming purposes as of May 2011. (this was a major legal decision I followed closely as I have vested interest into the implications).

Point buy calculators (art) are freely available all over the net for the asking. This is one such calculator: http://tools.digitalightbulb.com/pbcalc.html

It works for both pathfinder and D&D.

Enjoy!

[jj_wolven]

If it is Pathfinder, the Point Buy system IS OGL.
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/basics-abili...acter-creation

Keep in mind that this is different from the 3.5 point buy.

-me

[Alexander The 1st]

Where exactly would we buy the DMG?

[SpatulaOdoom]

Anywhere that sells Dungeons and Dragons books. Having been out of print for a while you'll probably need to pick them up used. You can also purchase PDF's on RPGNow or other similar sites. PDF's will almost certainly be cheaper but I've always found owning the physical dead tree version somehow satisfying.

[ifdesign]

I've been playing D&D 3.5 for almost ten years and have never used the point-buy system. Although i understand that its pretty useful, especially for ensuring a balance of players. Thanks for the heads up. Looks like I'll be pulling out my books.

[Frostburn]

Point buy's pretty good if you want to "average out" your party. If you're the unlucky bastard who rolls all 8s and 6s you might want to consider that system instead.

Personally, I'm a fan of the "estimate" system. That is, you estimate what strengths your character has and 18 or 16 on that then average out the rest. Of course, you'd have to be a DM with an iron fist or your campaign'll be crawling with Mary and Micky Sues more than you can stomach.

[Akecalo]

I don't know what edition you are using, but in 4e the point buy system can be found on page 17 of the PHB.