Streamlining ans simplifying character creation : [2 / 5] Abilities Scores


Homebrew and House Rules


Inspired by pf2 playtest

1) Start with all abilities at 10
2) Add your racial modifiers
3) Add a background. A background is
- Choose between two +2 ability modifier
- Gain automatically 1 rank per level to a background skill (pf unchained) that you choose between the 2 of your background. (Example background : "Rural : +2 WIS or +2 CON, 1 rank/level in Handle Animal or Knowledge(Geography)"). I have 8 default background + you could make some for each campaign (like campaign traits).
4) Choose 4 different ability scores. Add +2 to them.
5) Choose 2 different ability scores. Add +2 to them.

Example :

Elf Ranger :

1) STR 10, DEX 10, CON 10, INT 10, WIS 10, CHA 10
2) STR 10, DEX 12, CON 8, INT 12, WIS 10, CHA 10
3) Rural Background : +2 CON; STR 10, DEX 12, CON 10, INT 12, WIS 10, CHA 10
4) +2 to DEX, CON, WIS; STR 10, DEX 14, CON 12, INT 12, WIS 12, CHA 10
5) +2 to DEX, WIS; STR 10, DEX 16, CON 12, INT 12, WIS 14, CHA 10

It's quicker to explain than how to calculate point-buy, for a beginner, it limits minmaxing (as minimal score is 8 and maximum is 18, but only one).

What do you think about ?


I'm not sure if this helps or not. It sets a precedent for the new player that "this is the way things are done". Which could lead to an argument down the road when they are tasked to create a character the "normal" way.

If you're just trying to save time, let the players pick from a bunch of pre-generated characters with the bits you want them to choose not selected yet. In general, a new player isn't going to be offended by playing a pre-generated character and it allows you (the DM) to control min-maxing, hp levels, etc.

The new player is still learning the system and pre-gens give them a chance to see what a "properly built" character looks like.


LordKailas wrote:

I'm not sure if this helps or not. It sets a precedent for the new player that "this is the way things are done". Which could lead to an argument down the road when they are tasked to create a character the "normal" way.

If you're just trying to save time, let the players pick from a bunch of pre-generated characters with the bits you want them to choose not selected yet. In general, a new player isn't going to be offended by playing a pre-generated character and it allows you (the DM) to control min-maxing, hp levels, etc.

The new player is still learning the system and pre-gens give them a chance to see what a "properly built" character looks like.

Thanks for your answer but please review it from a mechanical point of view, not the intent.

As if it was "alternate creation rules".

The players that play with me only play with me, there is nom other PF gm here, and they are very casual and we only play once in a while, one shots with pregen, but I'd like them being able to create characters quickly and easily.
Please don't reply to this, just the mechanical side of things :)


mekka2000 wrote:
LordKailas wrote:

I'm not sure if this helps or not. It sets a precedent for the new player that "this is the way things are done". Which could lead to an argument down the road when they are tasked to create a character the "normal" way.

If you're just trying to save time, let the players pick from a bunch of pre-generated characters with the bits you want them to choose not selected yet. In general, a new player isn't going to be offended by playing a pre-generated character and it allows you (the DM) to control min-maxing, hp levels, etc.

The new player is still learning the system and pre-gens give them a chance to see what a "properly built" character looks like.

Thanks for your answer but please review it from a mechanical point of view, not the intent.

As if it was "alternate creation rules".

The players that play with me only play with me, there is nom other PF gm here, and they are very casual and we only play once in a while, one shots with pregen, but I'd like them being able to create characters quickly and easily.
Please don't reply to this, just the mechanical side of things :)

Ah, I see. No worries :)

I was keying off of the "beginner" statement and was assuming this was a learning game of sorts.

I think I would drop the word different from steps 4 and 5. Until I looked at the example I read them and thought "so.... I just get +2 to every stat?" Since it wasn't apparent to me that you could pick the same stats you picked in step 4, in step 5.

Otherwise, it seems fine. Without counting race you are guaranteed getting a +7 mod on your total stats, which can be a challenge even with some rolling systems and it certainly comes across as less painful than point buy which heavily penalizes you for having more than one high stat.


Thanks for your new replies in all topics !


Even simpler you could offer a choice or 4 or so stat arrays that meet these limits. This would remove some agency on the player's part however.

I like the background choice impacting attributes and skills as you have here.

Community / Forums / Pathfinder / Pathfinder First Edition / Homebrew and House Rules / Streamlining ans simplifying character creation : [2 / 5] Abilities Scores All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.
Recent threads in Homebrew and House Rules