I like to be totally fair and use the point buy system. As my modules are(so my player tell me)on the whole well though out and much detail is given (were appropriate) to NPC tactics, I tend to be generous in terms of points. I normally allow a 32 point buy system. From what I have read in the Module (this is my third read through it) the NPC's are hard core. Perhapes 35 points for this one?
What if any is the overall consensus amongst the players, the play testers and designers on this issue? Did the PC used by the play testers have high scores?
I have 3 players and used the 25 point buy method. So far we had only one character death, and the PC's are doing fine. I occasionally reward players with an extra ability point, based on what ability they used in a creative or exceptional manner. I feel 32 or even 35 points tend to create characters with only above average ability scores. And if you ask me, those become boring pretty soon.
I allowed my player's to roll up two sets of stats with the 4D6-and-remove-the-lowest method. This generated an average of 70 - 75 stat points per character.
There are four party members + one NPC and only 2/3 of the way through Life's Bizarre there has been one death and four near misses.
I'm trying to play the module as tough as I possibly can - ie, making certain the tactics work just as the SC book or MM say. So this role-em-up method worked for us.