I'm just getting ready to DM AP#1 for a group of 5 players using the PFRPG Beta rules and I'm wondering: Given the deadliness of some encounters, how many points should I give the players for their ability scores to ensure that at least some of the characters survive at the end if they play smartly ?
I would go with the Epic distribution.
When I did mine, I actually had the players use a different system then laid out in the rules -that actually resulted in higher stats then the epic spread- and they are still having problems.
You will find that a bigger issue with the deadliness of the AP is the relative scarcity of player useful magic items.
I originally told the players to use 15 points since the party has more than the usual 4 players and I am using the PFRPG Beta, but I was afraid that it might not be enough. Guess they will be happy to know their characters are about to get a tad stronger. Thanks for helping!
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I had my players to the PFRPG 20-point buy.
Just about to finish Burnt Offerings and no one is dead yet, but every week at least one character has been extremely close to dead. If not for the extra 6hp boost, I'd have at least two dead party members so far and possibly up to four... it's been somewhat uncanny.
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Have things changed in the Anniversary Edition?
Just for the background, I haven't played the original game. I've played the first two scenario's adapted for PFS with my PFS character (i.e. 20pt build, no leveling during the scenario, unbalanced party) and found them difficult. I'm planning to run the AE in a couple of months.
I'd be interested to know what kind of party strength the designers had in mind when they revised this game.
APs assume a 4-character party and a 15-point buy.
Pretty much what Haladir said! I'd also direct you to Erik's post here
I'm running the Anniversary edition and my 4/5 players are doing really well at 15 point buy. Don't ask me how, I've tried to kill them horribly at every corner.
AP assume a PB of 20 not 15.
By assuming that a group consists of four 15-point characters played by players with average skills, we can achieve a baseline that remains the same for each AP and thus makes it easier for each GM to adapt.
From that thread I linked. PFS on the other hand is strictly 20-point buy, the reasons for which... I don't know. I'm sure they've been stated somewhere :D
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We build Adventure Paths for 4 players with characters built on the 15 point buy.
A 20 point buy, though, really doesn't make characters THAT much more powerful... it certainly doesn't come close to the power increase you'll get if all your players are really experienced at playing the game and have played together a lot.
If you've got a new group who's never played together and/or hasn't played the game that much, going with 20 point buy is actually a great idea.
We build Adventure Paths for 4 players with characters built on the 15 point buy.
A 20 point buy, though, really doesn't make characters THAT much more powerful... it certainly doesn't come close to the power increase you'll get if all your players are really experienced at playing the game and have played together a lot.
If you've got a new group who's never played together and/or hasn't played the game that much, going with 20 point buy is actually a great idea.
Well said. We've always used 20 point buys because it gives the characters a little more flexibility in builds and let's them feel a little more heroic... and really, is having one attribute be a 16 instead of a 14 going to break the game?
One a side note, I want to meet the party of four with 15 point builds who run THIS gauntlet without some deaths... and deaths are rarely fun for anyone in my experience.