For example, does Rise of the Runelords assume 4 pcs with 20 point buys? Thanks in advance.
What I'd REALLY like to see is a set of guidelines for how much each point buy affects character power. Something like 15-20 point buy = normal, 21-25 point buy = +1 CR, 26-30 point buy = +2 CR. (Numbers for example only, I have no idea how high stats have to get before they count as a +1 cr boost).
Creative Director
|
| 4 people marked this as a favorite. |
Point buy can certainly affect character power... but that PALES in comparison to how player experience affects character power, frankly. I know plenty of players who can build a 15 point buy character that'll run circles around a 20 point buy character.
That said, when we build NPCs using the 20 point buy method rather than the standard 15 point buy (which is the standard for NPCs in our adventures and the assumed baseline for PCs as well), we generally DO bump up the NPC's CR by +1... but we also give that NPC PC-level gear as well as part of that CR +1 bump. I'd say that merely giving an NPC a 20 point buy would probably do a half a CR's worth of a bump... and of course, you should ALWAYS compare the final build to table 1–1 in the Bestiary to see whereabouts things end up.
Personally, I prefer using 20 point buy since it does make the PCs a bit better and tougher... and I like to run my campaigns with the odds stacked in the PCs' favor. Since they're in every fight, the randomness of die rolls and the like ends up affecting them more often, and as such, stacking the odds in their favor helps a LOT to offset things like lucky critical hits or bad streaks with die rolling.
The APs are stated to be written for a four player party using 15-point builds. Note that this includes the assumption of a balanced party of single-ability-dependent classes: fighter, rogue, cleric, and wizard.
Most people use 20-point builds since, as JJ notes, it makes character a little more flexible and survivable at low levels and makes the characters actually "heroic". It also allows multiple-ability-dependent classes such as monks which are... challenging... to implement well with only 15 points.
It just dawned on me to look at the character sheets for the iconics in the back of Burnt Offerings; for Valeros: 14 Str, 15 Dex, 12 Con, 13 Int, 8 Wis, 10 Cha. Looks like a 15 point buy to me.
14 - 5
13 - 312 - 2
13 - 3
8 - -2
10 - 0
Closer to 11-13 point buy in the Pathfinder system.
...That said, when we build NPCs using the 20 point buy method rather than the standard 15 point buy (which is the standard for NPCs in our adventures and the assumed baseline for PCs as well), we generally DO bump up the NPC's CR by +1... but we also give that NPC PC-level gear as well as part of that CR +1 bump. I'd say that merely giving an NPC a 20 point buy would probably do a half a CR's worth of a bump... and of course, you should ALWAYS compare the final build to table 1–1 in the Bestiary to see whereabouts things end up.
Personally, I prefer using 20 point buy... [more]...
OK:
Goblin Warrior CR 1/3 3? point buy 86gp (1/3 Basic level 1 NPC gear)Goblin Fighter CR 1/2 15 point buy 195gp (1/2 Heroic level 1 NPC gear)
Goblin fighter CR 1 20 point buy 500gp (Half of level 2 PC wealth)
BTW - Is there any way to find out what other options the devs play with? Are there any articles, videos, or other info? I think it would help me understand the game better, as I come from a more stingy gaming background (low wealth, low abilities, slow advancement).
That said, when we build NPCs using the 20 point buy method rather than the standard 15 point buy (which is the standard for NPCs in our adventures and the assumed baseline for PCs as well), we generally DO bump up the NPC's CR by +1... but we also give that NPC PC-level gear as well as part of that CR +1 bump. I'd say that merely giving an NPC a 20 point buy would probably do a half a CR's worth of a bump... and of course, you should ALWAYS compare the final build to table 1–1 in the Bestiary to see whereabouts things end up.
Do you think a 25-point buy would be worth a +1 CR by itself? What about a 30-point buy?
|
Creative Director
|
That said, when we build NPCs using the 20 point buy method rather than the standard 15 point buy (which is the standard for NPCs in our adventures and the assumed baseline for PCs as well), we generally DO bump up the NPC's CR by +1... but we also give that NPC PC-level gear as well as part of that CR +1 bump. I'd say that merely giving an NPC a 20 point buy would probably do a half a CR's worth of a bump... and of course, you should ALWAYS compare the final build to table 1–1 in the Bestiary to see whereabouts things end up.Do you think a 25-point buy would be worth a +1 CR by itself? What about a 30-point buy?
It would really depend on the way that 25-point or 30-point buy ended up affecting the NPC's stats, honestly. Build the NPC, then compare their core numbers to the values on Table 1–1 of the Bestiary.
That said, when we have an exceptional NPC in an Adventure Path, I generally assign a +1 CR boost when we give them a 25 point buy or PC gear (or both, in some cases).