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I've recently become one of the GMs for my local gaming shop for PFS. I asked to see character sheets of the characters because I like to make sure everything is in order before I start campaigns. Old habit for 3.5, I Suppose you could say.
Understanding that a character is supposed to start at 10 in each stat and has 20 points to spend at character creation, I looked into one of our characters who is playing. He is a cleric who is a necromancer, and I looked at his stats. They seemed off, so I checked his items and he doesn't seem to have items other than an Amulet of Natural Armor +1. Nothing that affects primary stats. His stats read as such (at level 4):
STR 13
DEX 17
CON 13
INT 8
WIS 17
CHA 15
I made the logical assumption that either Dexterity or Wisdom was brought up to 15 and the other to 16. Then, he used the Half-Elf +2 stat boost on one the "15" and used the level 4 stat point on the one that was "16". Even taking that into account, the math seems to indicate he used a 28-point buy system.
At this point, I am assuming his states were bad from the start, and I am wondering what to do concerning this character. Do I void his chronicle sheets because of this, or what do I do to rectify this glaring issue?
Confront him. It's that simple.
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He did over buy his stats.
Inform him of his mistake and ask him change them accordingly. Hopefully it was a simple mistake. I wouldn't let him play that game until his character is fixed.
Next time you come together, check his sheet again to make sure everything is legit. If its not, I wouldn't allow him to play in that day's game or in any game until the problem is rectified.
Excellent GM Discussion question.
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RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32, RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2013 Top 16
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It's possible that he paid (or thought he paid) for a stat-boosting belt/headband, but forgot to mark the purchase. I'd double check his gold to see if there's 4000 missing somewhere. Otherwise, he should probably just change his stats to fit with a 20-point buy and carry on like that from now on.
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So don't do anything concerning chronicle sheets?
No, existing chronicles are already earned and recorded. Address the issue from current and going forward. We all assume the player made an honest mistake in his ability scores. Just let him know that as it stands his PC is not PFS legal and he needs to immediately adjust the scores in order to play. I wouldn't imagine it would only take a few minutes to make the corrections. I would keep an eye on it for a few sessions. Make sure he makes the changes and make sure that he doesn't change them back after you verify. Once you're satisfied it was an honest mistake, move on. If it turns out to be intentional, well, you know what to do. Good luck!
Explore! Report! Cooperate!
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There are no punitive measures listed in the Guide to Organized Play. We just correct the problem and go on. The Chronicle sheets are not invalidated. If you feel it necessary, there is nothing wrong with noting that his stats were fixed on a chronicle, but I would not if it was just an honest mistake. I'd only even consider it if it was a pattern of repeated abuse and I've never run into a situation where I would feel it necessary.
Venture-Captain, Washington—Spokane
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It is probably an oversight on the point buy and was not caught until now. I would just point out the error and give him a week to fix it or the character will be unplayable as it will not be a legal character. As far as the chronicles, voiding them should not be necessary once the error is pointed out to the player. Basically the ability scores are fixed or they are not able to play the character. Also, I do agree with those who posted in the last forum about checking the character sheet after making the player aware of the error as a follow up. I would also recommend taking the player aside when you do this and not point it out in front of the other players.
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Yeah, people mess up stats all the time, especially newbies. I once GM'd for a guy who turned out to have rolled his stats. :/
Had to correct just this thing myself. Sounds like a pretty simple and honest mistake. We should strive to give people the benefit of the doubt and make it as easy as possible to continue playing their favorite characters.
This helps promote good community ties.
