I thought I'd report to the pazio community our group's attempt at combining the three topics. We wanted to be able to play monsterous races, but some of us wanted to play standard races, and we were going to start at level 5. The DM decided to allow 60 points between race points, attribute points, and level points, with no value being above 30 overall points (no more than 30 race points, 30 attribute buy, or 6th level). We do have powergamers at the table, so we'll see how this works out. Does anyone else have a similar buy system that they've tried with success?
The group I'm in, who's starting our first official PF campaign this coming weekend (all but one of us are familiar with 3.5, and played regularly), is angling towards a high-powered campaign, with a homebrew method of stat rolling. Our GM had us roll three sets of 4d6-drop-lowest stats, picking the best set. He's allowed us 20 points on the race creator to make our own race, the only barrier being we can't choose monstrous traits. Normal and Advanced are fine. After bonuses are applied to our stats, we also have 10 "discretionary points" to apply to our stats, with the rule that we can't apply more than 3 to any one stat; otherwise, it's at a 1-for-1 conversion: if you apply 3 points to a stat, you get 3 points in that stat.
It typically means we're starting off with 2nd level characters (our beginning level) with scores in the low to mid 20s depending on how well we rolled (I wound up with 3 17s in my rolling).
Wow. Just... wow. I thought I ran a high-powered campaign, but compared to this mine is low-magic e6. With a homebrew system like this, I can see why you're not satisfied with point buy.
I thought I'd report to the pazio community our group's attempt at combining the three topics. We wanted to be able to play monsterous races, but some of us wanted to play standard races, and we were going to start at level 5. The DM decided to allow 60 points between race points, attribute points, and level points, with no value being above 30 overall points (no more than 30 race points, 30 attribute buy, or 6th level). We do have powergamers at the table, so we'll see how this works out. Does anyone else have a similar buy system that they've tried with success?
The closest I come to the method you use is granting 1 Race Point (RP) every even level that players may spend on racial traits from a pre-defined list (I constructed one for each of the races in my setting) to improve their race as they level. We've been using it since the ARG came out and it has actually increased race diversity in the games, as well as given the players a feeling of customization, and thus, more attachment to their characters.
I'd be interested in hearing how your system works, with a little more detail, if possible. To be more specific, as I'm working on several of my own projects, could you please provide me 2-3 characters generated with this? Just the attributes, race trait selections, and level? I do not need attack/damage values, just the skeleton, so to speak.
Edited; additions in bold.
I missed your post Da'ath, I'll post when I get a chance. We had TPK last weekend, so gathering the remains shouldn't be a problem.
Combining race points and point buy could be a good idea, but i think levels should be out of this. Starting at level 6 in a party of level 1-2 can be pretty umbalancing.
*Casts resurrection on thread*
Da'ath:
Tater
1/2 orc
6th level fighter
str: 18
Dex: 12
Con: 18
Int: 7
Wis: 10
Cha: 8
AC: 21
Catch off guard
weapon Specialization
Weapon Focus
Power Attack
Cleave
Great Cleave
skills: professional cook, ride
Was a flaming frying pan wielding fighter, who could cook.
Nyx:
6th level drow rogue/ 6 rake
str: 12
dex: 16
con: 12
int: 13
wis: 11
cha: 14
AC: 26
Combat expertise
weapon finesse
improved feint
evasion
uncanny dodge
bleeding attack
skills intimidate and bluff