All AP's operate on the assumption that the PC's are built using 15 point buy.
All AP's operate on the assumption that the PC's are built using 15 point buy.
Sweet, thanks Irnk.
Normally we run 20 or 25, and in the case of 20 have some other modifiers to up the power a little. As I said though, that's compensated for by throwing some mean stuff at them. They do still tend to steamroll encounters, but that's due to decent tactics (or in the case of the other GM, because he hasn't read the encounter properly and completely missed certain abilities and reinforcements for enemies, like when he didn't bother to look up what an Atomie is and ran it as an elf instead of the little flying Reduce Person casting bastard that it is).
This time around though I want them to feel like they're in real danger before they hit the moment of Ascension. I'll pull punches as necessary to get them there, but I still want them to think death is a possibility. I think it'll make for a more awe inspiring scene when they realise their new powers.
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I tend to give the players 20 points anyway, because it unlocks some mental barriers for playing the more MAD classes. At the same time I cap ruthless stat dumping to one attribute at a minimum of 8 and two attributes at a maximum of 16, so that the additional points are not spent too recklessly.
I tend to give the players 20 points anyway, because it unlocks some mental barriers for playing the more MAD classes. At the same time I cap ruthless stat dumping to one attribute at a minimum of 8 and two attributes at a maximum of 16, so that the additional points are not spent too recklessly.
I do something similar, but *after* racial bonus, one stat 8 or greater, all others 10 or greater which doesn't kill the 18 but then limits all the others.
-- david
I actually had my players build their proposed characters first with 20 point buy then with 15. Even I was surprised with how little it changes the scores. Generally what I saw was one stat point coming off their main stat and a few off constitution.
I can say that at 15 point buy there have been some harrowing parts, but nothing they couldn't handle so far. Another five points wouldn't have made a huge difference maybe, but not having to adjust every encounter has been pretty nice for me.
Also our party is pretty 'MAD' as it is. We have a melee cleric, a melee paladin, a ranged monk (I am using talented monk from SGG), and a summoner...all of who have been useful and effective so far.
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Oh, I agree that in the long run the 5 points don't make as much of a difference than many think they do and that you can build good characters even with 15 points. But, as I said, 20 points unlock that mental barrier for some people to even try the MAD classes. I've seen it happen a lot.
