The next AP I run is at least a year away, but I want to get this idea out there and thing about any responses I get.
I'm considering opening up options for players who want to use the race builder. But having read the ARG, the purpose of point values for races, beyond comparing them to each other, is still a little unclear to me. So I'm considering allowing a single point pool from which players can build their own race, race variants, or choose based on the stated point values, and use the remainder of the points for their stats.
Considering most of the standard PC races are around 8 points, and I prefer to give a 15-point build for APs, I was considering allowing a 23-point build, but you have to purchase or build your race with those points as well. So you could play a Tiefling, but you'd only have 10 points for stats.
I'm posting this to ask if anyone has tried this in their own game, and if so, what was the result? Also, is this just asking for trouble? Is it unnecessarily penalizing races that have higher costs? I suppose I'd have to have some minimums like spending at least 5 points on race, and giving pre-racial-mod maxes of 18 in all stats, just as a couple examples. I have already decided to say that if anyone makes up a complete race from whole cloth, I will make sure they do a write-up for the race regarding their culture, history, and role in the world. I don't really expect anyone to do that, though.
Thoughts? Opinions? Experiences?
You need to keep in mind that a character's race has less and less impact as they level up. I recommend just keeping the point buys separate. I never recommend letting the players build their own races. The race builder was made for GMs to create custom races for their campaign. If you let the players use the race builder, I recommend requiring that each race be personally approved by you. That being said, it wouldn't hurt to increase the RP and simply prohibit any advanced/monstrous trait.
I've used the race builder to create custom races for my players. One of my players made his own aquatic race which he written backstories and commissioned artwork for. So I sat down with him, had him describe the race to me, and statted a race description for it.
They're called abiltiy scores, not stats. Also, race points and ability score point buy points are not equal.
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I've done it. It works. Try it for your game, I doubt you'll be disappointed.
I'm going to second the not-equal thing. For example-- Advanced stats, from the racial, is 4 points for a net +8 to stats; even factoring in that it takes up your standard racial bonus (0 points for a net +2) it's guaranteed to be the superior mechanical option.
The easiest way I'm seeing to break this off-hand is something like this:
Advanced Ability Scores (4 RP)
Slow (-1 RP)
Flight, 30' and clumsy (4 RP)
Increase Flight speed by 20' and maneuverability two steps (4 RP)Nets to 11, so you have beautiful ability score bonuses, 12 points for stats, and a Flight speed of 50' with Average maneuverability-- build an archer and have fun. There are all kinds of other options available-- Spell Resistance, Natural Armor, various senses, etc. I would take many of those over a point or two in a stat.
That said, it depends on the power level you're comfortable with and player systems mastery and goals. There are games-- awesome ones-- where "Here's a bunch of racial points, have fun" can work out. But the GM has to be ready for the results.
I would divide the two up into different categories, personally.
Good illustration of what my powergamer is probably going to come back with. I'll keep that in mind. Now, I WAS planning on doing RotRL this way, but with your super-freak flying-gimp race build, I might actually be at least slightly inclined to do that for Iron Gods... and go Gamma World with it.
But your (collective your, all upthread) points are taken. I kind of like the split pool idea, but having seen what one can do with 11 race points, I will probably rule out the open race building idea. I may scrap the whole thing, depending on my mood when I actually wrap up the current AP.
Maybe offering a different stat point pool based on what race they take, but not trading off 1:1 would be better. For example, I could say: You can be an Aasimar with a 12-point build, a Tiefling with 14, a CRB race with 15, or kobold with 17. Which is not EXACTLY 2rp:1ap but close.
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Why not translate the disparity in race build points into something other than attributes? One player chooses a human (9 RP) and another rolls up a tengu (13 RP) you could find some other way to compensate the first player with 4 points of something.
Hero points? Rerolls? Bonus HP at first level? I don't know.