Ability Scores

[DexterLecter]

We are using a High Fantasy purchase method for our upcoming game. I know you can reduce your score in one stat to put more points into other stats. My friend is telling me this is at a 2:1 ratio. Meaning I have to remove 2 Charisma to get 1 Strength for example. Is this true?

[SlimGauge]

Short answer: No, it is not true.

Long answer: In the core rulebook, find the "Getting Started" section.

In that section, find the table "Table: Ability Score Costs"

High Fantasy gives you 20 points to spend.
For each of your scores, use the table to find the corresponding cost.
Add them up. Do not exceed 20.

So if you dropped your CHA to 9, that costs -1.
If you also increased your WIS to 11, that costs 1.

If you dropped your CHA to 8, that costs -2.
If you also increased your WIS to 12, that costs 2.

Note however
If you dropped your CHA to 7, that costs -4.
If you also increased your WIS to 13, that costs 3, leaving you with a remainder.

You cannot drop a score below 7 without DM fiat.

[Rub-Eta]

There's plenty of software to help with this. Personally I like this one the most of those that I've found.

[fretgod99]

Slim has it, but I just want to be specific about something he said.

When he says dropping your CHA to 8 costs -2, he means dropping your CHA to 8 from 10 costs -2. Dropping your CHA from 9 to 8 gives you one additional point available. Dropping from 8 to 7 costs -2, which is why going from 10 to 7 costs -4.

It works the same way in reverse (so going to WIS 12 costs 2 if you're counting from the starting point of 10 - it costs 1 to go from 11 to 12).

I just wanted to be abundantly clear since point buy can be a little confusing if you're not particularly familiar with it.

[Hubaris]

I personally prefer this one for its lightweight use.

Mechanically how it works is this:

Spoiler:

07 -> 4 Points Returned
08 -> 2 Points Returned
09 -> 1 Point Returned
10 -> 0 Points
11 -> 1 Point
12 -> 2 Points
13 -> 3 Points
14 -> 5 Points
15 -> 7 Points
16 -> 10 Points
17 -> 13 Points
18 -> 17 Points

Its neat because moving up from 1 stat to another is based on the modifier you are moving to, minimum 1! Example, going from 16 -> 17 costs 3 points, because both 16 and 17 are a +3. Though moving from 17 to 18 costs 4, because 18 is a +4. You can use this pattern to extend up and down if your GM allows.

[Ciaran Barnes]

DexterLecter wrote:

We are using a High Fantasy purchase method for our upcoming game. I know you can reduce your score in one stat to put more points into other stats. My friend is telling me this is at a 2:1 ratio. Meaning I have to remove 2 Charisma to get 1 Strength for example. Is this true?

This was a method described in one of the original D&D books, late 70's maybe. However, it assumed that you were rolling ability scores. I would discourage such a practice.