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I will be starting a campaign in the fall, and I had planned to use a stat block of 15, 15, 13, 12, 11, 10 (20 point buy). I expect that many of the players will be quite new to RPGs, and I hope to streamline the character creation process a bit.
I admit to some bias against "min-maxing", which probably explains why nothing is below 10.
Anyway, I wanted to know what the community thought.
Thanks.
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It is certainly an array I'd be happy with (and I'm definitely a fan of using a communal array for all players), though it might be nice to have a single negative modifier in there; just an 8 or a 9 (probably not a 7). Not neccessarily for min-maxing reasons, but because sometimes it is fun to play a character with a minor flaw, like being a bit shy on common sense or being niave (low Wisdom), or being a bit clumsey or slow to react (low Dexterity). It might also serve to help teach new players that a slight penalty isn't insurmountable.
+1 to Ringtail i have done this before it works well. good luck on your game
Your array looks perfectly functional; Not to sound too arrogant, but if a majority of your players are new to RPGs, you'll probably spend your first (and possibly second) game session explaining very basic options to the players. I can't tell you how many campaigns I've had stall at the starting encounter because the players (not characters) got all obsessed with their characters hobbies and whatnot.
But yeah, your starting array isn't too over- or underpowered. :)
Edit: the stuff that really makes a games work is if the players understand that they should states their characters actions in order of initiative rather than screaming over each other when the DM says "Roll for surprise."
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Newbie Players likely wont have any qualms with that, but more experienced players may want that 18 they aren't getting.
Additionally, if you're forcing an array on the players, it's always good to give them a 9 or an 8, and make them prioritize.
Personally I would give a couple of choices made with the same point buy. Different arrays are better for different classes based on the amount of M.A.D. they suffer from.
I think it's a perfectly reasonable array. Racial bonuses can round it out well, and leave everybody functional across the various fields of endeavor. Kudos!
I admit I would be a bit irked with the amount of odd numbers on that array. I understand the want to avoid min/maxing but this goes the other way.
The odd numbers just mean you immediately get a bonus bump when you level a stat: what's not to like?
Waiting half a year to change +2 into +3 I would not call immediate... Having that bonus now means I'd have a greater chance to live to the moment I'll improve my stats.
Half a year for four levels? Really?
Maybe I should cut back on the coffee-fueled all-night game sessions...
I quite like odd numbers. I seldom start a pc without at least 1 or 2.
With a 15 you start with a 17 (incl. race bonus) and improve that to 18 at level 4. Thats high enough for most builds.
Not having odd stats was my main complaint on fixed arrays posted in another thread. (I think it was one of those buy vs roll threads)
Half a year for four levels? Really?
Maybe I should cut back on the coffee-fueled all-night game sessions...
When trying to coordinate time between three or four games with people having variable schedules at work, studies, business trips, family visits and children getting session of the same game every four weeks can be considered success. And I was rather optimistic about the 4 levels per half year. Both my PF and the friend's D&D game are running for a year now, with PF party being in half way between 5th and 6th level while D&D party coming closely to 5th level.
Sweet array. I'd easily be able to work with it.
I would prefer to have at most 2 odd stats at character creation, so my preferred array would be more like 15, 14, 14, 13, 10, 10. At level 4 I get my first 18 (after racial adjustments) and at level 8 I bump that 13 into a 14 to have +2 from 3 stats. Just my personal preference.
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Your array looks perfectly functional; Not to sound too arrogant, but if a majority of your players are new to RPGs, you'll probably spend your first (and possibly second) game session explaining very basic options to the players. I can't tell you how many campaigns I've had stall at the starting encounter because the players (not characters) got all obsessed with their characters hobbies and whatnot.
But yeah, your starting array isn't too over- or underpowered. :)
Edit: the stuff that really makes a games work is if the players understand that they should states their characters actions in order of initiative rather than screaming over each other when the DM says "Roll for surprise."
Yup. Last year we spent a lot of time designing characters. I had hoped to decrease that a bit - maybe from 3 sessions to 2. We generally have only two hours at a time. (I moderate the RPG club at the school where I work. We meet after school and time is short.)
*EDIT*
Last year, I tried to run something close to PFS (almost PFS rules, PFS scenarios) but it didn't really work well. This year I want to try a campaign instead. About half the group were seniors and graduated.
With luck, we'll be able to meet weekly this year (instead of every other week), although we will be alternating between Pathfinder and 4e, which a student will DM. I am not a huge fan of 4e, but it is nice to have a break from being the GM.
Anyway, thanks for all your feedback!
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The odd numbers just mean you immediately get a bonus bump when you level a stat: what's not to like?
That was my thinking. Perhaps I will put together a second array and allow a choice.
*EDIT*
I suppose I am overcompensating for my own frustration. My first PFS character had all even stats so when he reached 4th level, the stat bump did not increase any bonus.
I wouldn't fret too much... though I would avoid dump-statting the new players for the sake of another even score; until you learn your way around, penalties suck. (I'm an advocate for eliminating the option to sell scores down, akshually. I am not fond of characters who squat on both the far sides of the bell-shaped curve.)
Between racial modifiers and level boosts, your array should let people get where they need to be for functioning at higher levels. Anybody who isn't happy with where those scores lead can always buy stat-buff items, once they get their hands on the requisite monies.