Creative Director
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What point buy you allow is up to you, really. If you want a grittier game, use the standard point buy. I prefer less deadly games myself, so I like the 32 point buy, since that gives the PCs an extra edge at lower level in surviving. At higher levels, when gear is more important in determining power than base ability scores, it's a negligible benefit (kind of like racial abilities) that doesn't really unbalance anything.
In any event, yes, the PCs should be 4th level by the time they finish Burnt Offerings. If they're hard-core and finish EVERYTHING (the adventure kind of assumes that PCs don't finish Thistletop until later), they may even hit 5th level.
I actually sort of assume that a lot of groups will start the second adventure before everything from the first is wrapped up. The end of Thistletop and the Catacombs can certainly bleed over easily enough.
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For my D&D campaign, I've used a 32-point buy, plus Reserve Points and Action points from Unearthed Arcana. Named NPCs use the Elite Array (15,14,13,12,10,8) and get Reserve Points, but not Action Points. I'm also giving PCs max HP at 1st level, and 75% of max HP/HD thereafter.
This gives the PCs a bit of survivability, since I tend to run tough encounters. The action points serve to help PCs avoid the "death by dice" scenario, while the reserve points let them run through more encounters in a day without retreating to rest and heal.b
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For my D&D campaign, I've used a 32-point buy, plus Reserve Points and Action points from Unearthed Arcana. Named NPCs use the Elite Array (15,14,13,12,10,8) and get Reserve Points, but not Action Points. I'm also giving PCs max HP at 1st level, and 75% of max HP/HD thereafter.
This gives the PCs a bit of survivability, since I tend to run tough encounters. The action points serve to help PCs avoid the "death by dice" scenario, while the reserve points let them run through more encounters in a day without retreating to rest and heal.b
Any ideas on converting a sort of "Reserve Point" system to deal with spells? Because in my games I find it's more often the wizard and cleric running out of spells than the fighter running out of h.p.
I was just unsure how much 'loot' the players would be getting.
I am no expert at treasure rewards...
But the first chapter doesn't leave any group with anything that stands out as abnormal. That is even if they clear out everything.
I haven't actually tallied the value, but gut reaction makes me think it might be a little on the low side for wealth per level.
I've found that the difference between 25 and 32 point buy really only matters at low levels. By around level 4-5 your class benefits generally outstrip the bonuses of the attributes. Plus it stops players from using a lot of dump stats.
For the record, I also give bonus background feats.
I've never used the point buy before, I always like rolling up stats for Pcs, I am tempted however, just for a change of pace and there always seems to be one person whose stat just plain stink. With the point buy at least everyone will be pretty even at the start.
Any ideas on converting a sort of "Reserve Point" system to deal with spells? Because in my games I find it's more often the wizard and cleric running out of spells than the fighter running out of h.p.
I'm using the "spell recharge" concept from UA with great success in my tabletop Savage Tides campaign.