Stat Spread: Which would you choose?

[HunterOfJello]

Scenario:
You are dead and given a choice. You died in this world and are informed by the powers that be that you will soon be reborn in a D&D 3.5 fantasy world in a large mixed race metropolis with opportunities of all kinds. You will be reborn as a D&D PHB Human and will not retain any of your memories. You know no other information about what will happen.

You are given a choice of which stat spread you will be born with and are given the choice right now of which score will be given to each stat. You are not given any other choices. (You do not get to choose class, feats, skills, or anything else.)

Which of the following options do you choose?



A.
18
10
10
10
10
10


B.
16
16
10
10
10
10


C.
14
14
14
10
10
10


D.
12
12
12
12
10
10

[ryu]

Assuming I at least go into SOMETHING relevant to the stat focus? Array A with focus in INT. Worst case scenario I've got access to large numbers of skill points. Best case scenario I luck into an INT caster. Mid case scenario I get something decent like factotum.

[NeoPhoenix0]

I choose 10 str, 16 dex, 10 con, 10 int, 10 wis, 16 cha

Cha is awsome for getting stat x to y, and assuming i could choose how to advance my character there are several awesome options for classes that use cha a lot, many of them can benefit from a dip in other classes. Also makes the character capable of manipulating even without skill points so find a really smart guy to help you think through complicated problems.

I just like dex. so personal choice there.

I also don't want my best stats lower than 16 if possible so these are my choices.

[Marlowe]

I'll take the three 14s, good scores into DEX, CON, and INT and have almost the same stats as my very first 3.0 character. Nostalgia.

[Invader]

Either 16, 16, 10, 10, 10, 10 or
14, 14, 14, 10, 10, 10

Probably the two 16's, most classes are fine with two decent primary scores.

[Marlowe]

Am I the only one that thinks this sounds like a really sadistic opening for a PbP campaign?:smalleek:

[ZamielVanWeber]

16 16 10 10 10 10. This lets me comfortably play any caster. Sure the 18 is sexier but two 16s give a lot of flexibility.

[Mendicant]

16 int, 16 cha. That gives me access to some of the best adventurer classes, and pretty good employment and advancement abilities even if I don't. A 14 in each of the mental scores might be preferable if I know I'm gonna get stuck with expert or aristocrat.

[HunterOfJello]

Assuming I at least go into SOMETHING relevant to the stat focus? Array A with focus in INT. Worst case scenario I've got access to large numbers of skill points. Best case scenario I luck into an INT caster. Mid case scenario I get something decent like factotum.

You're a human so there's a very strong chance of getting into a wizard university (or Artificer school, etc.) with your 18 Int if your reincarnated self is into that. (Note: it is impossible to know what your reincarnated self would be into.)


Am I the only one that thinks this sounds like a really sadistic opening for a PbP campaign?:smalleek:

I think we should be friends.

[With a box]

I won't consider him as myself.
But I think int16 and WIS 16 would be good for him.
At least he will know what he should do.

[TheIronGolem]

Array B, with the 16's in INT and WIS. If I don't end up being a caster, my otherwise-mediocre stats will encourage my future self to go for a quiet, safe, comfortable life living off of a Profession skill, with enough skill points that I can switch careers if I want.

[Cruiser1]

Which of the following options do you choose?



A.
18
10
10
10
10
10


B.
16
16
10
10
10
10


C.
14
14
14
10
10
10


D.
12
12
12
12
10
10


A and D are only +4 in total modifiers. B and C are each +6, which is better.
In standard point buy beyond straight 10's, D costs 8 points, C costs 12 points, B costs 16, and A costs 14.

Option B is best, because it's tied for the highest modifiers, and is worth the most in point buy. It also makes sense on a common sense level, to be very good in two areas.

[Crake]

A and D are only +4 in total modifiers. B and C are each +6, which is better.
In standard point buy beyond straight 10's, D costs 8 points, C costs 12 points, B costs 16, and A costs 14.

Option B is best, because it's tied for the highest modifiers, and is worth the most in point buy. It also makes sense on a common sense level, to be very good in two areas.

Glad I read the thread before posting the same math you just did, that would have made me look silly. But yeah, the 16s are by far the best choice for versatility and power. You aren't often going to need more than 2 good stats. Personally I would take int and cha, with con being a strong contender to replace cha.

[Lorddenorstrus]

Yeah I'd take the 2 16s set. Con / int. I like not dying, Int helps with skills. pray I don't roll like Fighter and have uselessly high Int.

[AvatarVecna]

10/10/10/16/16/10. If my class isn't a Int-/Wis-based caster, I can be a knowledgeable person who knows how to take care of himself; if I'm a caster, I have greatsufficiently capable cosmic power at my fingertips.

[DeAnno]

Charisma seems closest linked to actually being able to make yourself happy. It might be followed by Constitution to avoid getting sick, but with a reasonable amount of wealth in a D&D Metropolis the health care is pretty good. Probably 16 Cha, 16 Int, but if the spreads allowed more flexibility or were more balanced I would pump Cha more at the cost of Int.

[goto124]

So what do we get to choose? We couldn't choose race (already human), but could we choose which stats are which numbers, as well as class?

[Hiro Quester]

16 CON and 16 WIS. Be a druid and wildshape into forms that replace the 10s in STR and DEX with much higher scores.

[Heliomance]

16 INT, 16 CON probably. If I don't get Wizard as my first level, I'll go find a university and multiclass into Wizard at level 2.

[Telonius]

I'd go with C, 14's on the mental stats.

[Lerondiel]

16 INT, 16 CON probably. If I don't get Wizard as my first level, I'll go find a university and multiclass into Wizard at level 2.

Seconded.
The DM needs to be prepared for the event that if the awarded class doesn't meet player expectation it'll be written off as a loss and they'll roll forward at 2nd level into their Plan A.

It could really be worth hearing the intended players' thought processes in how they're arraying their stats, so the DM can award a class that is at least useful to their plans.


In the example of Heliomance it's pretty easy, a lot of starter classes would be useful for Fort save, HP, boatload of skill points, etc.
Some ToB and you may even inspire a change of direction such as a polymorphing Jade Phoenix Mage, but with stats of 10 monk doesn't mean much and cleric, sorcerer, etc would irritate players.

[Rubik]

If I died and woke up as someone else, it honestly doesn't matter, because I'm not me anymore.

[lytokk]

I'd go for the 3 14s. I'd prefer to have an even spread.

[Amphetryon]

16 CON 16 WIS for me. Even if I get saddled with a mundane Class, I'll have good HP, perception skills, and a defense against domination. Plus, it sets me up for CoDzilla.

[HunterOfJello]

So what do we get to choose? We couldn't choose race (already human), but could we choose which stats are which numbers, as well as class?

Race is human. You get to pick which stat spread and which score goes to which stat. (Ex: Choose A and put the 18 in Int)

The reincarnated person will get a class, skills, etc. by their own choice after childhood or by the will of fate. You don't know and there's no way to influence their life other than by your choice on their ability scores.

[Heliomance]

Race is human. You get to pick which stat spread and which score goes to which stat. (Ex: Choose A and put the 18 in Int)

The reincarnated person will get a class, skills, etc. by their own choice after childhood or by the will of fate. You don't know and there's no way to influence their life other than by your choice on their ability scores.

Actually, if the reincarnated person doesn't retain any of my memories, personality, etc, then they're not me, and I really don't give a damn what their stat distribution is. Why am I even being asked what stat distribution some random person completely unrelated to me should have? In fact, I'd try to avoid the reincarnation at all costs, as presumably my consciousness would cease at the point at which the reincarnation happens, which is the point I would actually classify as dying.

[Uncle Pine]

Option B: Int 16, Wis 16.
This will probably give "me" a high chance of being a capable wizard appreciated by whichever community "I" will end in.