Ability Scores, HP and Equipment
generating ability scores
All of my games allow you to use either of these methods for generating your character's ability scores:
- Standard array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8)
- 27-point buy as detailed in the PHB
In games that allow rolling for ability scores (the game information should tell you if this is the case), roll using the following guidelines:
- Roll two sets of six scores by rolling 4d6 and dropping the lowest each time. You may choose either set of scores to use, but may not mix and match rolls between the two sets.
- You may assign the rolled results to your ability scores in any order (i.e., you do not have to apply the first roll to Strength, the second to Dexterity, etc.).
- If the sum of your set of rolled scores is less than 72 or you are otherwise desperately unhappy with your results, you may use the standard array instead. That said, you should never need perfectly optimized ability scores to enjoy playing in my games, so don't be afraid to run with that 7 you rolled!
seriously? i can take the standard array if i don't like my rolls?
Ultimately, it's not all that important to me what your scores are or how you got them as long as you came by them honestly. I know there are people who think standard array and point buy are bland, people who think rolled stats are unfair to players whose rolls just squeak by as passable when their party members got three seventeens, people who think letting players take the standard array if they get bad rolls defeats the purpose of rolling in the first place. What I care about is making sure my players can play a character they'll enjoy. Again, optimization is never necessary in my games, and I'm a big fan of the "roleplaying stat", but I also know having a character who can't even perform the basic functions of their class isn't much fun. If you roll four sixes and that's not fun for you, I'd rather you just fall back to the standard array so your character can actually do the cool stuff you're looking forward to having them do!
generating hit points
At 1st level, your hit points are equal to your hit die size plus your Constitution modifier, as is standard.
At levels beyond 1st, roll your hit die. If the result is higher than the average for your hit die, use that result; otherwise, you may take the average instead. Either way, add your Constitution modifer as normal.
starting equipment
Take your class's starting equipment and the gold earned from your background; do not roll for starting gold. You may sell the equipment you gain this way back for half its standard price and use that money to purchase additional equipment. Please let me know what you're selling and buying if you do this.
Games that have characters start above 1st level may grant those characters additional starting gold, equipment or magic items. See the specific information for that particular game for more details.
feats and multiclassing
See my general notes on these for more information, but in a nutshell, if your character is starting above 1st level, you may multiclass or choose feats at appropriate levels so long as you meet any prerequisites or you've cleared it with me first.