Stat Point Distribution

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I was just interested how everyone was going to distribute the 25 stat-point default on their character and what class they were going to play. Personally, I think the point-buy number for this is a bit low, so that's why I want to see everyone's opinion.

My stats:
[Edition I, revised.)
Elf (Racial boni already applied)
Sorcerer
LV1

STR: 9 (Sorcerers don't usually get up-close and personal...)
DEX: 14 (AC, Reflex Saves)
CON: 12 (Extra HP, Fortitude Saves)
INT: 12 (Skill Points)
WIS: 10 (Don't need for Will saves, won't be casting Wish.)
CHA: 15 (Almost required if you want to cast those lovely LV9 spells...)

What's your opinion on these stats and how would you distribute yours?

[Special Thanks to: Blackthorne TA, Crawl]

[This message has been edited by AvaLance204 (edited September 14, 2001).]

 

Halfling (racial mods already in effect)
Rogue (with an eye to later multi-classing as a Bard)

Str: 10 (not too important but don't want to neglect it either)
Dex: 15 (+2 to ranged attacks and Ref saves)
Con: 12 (+1 to hp/ level and Fort saves)
Int: 12 (+1 to skill points/ level)
Wis: 10 (same as Str)
Cha: 14 (like I said, I'm looking towards being a Bard as well)

Luckily with bonuses kicking in sooner in 3e the character you create with such a point-buy system isn't necessarily a weakling like s/he would have been in 2e.

 

Well since you were looking for opinions on the first character, I have another thing or two to point out. You might want to reconsider that wisdom thing/intelligence thing for 2 resons:

With only 8 int, you will get very low skill points when you start and few skill points to distribute when you level up. Now I know sorcerers don't have many class skills and all, but you might want to take another class along the way, and that might put that classes skill points pretty low. Also, you will want the skills you have to have some impact. With that intelligence, you will only get 1 skill point per level, and that won't do much for important skills like spellcraft, knowledge (arcana), concentration, and if you like building things or spying, scry or craft. Also, cross class skills will have less impact, and a sorcerer might do good to have diplomacy, intimidate, and other charisma based skills.

Now on to wish. This is a VERY powerful spell, so it will not be cast often as in the BG games. It might not do a sorcerer good to even have the spell in his spell list. I don't know if the game designers even plan to include wish or miracle in their third edition forms in the game, as it will for certain, unless it is a very dumbed down version, have to have DM intervention. Also, even if it is included, their is no guarantee the choices you will have will be based on Wisdom as in BG2 as far as I know. If I'm wrong, someone tell me. Now they might very well if it's like the BG2 spell, but somehow I just don't see something like that in NWN. Also, and this is also very important, the experience point cost of casting wish is 5,000 exp or more. Now that is a lot in third edition, so unless you really have a good reason to cast it, I'd stay away from it or you will whittle your experience down really quickly. I know if it's included, I won't be casting it with that hefty exp point cost.

Now what do I suggest? Maybe have wisdom 10 and intelligence 10. That would be a better choice. Also, as will is the sorcerers best save, you might just want a wisdom of 8 and an intelligence of 12, which would get you some decent at least skill points. That's really the best you could do with that low a point buy. Like I always say, 25 point buy is a bit low except for maybe a fighter or barbarian. Other classes, especially spellcasting classes or those multi or regualar classes that have spells as part of their routine, really are hard to create at 25 point buy. Ever seen a 25 point buy fighter/mage? It isn't pretty

 

Last thing I saw from Bioware was that the jury was still out on how many buy points and they would set it at playtesting stage.
ALFA is going with 28. 4d6 drop one averages 29pts, but with lots of spread!

 

If NWN and/or ALFA was meant, I'd take more points for the key score. Default for me would be 16 - put 16 in key, then arrange as desired. High DEX is a certain advantage to spellcasters (that's why wizards and sorcerers turn out to be mostly elves, combined with the bow proficiencies, even if the CON penalty takes oh-so-dear hp's from you ). For homemade and homerun campaigns, especially combat-unintensive, I'd set spellcasting score on 14-15, for it is not likely that you'd reach high enough level to cast lvl9 spells soon with a good DM (Does the wish to levelup keep you in game? Quit.). On the other hand, for short two-three session adventures - buff your physicals.
IMHO Sorcerers are more battle-oriented than wizards, and their way of spellcasting is more compatible with flashy evocations and transmutations, or whatever takes HPs from foe subjects. So, for a sorcerer, I'd put up CON score, for I will most certainly take some damage.
About low WIS - fine, your choice, but I would not kill the score just to lose the sorcerers' will bonus. On the other hand, I'd raise the score to get even better save.

Crawl, 25pb fighter/wizard - 14/14/10/14/12/9
14 STR&DEX - above average, good for melee and ranged + adds 2AC
10 CON - fine for an F/W, for fighter's HD will compensate for wizard's need fro CON bonus.
14 INT- Raisable the whole way to 19, if you wish, and gives a bonus lvl1 spells
12 WIS - Improve the will save, spot&listen skills
9 CHA - how in the nine hells a 25 pb fighter/wizard can be an attractive person?
Switch WIS&CHA if you wish.

My 28pb human wizard will be 8/12/14/16/14/10
8STR - I plan on no melee
12DEX - sometimes helps avoid an arrow in your forehead
14CON - Concentration, and HPs are not as low as goblin's INT score
16INT - fine enough to be called 'smart', add 3 skills with 4 ranks at lvl1
14WIS - wizard better be wise. No 'powerplay' reason
10CHA - Not gruff, but not a people's magnet. I'm focused on magic, just dont bother me
(may take 2 from WIS and put into CHA is IC reason arises)

[This message has been edited by Skedaddle (edited September 14, 2001).]

 

Well, like I said...not too attractive. Certainly he will be getting stomped by the first barbarian or monster he goes up against, and he's got a ho-hum DC against his spells and poor concentration checks for combat casting as well. Now that's totally my own opinion, and I respect your viewpoint. Somefolks like low powered characters and campaigns. I personally don't. I'd think 28 point buy is much better for multiclassing fighters with spellcasters (or for Paladins, Rangers, or Bards for that matter). Course I love my 32 point buy character I'm using right now, but that's not important for NWN really.

 

Neither did I say that it was attractive, but as I look at it, I see it rather playable. Appropriate to some environments, would be better to say. 28pb allows better flexibility, and creates more of heroes than average people.

 

My human fighter/rogue that I plan to play in NWN looks like this. I am quite new to 3ed so tips would be helpful. I used the 28 point buy as that is what ALFA uses and I will try to get in there.

Str 12. I dont want to be an utter weakling but my char isnt strong

Dex 16. He is a rogue mainly with enhanced fighting abilities so dex is his man stat

Con 14. Some HP are nice to have

Int 10. Not dumb, not smart hell learn during the years

Wis 10. He is a thief gotdammit! He is wise enough to not get caught but not wise enough to find a less dangerous line of work

Cha 13. The charming rogue is a classic

What do you think? Im working on a bio on him and I am already trying to get into his skull.

[This message has been edited by joacqin (edited December 22, 2001).]

 

FYI, They are testing out the game with a 30 point buy right now. I think that all the flak they took about having it set at 25 points had an effect.

 

Well good, I'm glad they listened to their audience. I heard *alot* of complaing on those NWN forum updates, and I personally didn't like the 25 either. I wish there was some way to have variable ways of character creation, though I guess that would only complicate thigs. I have personally always liked 32 points, as I don't think that number is overpowered for an apropriate campaign. 28 is fine, 25 is too low for me. I personally commend Bioware for at least trying 30 point buy. They should have plenty of time to settle it whilst this whole Bioware/Interplay lawsuit gets settled.