D&D 5E Alternate Character Creation Idea for 5e Arrays with Perks

[Rhenny]

After reading a number of complaints about min/max attributes breaking some classes in 5e (whether it is true or not), and talking about character generation rolls vs. point buy vs. standard array in my own group, I'm starting to work on a new way to use arrays with Perks to make less cookie cutter or min/maxed PCs.

First goals...using array to limit starting attributes so that the PC needs to be higher level to achieve a 20 in a prime attribute, and normalizing PCs so that all PCs are in the same range of power-level from the start.

Second goal...adding an element of chance that changes the way the PC feels/plays mechanically rather than relying solely on backgrounds, personality traits, ideals, bonds and flaws.

What do you think? Add possible perks if you like or re-balance or make any other suggestions.

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To help standard array PCs be less cookie cutter use the following array choices. Someone made this list on WoTC board so I just stole it - sorry, I don't remember who wrote them all out.

If you use an array that has no 15 in any score, roll a d8 once to add a random Perk.

15, 15, 15, 8, 8, 8
15, 15, 14, 10, 8, 8
15, 15, 14, 9, 9, 8
15, 15, 13, 12, 8, 8
15, 15, 13, 11, 9, 8
15, 15, 13, 10, 10, 8
15, 15, 13, 10, 9, 9
15, 15, 12, 12, 9, 8
15, 15, 12, 11, 10, 8
15, 15, 12, 11, 9, 9
15, 15, 12, 10, 10, 9
15, 15, 11, 11, 11, 8
15, 15, 11, 11, 10, 9
15, 15, 11, 10, 10, 10
15, 14, 14, 12, 8, 8
15, 14, 14, 11, 9, 8
15, 14, 14, 10, 10, 8
15, 14, 14, 10, 9, 9
15, 14, 13, 13, 9, 8
15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8
15, 14, 13, 12, 9, 9
15, 14, 13, 11, 11, 8
15, 14, 13, 11, 10, 9
15, 14, 13, 10, 10, 10
15, 14, 12, 12, 11, 8
15, 14, 12, 12, 10, 9
15, 14, 12, 11, 11, 9
15, 14, 12, 11, 10, 10
15, 14, 11, 11, 11, 10
15, 13, 13, 13, 11, 8
15, 13, 13, 13, 10, 9
15, 13, 13, 12, 12, 8
15, 13, 13, 12, 11, 9
15, 13, 13, 12, 10, 10
15, 13, 13, 11, 11, 10
15, 13, 12, 12, 12, 9
15, 13, 12, 12, 11, 10
15, 13, 12, 11, 11, 11
15, 12, 12, 12, 12, 10
15, 12, 12, 12, 11, 11
14, 14, 14, 13, 9, 8
14, 14, 14, 12, 10, 8
14, 14, 14, 12, 9, 9
14, 14, 14, 11, 11, 8
14, 14, 14, 11, 10, 9
14, 14, 14, 10, 10, 10
14, 14, 13, 13, 11, 8
14, 14, 13, 13, 10, 9
14, 14, 13, 12, 12, 8
14, 14, 13, 12, 11, 9
14, 14, 13, 12, 10, 10
14, 14, 13, 11, 11, 10
14, 14, 12, 12, 12, 9
14, 14, 12, 12, 11, 10
14, 14, 12, 11, 11, 11
14, 13, 13, 13, 13, 8
14, 13, 13, 13, 12, 9
14, 13, 13, 13, 11, 10
14, 13, 13, 12, 12, 10
14, 13, 13, 12, 11, 11
14, 13, 12, 12, 12, 11
14, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12
13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 10
13, 13, 13, 13, 12, 11
13, 13, 13, 12, 12, 12


Perks

1. Gain an extra 60’ of darkvision or gain darkvision 20’ if you don’t have it.

2. You are faster than average – gain +5’ to movement score

3. You have a sixth sense for danger – gain +2 to initiative

4. You are especially hearty - add +2 to hit points

5. You can choose to gain expertise in one proficiency you already have or add one new proficiency

6. You gain one extra point of inspiration each day, but it must be used before you gain a new one

7. You gain +1 to an ability score (roll a d6 and add +1 to that ability)

8. You trained with a weaponmaster - gain +1 to attack with one weapon of choice, or, if you are a spellcaster, you can choose to gain +1 to your spell DC, or you can add 1 cantrip to known cantrips.

 

[Shiroiken]

One of our DMs wants to do a game without rolled scores, but he hates point buy and the standard array has limitations. I've suggested simply generating a few arrays (not as many as noted above) and letting characters choose from them. This prevents some of the really annoying min/max tricks I've seen (especially with base human), but still allows balanced characters with variety.

I don't really see a need to reward characters that don't start with a 15. The system itself rewards them with better overall scores, since the 15 costs more.

 

[Rhenny]

Thanks. I agree with you, but I've found the my players will never choose a prime score that isn't max so I'm experimenting.

 

[Satyrn]

My thought is that there are too many arrays to choose from. So many of them are so close to the same as to be useless extras to my mind.


I'd rather be given a choice of these 5 more distinct arrays:
15, 15, 11, 10, 10, 10 - "flawless"
15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8 - "diverse"
14, 14, 13, 11, 11, 10 - "flawless" - with aperk
14, 14, 14, 13, 9, 8 - "diverse" - with a perk
13, 13, 13, 12, 12, 12 - "well rounded"

I've picked them from a mix of my preferences as a player and as a DM. I didn't take any of the triple 15 arrays because I feel like the numerous 8s they come with are just gonna be dumped too badly.

 

[Rhenny]

My thought is that there are too many arrays to choose from. So many of them are so close to the same as to be useless extras to my mind.


I'd rather be given a choice of these 5 more distinct arrays:
15, 15, 11, 10, 10, 10 - "flawless"
15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8 - "diverse"
14, 14, 13, 11, 11, 10 - "flawless" - with aperk
14, 14, 14, 13, 9, 8 - "diverse" - with a perk
13, 13, 13, 12, 12, 12 - "well rounded"

I've picked them from a mix of my preferences as a player and as a DM. I didn't take any of the triple 15 arrays because I feel like the numerous 8s they come with are just gonna be dumped too badly.

I really like that.