Character Creation Tips

[Dave Baughman]

A couple of tips for rolling a character...

First, an excerpt from the rulebook - the character creation process.

1. Roll for Ability Scores
2. Choose a Class
3. Exchange Ability Score points
  • Your Prime Requisite (and only that score) goes up. 1 poin t for each 2
  points that another Ability Score goes down.
  • Constitution and Charisma points can never be exchanged with
  others.
  • Dexterity cannot be lowered (but it may be raised if you have a Thief
  or Halfling character).
  • No score can be lowered below 9. If it is already 10 or less, it cannot
  be lowered.
4. Roll for Hit Points (see Character Classes)
5. Roll for Money (gp = 3d6 x 10)
6. Buy equipment: (see Equipment List)
7. Figure out your:
  a. Armor Class
  b. Character Hit Roll Table
  c. Saving Throws (see Combat)
8. Note adjustments for Ability Scores
9. Give your Character a Name and Alignment
10. Get ready to play

Now, my tips:

Remember the mulligan rule

Rolling straight 3d6 for all of your stats means that its very possible to get a character with all bad stats. While stats are less important in this edition than in later editions, they still matter. If you qualify for the mulligan rule described on page 48, you should use it to re-roll your stats. The purpose of this rule is to ensure that your character meets the minimum physical requirements for an adventuring career.


Don't lock yourself into a concept before you throw the dice

In D&D, you roll yours stats before you choose your class and you are somewhat limited in how you can change around your stat numbers. Class selection, especially at low level, is less important than it is in AD&D or in 3rd/4th edition, so don't decide in advance what you absolutely must play because the dice may not cooperate.

On the other hand don't feel that you are forced to play the most optimized class for your stats either. If you have a 16 dex and a 14 int and really want to be a magic user, play a magic user. You will still be a valuable member of the party.


Don't sweat the hit point roll

Even if you roll the dreaded "one" hitpoint, don't despair. D&D is a teamwork game, and having 1 hp at 1st level just means that you will have to be careful to not expose this character to lots of direct threats. Set him up with ranged weapons and make sure the rest of the team understands that he needs to be in the 'second row.' Be smart, be careful, and you'll probably be fine.


Buy starting equipment when you have the chance

Not every module will give you an opportunity to shop for gear before it starts. When you roll a new character, buy an appropriate selection of gear with some of your starting gold.


Don't go too hardcore on the backstory unless you are OK with losing it

D&D is a game that expects characters to grow as the game progresses. Low level characters, however, should be prepared to accept a fairly high mortality rate - especially while their player is "learning the skills of the trade." D&D does not have a "negative hit points" countdown and does not have ready access to resurrection at low level, so before you write a 30 paragraph novella about your character's backstory, its critical to understand that your character may die in his first adventure and put you back on square one.

A good practice for a new character's background is to give them...

• A name (mandatory)
• An alignment (mandatory)
• A short background (optional - I recommend basically a one paragraph treatment of the character)
• A short physical description (optional)
• A short list of goals or motivations (optional)

I recommend waiting for the character to survive a few adventures before delving too much deeper.

[Dave Baughman]

Here is the 'forum code' for the to-hit numbers table. This lists the default stats for a 1st level character with no attributes outside the 9-12 range, so you may need to edit the exact numbers when posting to your personal sheet.

Code Select Expand


[table][tr][td]Target AC[/td][td]9[/td][td]8[/td][td]7[/td][td]6[/td][td]5[/td][td]4[/td][td]3[/td][td]2[/td][td]1[/td][td]0[/td][td]-1[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Melee[/td][td]10[/td][td]11[/td][td]12[/td][td]13[/td][td]14[/td][td]15[/td][td]16[/td][td]17[/td][td]18[/td][td]19[/td][td]20[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Ranged[/td][td]10[/td][td]11[/td][td]12[/td][td]13[/td][td]14[/td][td]15[/td][td]16[/td][td]17[/td][td]18[/td][td]19[/td][td]20[/td][/tr][/table]