D&D: House Rules – Free Feat with Rolled Ability Scores

When rolling up a new character using the 3d6 or 4d6 method described below, you gain a bonus feat at level 1.

One Chance per Character

You can use this method as part of character generation once per character. After rolling, we can compare the results to the standard point buy method. If the rolled stats are below what could be achieved with point buy, then you are welcome to abandon the free feat and use the Point Buy or Standard Array methods for ability scores.

Point Buy Method

At your Dungeon Master’s option, you can use this variant for determining your ability scores. The method described here allows you to build a character with a set of ability scores you choose individually.

You have 27 points to spend on your ability scores. The cost of each score is shown on the Ability Score Point Cost table. For example, a score of 14 costs 7 points. Using this method, 15 is the highest ability score you can end up with, before applying racial increases. You can’t have a score lower than 8.

This method of determining ability scores enables you to create a set of three high numbers and three low ones (15, 15, 15, 8, 8, 8), a set of numbers that are above average and nearly equal (13, 13, 13, 12, 12, 12), or any set of numbers between those extremes.

Ability Score Point Cost

Score	Cost
8	0
9	1
10	2
11	3
12	4
13	5
14	7
15	9

Rolling the Dice

The tradition is that ability rolls should always be performed at the game table with the group.

3d6 Method

Role 4 sets of 6 ability scores using 3d6. Choose the best set of the 4.

Example

Set 1	Set 2	Set 3	Set 4
9	11	12	12
14	9	9	11
7	11	5	8
9	14	17	16
10	16	11	15
8	11	9	13

4d6 Method

Role 7 ability scores using 4d6, dropping the low die for each role. Use the best 6 of the 7 roles.

Example

Drop Lowest Die – Drop Lowest Roll
13
18
15
10
9
10
8