So this has come up in a few threads, so I wanted to make a post detailing all of the methods, and what a typical PC could look like.

Note that a common misconception is that 3d6 in order is NOT an AD&D method.  I suspect that people who say that was the method used either a) played directly with someone who played OD&D first, or b) is making it up to sound like they have more cred.  I am very dubious that the person ever played AD&D that way because it makes no sense the group would ignore the published methods in favor of one they just made up (if point a is not applicable, then they wouldn't have known about OD&D's method).

Without further ado (these are the first results I had, so they by no means represent the average):

Method 1: 4d6 drop lowest, assign how you want
11, 13, 17, 13, 10, 17

Method 2: 3d6 12 times, take highest 6, assign how you want
12, 12, 12, 12, 13, 13

Method 3: 3d6 rolled 6 times for each ability, in order
STR: 17, Int: 13, Wis: 14, Dex: 16, Con: 17, CHA: 13

Method 4: 3d6 in order for 12 PCs, take best
Str: 9, Int: 9, Wis: 10, Dex: 16, Con: 10, Cha: 13
or (I couldn't decide whether thief or cleric, so here are two of the sets)
Str: 10, Int: 6, Wis: 17, Dex: 7, Con: 8, Cha: 17

Method V (unearthed Aracana.  9d6, 8d6, 7d6, etc)  For a fighter:
Str: 18, Int: 8, Wis: 15, Dex: 15, Con: 17, Cha: 16, Com: 15


OD&D/B/X Method: 3d6 in order
Str: 12, Int: 12, Wis: 12, Dex: 10, Con: 9, Cha: 16

Method 3 seems to generate the highest stats, but I never used it because it was just too much damn dice rolling

Method 1 was, and is, my preferred method.

Method 3 is my favorite.

Definitely a lot of dice rolling, but I've never understood why that's a bad thing. There are whole games (Yahtzee, Liar's Dice) where you do nothing but roll dice.

The first time I played, we used the 4d6 drop one method. This was after the PHB came out, but before the DMG. So I have no idea where the DM got the 4d6 drop one from, since the DMG wasn't out yet.

I recently did a formal statistical analysis of all the methods in the 1E PHB, DMG and UA, and several of them are so totally over the top it is kind of incredible. It is almost impossible to avoid several 17-18 stats with some of these.

In my 2e games we mostly did 4d6 drop lowest arrange to taste.

There was also a "all stats start at 8, roll 7d6, assign dice to stats as you want" that we used occasionally.

So like, let me roll a second: I got 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 6, 6

So I could go

Str: 8
Dex: 8 + 6
Con: 8 + 6
Wis: 8 + 1
Int: 8 + 5 + 3 + 2
Cha: 8 + 6

And make a pretty cool wizard.

Because of my horrible dice rolling my GM's went with method 7...Johanna's Way.

4d6 drop one and reroll all 1's until they aren't 1's. For example in order I rolled...

14...15...14...15
11...10...17...14
14...9...15....15
16...9...11.....14
13...15...11...13
8..16...15......16**

Pretty good 2e/3e characters and quickly done.

*Totally awesome characters if I get to put scores where I want.

"I never got option 2 (which is fair):.

** If you allow this method I suggest in order and only one result maybe two. I used actual dice like I would in a game not a dice roller and obviously got lucky on my 4th attempt (but it's an option or housefule that's basically canon anyway). That 4th line is Elf 100%.

Personally I use the roll 4 drop lowest. But oft I will leave them in the order rolled unless I am in a particular mood for a class type.

I like the method as it generates slightly better characters - but you can still end up with lots of low rolls. 18s are still rare.

I am fine with roll 3 and in order. Especially if I am in a mood for something challenging with low to average stats.

Other methods D&D has introduced is.

Point swapping: This was in boxed sets and the Cyclopedia. Points could be moved from select stats to bump up a prime stat. 3d6 in order. Then bump a prime requisite up 1 per 2 dropped in another. No lower than 9 and Dex Con and Charisma could not be "spent".

Fixed stats: Think this was introduced in 2nd ed? You got some sort of stat spread and could alot them as desired. dont have the book handy so not sure what the spread was.

Point system: Think this was introduced in 2nd ed too. I believe the Skills & Powers book?

The important thing to remember is that most people back in the day didn't read the AD&D1e books.  They CLAIMED they played AD&D, but what they really played was "Basic" with race separated from class and magic resistance tacked on.  The AD&D1e books themselves were just a nerd status symbol in order to show how superior they were to the "Basic Box retards."

I did read the AD&D books.  I hated Gygax's writing, and it was a laborious slog, but I have read the core AD&D1e books from cover to cover.  Still, I have to admit that I never noticed that 3d6 six times in order wasn't an attribute method listed.  I had gotten the impression that 3d6 six times in order was specified somewhere early in the PHB and the methods listed in the DMG were alternates.  

When I roll, I use the 4d6 drop low die arrange to preference method.

Since I don't play for competition/risk/challenge or any other nonsense, and I play with another mature adult, I often don't even roll.  I just write up some stats that seem good, we go over them, and then play.  I call this the Modeling Method.

I don't really have an opinion on Methods 2 throguh 4.  I've probably used them once or twice in the past, but they seem to me to be a lot of rolling for little to no advantage over the 4d6 drop low method.  I remember feeling Method 5 was a bit overboard.  When you go that far to stack the odds, you might as well just Model and be done with it.

Quote from: Gabriel2;739312The important thing to remember is that most people back in the day didn't read the AD&D1e books.  They CLAIMED they played AD&D, but what they really played was "Basic" with race separated from class and magic resistance tacked on.  The AD&D1e books themselves were just a nerd status symbol in order to show how superior they were to the "Basic Box retards."

Nice, silly, sweeping generalizations. :rolleyes:

It's been about 27 years since I last played AD&D, but I recall mainly using 4d6, drop lowest, and assign where we pleased. So, 'method 1' as described.

We used 4d6-L for our AD&D games.  We used Method V for a while after Unearthed Arcana came out but reverted back to 4d6-L when 2e AD&D arrived.

I always wanted to DM a game where players rolled their stats on 2d6, in order.

I was going to call the campaign The Losers Brigade, highly deadly (needless to say), and we could have seen if Ned Peckerhead should have remained a shit shoveler in Dungsville or if he had a trace of destiny in his blood.

The hard part would be getting a character who qualified to be a character class (AD&D 1E) at all, you needed a 9 as a prime requisite to do so. "Holy crap guys, I have a 9 in strength! I CAN BE SOMEONE!"

I've always used Method I, 4d6 drop lowest. Some of my more "hard core" AD&D DMs, always insisted on 3d6 down the line, which I don't mind, but as stated in the OP, not the default as most players think.

In the design of my own "AD&D" system variant, I decided to scrap the roll first, pick later part of D&D. In my game, players pick a race and class first, then roll a number of dice per stat, based on a table. I wanted to eliminate any sort of subsequent attribute modifiers, so I simply adjusted the number of dice rolled instead. I also didn't place race/class restrictions either, the stats alone would take care of that.

You can see the stat-gen system I developed if you click on the image below:



My intent was to allow race/class synergy, without muddying the waters with static bonuses and penalties. The "potential" for rolling low or high is based on the number of dice you get to roll, but even that doesn't guarantee high stats, only the chance to have higher stats. Some stats could have as little as 2d6, while other 6d6, with 4d6 being the average.

My favourite method is best 3 of 4d6 in order, then swap any pair. Players can have a high stat where they want it, but characters still look organic.

Quote from: S'mon;739405My favourite method is best 3 of 4d6 in order, then swap any pair. Players can have a high stat where they want it, but characters still look organic.

That sounds cool to me.

Usually for AD&D I use Method I. But lately my players (not me) have been insisting on using 3d6 in order with First Ed. They like it that way, so I let them do it. Their characters survive, too!

Here's some analysis I ran on a bunch of different methods for rolling stats.

http://1d8.blogspot.com/2011/07/stat-rolling-and-power-level.html

I think my favorite these days is roll 3d6 and count 1's as 4's, swap any two scores.

We mostly used 3D6 down the line during 0e/1e.
We mostly used 4D6 drop lowest arrange as you like in 2e.
We sometimes used 4D6 drop lowest, down the line for 2e.
I now use 3D6 down the line for my 0e.

3D6 down the line works fine if you use the B/X stats bonuses so 13-15 gives a +1.