Here are the basic rules for how to stat up a new character.
Characters will begin at 1st level.
To add further levels, see the page for advancement.
Beyond just rules and numbers, you also need to decide on the character's name, appearance, personality, backstory, motivations, and so on.
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Mechanics
1) Choose a race & region of origin
2) Choose a character class
3) Choose Ability Scores
4) Choose Skills & Feats
5) Choose spells, powers and class features
6) Record Action Points and derived values (saves, AC, initiative, etc)
7) Find starting wealth & buy equipment
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Ability Scores
We will be using the "Point buy" method, and each character gets 15 points to spend on their Abilities.
Ability Rating |
7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Point Cost |
–4 | –2 | –1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 17 |
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For example, having a Strength score of 10 costs zero points, while having Str 12 would cost you 2 of your 15 points. Conversely, if you decided to start with a Str value of 7, you would earn 4 points from having such a low rating, points which you can then spend on the other Abilities.
NOTE: These values and costs are done before you apply the Ability adjustments given by the character's race.
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The Ability score itself is seldom used, but your rating determines the "ability modifier", which is applied to almost all rolls that involve the Ability in question. This modifier is equal to (ability score –10)x1/2, rounded down. This gives the following values:
ABILITY | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MODIFIER | –3 | –2 | –2 | –1 | –1 | ±0 | ±0 | +1 | +1 | +2 | +2 | +3 | +3 | +4 | +4 | +5 |
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Skills
Skill Points:
●Each level, you get Skill Points = Amount given by the Class + Intelligence Modifier
●Distribute these points between the skills you want your character to be good at
●You can't have more points in any single skill than your level (so at first level eacgh skill can get max 1 point)
●Each skill is linked with a specific Ability Score, which affects (almost) all uses of the skill
●Some skills can't be used unles your character has spent at least 1 skill point on it
Class Skills:
●Each class has several skills listed as "class skills"
●When you have a level in a class, then all these skills are Class Skills for your character
●If you have spent at least 1 skill point on a Class Skill, you get a +3 bonus when you use that skill
Skill rating = relevant Ability Modifier + skill points (if any) + modifiers (if any)
●Whenever you use a skill, you roll 1d20 and add the skill rating
●If your result is equal to or higher than the Difficulty Class (DC) of the task, you succeed
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Feats
●At 1st level you get 1 feat, freely chosen
●Several races and classes also grant you additional feats
●Your character must fulfill any and all prerequisites listed for a feat before you can select it
●Every 2 levels you earn, you get 1 more feat, freely chosen, just like at 1st level
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Derived Traits
Saving Throws
Save Bonus = relevant Base Save value (given by class) + relevant Ability Modifier (see below)
Base Save: Your class lists the progression each save type uses. Look up the values on the chart below.
Fortitude: Constitution
Reflex: Dexterity
Will: Wisdom
Attacks
Base Attack Bonus (BaB): Your class lists what BaB progression to use. Look up the value on the chart below.
Melee: BaB + Strength Modifier + Size bonus
Ranged: BaB + Dexterity Modifier + Size bonus
Maneuver: BaB + Strength Modifier – Size penalty
Defenses
Armor Class (AC) = Dexterity Modifier + Armor bonus (if any) + Size bonus
Flat-Footed AC: Armor bonus + Size bonus (ignores dexterity)
Touch AC: Dexterity Modifier + Size bonus (ignores armor)
Maneuver Defense: BaB + Strength Modifier + Dexterity Modifier – Size penalty
Various Stats
Hit Points: Start with HP = the "hit die" (HD) of your class, + your Constitution Modifier (no dice roll)
Initiative = Dexterity modifier + bonuses & penalties (if any)
Languages: As given by race, then choose additional languages = Intelligence Modifier
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Base Attack Bonus
lvl | Good | Medium | Poor | lvl | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | +1 | +0 | +0 | 1 | |
2 | +2 | +1 | +1 | 2 | |
3 | +3 | +2 | +1 | 3 | |
4 | +4 | +3 | +2 | 4 | |
5 | +5 | +3 | +2 | 5 | |
lvl | Good | Medium | Poor | lvl | |
6 | +6 / +1 | +4 | +3 | 6 | |
7 | +7 / +2 | +5 | +3 | 7 | |
8 | +8 / +3 | +6 / +1 | +4 | 8 | |
9 | +9 / +4 | +6 / +1 | +4 | 9 | |
10 | +10 / +5 | +7 / +2 | +5 | 10 | |
lvl | Good | Medium | Poor | lvl | |
11 | +11 / +6 / +1 | +8 / +3 | +5 | 11 | |
12 | +12 / +7 / +2 | +9 / +4 | +6/+1 | 12 | |
13 | +13 / +8 / +3 | +9 / +4 | +6/+1 | 13 | |
14 | +14 / +9 / +4 | +10 / +5 | +7/+2 | 14 | |
15 | +15 / +10 / +5 | +11/+6/+1 | +7/+2 | 15 | |
lvl | Good | Medium | Poor | lvl | |
16 | +16/+11/+6/+1 | +12/+7/+2 | +8/+3 | 16 | |
17 | +17/+12/+7/+2 | +12/+7/+2 | +8/+3 | 17 | |
18 | +18/+13/+8/+3 | +13/+8/+3 | +9/+4 | 18 | |
19 | +19/+14/+9/+4 | +14/+9/+4 | +9/+4 | 19 | |
20 | +20/+15/+10/+5 | +15/+10/+5 | +10/+5 | 20 | |
lvl | Good | Medium | Poor | lvl |
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Base Saves
lvl | High | Low | lvl |
---|---|---|---|
1 | +2 | +0 | 1 |
2 | +3 | +0 | 2 |
3 | +3 | +1 | 3 |
4 | +4 | +1 | 4 |
5 | +4 | +1 | 5 |
lvl | High | Low | lvl |
6 | +5 | +2 | 6 |
7 | +5 | +2 | 7 |
8 | +6 | +2 | 8 |
9 | +6 | +3 | 9 |
10 | +7 | +3 | 10 |
lvl | High | Low | lvl |
11 | +7 | +3 | 11 |
12 | +8 | +4 | 12 |
13 | +8 | +4 | 13 |
14 | +9 | +4 | 14 |
15 | +9 | +5 | 15 |
lvl | High | Low | lvl |
16 | +10 | +5 | 16 |
17 | +10 | +5 | 17 |
18 | +11 | +6 | 18 |
19 | +11 | +6 | 19 |
20 | +12 | +6 | 20 |
lvl | High | Low | lvl |
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Starting Wealth
CLASS | Random gp | Average | |
---|---|---|---|
Barbarian | 3 D6 x10 | 105 gp | |
Fighter | 5 D6 x10 | 175 gp | |
Monk | 1 D6 x10 | 35 gp | |
Rogue | 4 D6 x10 | 140 gp | |
DIVINE | Random gp | Average | |
Cleric | 4 D6 x10 | 140 gp | |
Druid | 2 D6 x10 | 70 gp | |
Paladin | 5 D6 x10 | 175 gp | |
Ranger | 5 D6 x10 | 175 gp |
ARCANE | Random gp | Average |
---|---|---|
Artificer | 5 D4 x10 | 125 gp |
Bard | 3 D6 x10 | 105 gp |
Sorcerer | 2 D6 x10 | 70 gp |
Wizard | 2 D6 x10 | 70 gp |
PSIONIC | Random gp | Average |
Psion | 3 D6 x10 | 105 gp |
Psychic Warrior |
5 D6 x10 | 175 gp |
Soulknife | 5 D6 x10 | 175 gp |
Wilder | 4 D4 x10 | 100 gp |
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EXTRA | Random gp | Average |
---|---|---|
Cavalier | 5 D6 x10 | 175 gp |
Investigator | 3 D6 x10 | 105 gp |
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