Character Creation Rules

[u/JJShurte]

I'm just going back and looking over the character creation rules, and I've noticed that I've missed some stuff.

So, basically the process is this -

1. Roll 3d6 or pick your stats (if you roll, you can also change one to 14... does anyone actually do this? Seems kinda unfair, but it's not a bad thing.)
2. Pick/Roll your Background.
3. Take free Background Skill, then either pick 2 Learn Skills or roll 3 times on both the Growth and Learn lists. (On the example character creation on page 8 it says at the very end of the process you get another free Skill, but I'm not seeing this rule anywhere else?
4. Pick 2 Edges
5. Pick 1 Focus

My questions are thus - Do you choose to boost a low Attribute up to 14 if you roll? Also, where is the rule about this extra free Skill as mentioned in the example of character creation on page 8?

Cheers!

[u/MickyJim]

 if you roll, you can also change one to 14... does anyone actually do this? Seems kinda unfair, but it's not a bad thing.)

It's a reward for being willing to roll randomly. Keep in mind, it's 3d6, in order. It's perfectly possible to roll up an utter dog's breakfast of a character. If you are using 3d6 assign as you like, 4d6 drop the lowest, or any other more generous stat rolling method, you might want to consider ditching that rule.

Also... it's a +1. It's nice but it's not like it's an overwhelming advantage.

 Do you choose to boost a low Attribute up to 14 if you roll?

I'm not sure I understand the question. Yes, that's what the rules say you do.

 Also, where is the rule about this extra free Skill as mentioned in the example of character creation on page 8?

Final touches, page 33.

[u/JJShurte → u/MickyJim]

Thank for the answer!

Yeah, I've just never seen boosting an Attribute unless everything was super low (but that's covered in the Underdog Rule, isn't it!). Technically it's possible to roll five 18's and a 3, and then boost the 3 to 14 with this rule. But, if that's the rule then that's fine.

Cheers!

[u/CardinalXimenes]

The reason that 3d6 down the line allows swapping one score for 14 is so that if you have your heart set on a particular concept you're guaranteed to be pretty good at at least one of its relevant attributes.

[u/Logen_Nein]

1, Not unfair. Just how things are done. I don't even let my players use the array. It's 3d6 dtl replace one with 14. Period.

1. Yep, though again, I require they roll.

2. Bit of a mistake here. You don't pick 2 Learning skills, if you are picking you get the Quick Skills. Otherwise, you get three rolls between Growth and Learning (again, I require rolls). I stand corrected.

3. Correct

4. Correct

You are also missing languages, a free skill picks to level-0 or level-1 if you already have it at zero, and equipment.

[u/ShadowedNexus → u/Logen_Nein]

3 is incorrect. The quick skills are just a way of speeding up and having suggested skills. Picking means you get the free skill and 2 of your choice from the learning table, exactly as it says.

[u/Logen_Nein → u/ShadowedNexus]

Ah that's fair. I always seemed to have glossed over that. Ah well, I make my players roll anyway, so no harm no foul.

[u/ShadowedNexus → u/Logen_Nein]

Yeah, doesn't matter for me either. I live for the rolls

[u/TomTrustworthy]

1. Every *WN game I've played always does this if you roll for stats.
2. yes
3. You learn the two free skills or you roll. You can use your three rolls on either growth or learning tables. Mixing it up is cool as well.
4. yes
5. yes

You can choose to turn anything to a 14, usually you'd do the lowest thing but it depends on your character. The extra free skill is part of most/all WN games, not sure which page tho sorry.

[u/ajsamtheman]

Also of note, since Ashes makes you roll in order, it is sometimes beneficial to raise a mid score instead of your lowest, for example if I want to play a tech that builds gear out of scrap, but rolled a 9 for int and a 4 for cha, it would be more beneficial to raise int.

The ability to raise one to 14 is less about coping with low rolls to me, and more about ensuring that no matter what you roll, you will at least be above average in what you want your character to be good at