87

Dirty Meg · 10-18-2004, 09:20 PM

It is well documented that 42 is the meaning to life the universe and everything. But does the number 87 have some special significance in BG world? I ask because even if I waste ages trying to get a decent character roll, I've never got above 87 with any character (I've never tried a paladin, but since they have so many min-reqs I assume it is easier to get a good total).
Why do I get 87s easily, and never get any higher?

Dron_Cah · 10-19-2004, 12:25 AM

I dont know, but 87 is excellent, anyways, so I wouldnt worry about it. I naturally rolled (in P&P) a 80 something once, and I almost pissed myself. Those rolls arent nearly as plentiful as the game makes them seem. Well, not for me, anyways.

RoSs_bg2_rox · 10-19-2004, 05:08 AM

No it shouldn't, however it does take a lot of rolling to get above that. Like Drew said, 87 is a good number. Dont worry, be happy [img]smile.gif[/img]

Iron Greasel · 10-19-2004, 06:32 AM

So, the stats are rolled with 3d6, and there are 6 of them. So the total of dice you'll be rolling is 18d6 and the highest possible roll is 108. The likelihood of that happening should be 1/6¹⁸=1/101559956700000. Thats where it all gets kinda hazy for my limited understanding.

Neomi · 10-19-2004, 08:42 AM

Except that I think the computer actually rolls 4d6 and drops the lowest number or some other similar modification. Which makes the bias slightly in favor of higher scores although I would not dare to attempt calculating any odds.

The highest legitimate roll I've ever gotten was 96 but I'm usually happy if I get 86-90 points to distribute. And in most people's reality, there won't be much difference to your character in the long run if they don't have every stat 15 or better.

Paladins do get an unfair advantage in the total point count (I think that's where I got my 96) because it automatically sets high minimums. The disadvantage is that you're stuck with those high scores and you can't pull some cheese like giving the character a 3 charisma to max out STR, DEX, CON, etc.

Blunderbuss · 10-19-2004, 11:41 AM

Are we talking about the amount of points you get to ditribute amongst the abilities or that and the points already set to the ability. If the former, then I think I should try rolling a few more times!

ZFR · 10-19-2004, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Blunderbuss:
Are we talking about the amount of points you get to ditribute amongst the abilities or that and the points already set to the ability. If the former, then I think I should try rolling a few more times!

you get 0 points to distribute amongst the abilities... you can only take from one ability and give to another... unless I misunderstood you...

SixOfSpades · 10-19-2004, 05:47 PM

The number of points that can be distributed among the abilities is the points that can be moved from 1 stat into another.

The game rolls 4D6 for each stat, and drops the lowest die. Therefore, you are about 24 times more likely to roll a natural 18 than you are to roll a natural 3. Baldur's Gate uses one hell of a munchkin-friendly DM.

Blunderbuss · 10-20-2004, 02:50 PM

I meant if you take all the points off all the abilities that you can, you get an amount of points left to distribute, however you cannot get the abilities down to zero. My query was if it was just the points that you recieve to distribute once you have removed them from all the abilities or whether it meant all the points including those that cannot be taken from the abilities. Though, I believe I have now worked it out to be the latter.

Dron_Cah · 10-20-2004, 03:44 PM

You have deduced correctly, Blunderbuss. When we use the numbers, we are referring to the total of all the stats, not just the movable ones.

10-18-2004, 09:20 PM	#1
Dirty Meg Baaz Draconian Join Date: May 21, 2004 Location: Here, or there abouts. Age: 80 Posts: 703	It is well documented that 42 is the meaning to life the universe and everything. But does the number 87 have some special significance in BG world? I ask because even if I waste ages trying to get a decent character roll, I've never got above 87 with any character (I've never tried a paladin, but since they have so many min-reqs I assume it is easier to get a good total). Why do I get 87s easily, and never get any higher? __________________ A stitch in time is worth two in the bush.

10-19-2004, 05:08 AM	#3
RoSs_bg2_rox Zartan Join Date: May 20, 2003 Location: Near Aberdeen, Scotland Age: 36 Posts: 5,225	No it shouldn't, however it does take a lot of rolling to get above that. Like Drew said, 87 is a good number. Dont worry, be happy [img]smile.gif[/img] __________________ [img]\"http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/ladyzekke/dragonwater2.gif\" alt=\" - \" />

10-19-2004, 06:32 AM	#4
Iron Greasel Fzoul Chembryl Join Date: July 13, 2004 Location: Finland Age: 36 Posts: 1,701	So, the stats are rolled with 3d6, and there are 6 of them. So the total of dice you'll be rolling is 18d6 and the highest possible roll is 108. The likelihood of that happening should be 1/6¹⁸=1/101559956700000. Thats where it all gets kinda hazy for my limited understanding. __________________

10-19-2004, 08:42 AM	#5
Neomi Zhentarim Guard Join Date: January 28, 2004 Location: Houston, TX Age: 53 Posts: 312	Except that I think the computer actually rolls 4d6 and drops the lowest number or some other similar modification. Which makes the bias slightly in favor of higher scores although I would not dare to attempt calculating any odds. The highest legitimate roll I've ever gotten was 96 but I'm usually happy if I get 86-90 points to distribute. And in most people's reality, there won't be much difference to your character in the long run if they don't have every stat 15 or better. Paladins do get an unfair advantage in the total point count (I think that's where I got my 96) because it automatically sets high minimums. The disadvantage is that you're stuck with those high scores and you can't pull some cheese like giving the character a 3 charisma to max out STR, DEX, CON, etc. __________________ \"Though we name the things we know, we do not necessarily know the things we name.\" -Homer W. Smith

10-19-2004, 05:47 PM	#8
SixOfSpades Dracolisk Join Date: September 16, 2001 Location: Bellingham, WA, USA Age: 48 Posts: 6,901	The number of points that can be distributed among the abilities is the points that can be moved from 1 stat into another. The game rolls 4D6 for each stat, and drops the lowest die. Therefore, you are about 24 times more likely to roll a natural 18 than you are to roll a natural 3. Baldur's Gate uses one hell of a munchkin-friendly DM. __________________ Volothamp's Comeuppance Everything you ever needed to know about the entire Baldur's Gate series......except spoilers.

10-19-2004, 12:25 AM	#2
Dron_Cah Horus - Egyptian Sky God Join Date: March 2, 2003 Location: Kentucky Age: 39 Posts: 2,637	I dont know, but 87 is excellent, anyways, so I wouldnt worry about it. I naturally rolled (in P&P) a 80 something once, and I almost pissed myself. Those rolls arent nearly as plentiful as the game makes them seem. Well, not for me, anyways.

10-19-2004, 11:41 AM	#6
Blunderbuss Zhentarim Guard Join Date: October 11, 2004 Location: England Posts: 328	Are we talking about the amount of points you get to ditribute amongst the abilities or that and the points already set to the ability. If the former, then I think I should try rolling a few more times!

10-20-2004, 02:50 PM	#9
Blunderbuss Zhentarim Guard Join Date: October 11, 2004 Location: England Posts: 328	I meant if you take all the points off all the abilities that you can, you get an amount of points left to distribute, however you cannot get the abilities down to zero. My query was if it was just the points that you recieve to distribute once you have removed them from all the abilities or whether it meant all the points including those that cannot be taken from the abilities. Though, I believe I have now worked it out to be the latter.

10-20-2004, 03:44 PM	#10
Dron_Cah Horus - Egyptian Sky God Join Date: March 2, 2003 Location: Kentucky Age: 39 Posts: 2,637	You have deduced correctly, Blunderbuss. When we use the numbers, we are referring to the total of all the stats, not just the movable ones.

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