finarvyn wrote:
Pilgrim has a good point. You might just try "roll 4d6 keep 3" as an alternative. It'll keep things easier than having to tinker with base numbers and it shouldn't unbalance anything much. You can decide if "in order" is appropriate or not; if you let them arrange the final numbers it would allow for customization a lot like what you proposed originally.
HERE'S ANTHER TWIST:
Have your characters roll 3d6 to generate a set of stats and arrange them in the order they like. Have then write down the values of each die instead of just the total number. (This gives a set of random base numbers similar to your original suggestion.) Then, once the numbers have been placed, the player gets to roll 1d6 one stat at a time in order. If the d6 is higher than the low die in the actual stat roll then you replace it, if not the stat stays.
This is a lot like your original concept, but makes the base numbers more random and essentially uses the 4d6 approach but not until after base numbers have been placed.
Just a thought.

Your option is indeed similar in scope to what I proposed. However, when two mechanics both accomplish efficiently the same scope I tend to prefer the one that involves less rolls and less book-keeping, if you get what i mean.
Option A rolls 6d6 and keeps track of only 12 numbers (6 base values and 6 results)
Option B rolls 24d6 and keeps track of 24 numbers
But it's up to personal taste. It's already good enough that my idea of "semi-random" stats has not been classified as utterly stupid and useless

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PS: I wanted to try and generate a warrior with both "options", I leave any consideration to you all. I kept the same "modifying" dice rolls.
Warrior A
STR 12 + (2) = 14
AGL 10 + (2) = 12
STA 11 + (4) = 15
PER 8 + (4) = 12
INT 6 + (2) = 8
LUC 7 + (3) = 10
Warrior B (2,4,2-1,5,5-2,6,1-6,4,3-5,5,6-6,4,2)
STR 5,5,6 +(2) = 16
AGL 6,4,2 +(2) = 12
STA 6,4,3 +(4) = 14
PER 5,5,1 +(4) = 14
INT 2,4,2 +(2) = 8
LUC 2,6,1 +(3) = 11
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And if anyone was wondering, I think the idea could be applied with lower base values, to create proper "3d6" characters. I think 10,9,8,7,6,5 could do. Or 9,8,7,6,5,4 if you feel really hardcore. At least you won't get a warrior with a STR or STA penalty.