I notice the 5e version is far more combat worthy, got Cantrip widgets, and almost emulates 2e Thief & NWP skills. The 2e advantage is those skills are considered professional level, and no real need for rolling out menial and moderate tasks. Also, 2e gave me a clear pre-req and got on with the chargen, the low stats in general not having that great a negative effect. Whereas I had to backwards engineer 5e by race/class/background bonuses to get something more viable, as stat mods and proficiency bonus manipulation is key.

5e still feels very WotC in chargen construction, as I still feel I have to construct backwards. I am surprised how much we have overlooked the stat mod progression, and its integrated usage everywhere, in WotC D&D criticisms. Inflationary treadmill is a good description. However, compared to 3e Voltron-esque multi-class dabbling, and 4e "must sport an 18 or pair of 16s to ride," it emulates TSR characters with less fuss.

The power curve is still high for me. But I'll have to play more to get a sense how this power level's perspective will shape setting. Again, a little too tightly calibrated to easily shuffle in new settings and adjust reception. Yet considering WotC's previous works, this might be a marked improvement.

7, 7, 15, 11, 13, 14

Five odd numbers, human is the obvious race choice. I decided to fashion my own Peace Domain to see how easy it is. So far the template is: bonus profs, 1st lvl power, bonus spells. I tried to tap material already extant, hence net weapon prof and fighter style - protection.

Human Cleric, Acolyte Mediator
Lvl 1, Prof +2. Saves: WIS, CHA. Alg: LG
HD: d8. HP: 11.  AC: 13 (15 w/ shield)

STR 8 (-1), DEX 8 (-1), CON 16 (3), INT 12 (1), WIS 14 (2), CHA 15 (2)

Skills: History +3, Insight (bkrd) +4, Perform (domn) +4,  Persuade +4, Religion (bkrd) +4

Tools: none.

Peace Domain: Bonus Prof - Net, Perform. "Break It Up" - Protection Fight Style
Spells - 1st. Command, Sanctuary

Spells DC: 12. Spell Atk: +4.
Slots: at-will/2. Prep: 3+Domain (Command, Sanctuary)
Cantrips - Guidance, Spare the Dying, Thaumaturgy.
1st - usually Bless, Healing Word, Shield of Faith.

Background: Acolyte. Specialty: Mediator, +2 Lang. Feature: Faithful's Shelter
Pers: empathetic. Ideal: charity. Bond: grateful orphan. Flaw: obsessive.
Gear: Holy Symbol, Scripture, 5x Incense, Vestments, Common Clothes, pouch +15 gp.

Wealth : 5d4x10 gp. Roll 17. 170+15 gp. Spent: 110 gp. Left: 75 gp.

Armor: Scale Mail - 50 gp, AC 14+DEX. Shield - 10 gp, AC +2.
Weapon:
Dagger - 2gp. +1 atk, 1d4-1, finesse, light, thrown (rng 20/60)
20x Dart - 5 cp. +1 atk, 1d4-1, finesse, thrown (rng 20/60)
3x Net - 1 gp. +1 atk, —. special, thrown (rng 5/15)

Gear: Explorer's Pack - 10 gp, Abacus - 2 gp, 5x Ball Bearings - 1 gp, 3x Caltrops - 1 gp, Lamp - 5 sp, 5x Oil - 1 sp, Manacles - 2 gp, Donkey - 8 gp, Pack Saddle - 5 gp, Trade Goods (flour, salt, spices) - 12 gp.

Style/Bio: "Let's make cookies instead!" Determined pacifist who would rather make friends than enemies. Uses Protection style to break up fights, along with skills to befriend. When more force is needed Command, Thaumaturgy, and nets/balls/caltrops are employed. The other weapons are mostly to distract opponents, not for lethal force.

Because the stats can make a bard, I made one. And one that's sort of against type. Hangs out in taverns, gets into brawls — and often loses if it wasn't for friends — and drinks and gossips like the rest. Etiquette allows him to blend with the crowd and talk nice out of trouble. Studded leather armor has patches with associations.

2e Bar Fly Bard
1st Lvl, HD d6, HP 5   AC 7

STR 7.  -1 atk, wgt 20, prs 55, opn 4%
DEX 13.
CON 11.  shk 75%, rez 80%
INT 14.   lng 4, SLv 7th, Lrn 60%,
WIS 7.   mag -1
CHA 15.   hnc 7,  loy +3, rct +3

PPD 13, RSW 14, Pet/Poly 12, Brth 15, Spll 16

Thief Skills, Limited Armor, All Weapons, Some Spells.
Starting Wealth: 2d6x10. Roll 5. 50 gp

Studded Leather, cuz it's cool.

OPTION
WP: Punching Spec., Club.
NWP: Brew, Etiquette, Local History.

Bio: 6'3", 193 lbs., 21 yrs. Lives like a hellion, trying to brew the best beer and live it up.

All of this serves to remind me why I like BX so much even today.

You could roll really crummy and still have a viable character.

Quote from: honesttiago;766012Inspiration=the carrot mentality.  Probably the right approach to get player investment but for some reason reminds me of students who want extra credit for fulfilling expectations.

"So what you want, a COOKIE?"
-Chris Rock