Ability scores are generated using a number of methods, the array system is only one of them. Good old rolling is still there. Im a ardent array hater. Rolling ability scores to me is a huge part of the fun of character creation. Had
4E stuck me with arrays I would have had serious issues.
We already have two PC's with low numbers, the halfling rogue has a 6 Str and the Eldarin Wiz a 7 Charisma (which of course as you all know makes for some great roleplaying moments...the guy playing the wizard turned his elf into a comely looking spellslinger who at first glance is the kind of guy you might want to get to know, right up until he opens his mouth and his pompous, know it all, racist, and elitist attitudes spill from his lips). During character creation we also had two players roll natural 18's (the rogue and the warrior). I think the neighbors heard both of them when they rolled they were so excited (Whoohooo, Look at them bones, Boooyah!!!).
The nice thing about the idea behind stat improvement as you level is that you can have your character keep the negatives and improve key stats, or work on his/her weak points (I have a standing house rule as well, if you havent roleplayed a desire to change, or worked on/used a particular stat to an extreme level, you cant change it...even if the
PHB says you get a +1 to the point...period). But stat improvement even as a part of the RAW are not mandatory. They can be removed without affecting the gameplay too much so long as the
DM takes into account making key stat enhancement bonuses available later on with magic items so balance isnt an issue.
MM
*edit* after playing tonight I realized I forgot to add the Dwarf, so that makes three -2 modifiers in the party*
