Recent content by Scott Christian

And that is the crux of the argument right there. What you consider balanced is an absolute myth. An extra +1 at character creation does not throw off the balance of the game. It barely registers. There are dozens of other factors that determine balance far more than an extra +1 at character...

I am not against customization of backgrounds. Talk with your DM. I know, that if I were DMing, I would allow it. That is not a logical fallacy. The game does not break if you allow the customized background, and the player gets their extra +1. The game does not break if you do not allow a...

Oh, I agree, it is probably about 1%. But I am giving the 5% just because the game uses a 20-sided die. It's an oversimplification, and leans heavily into things being static, which you and I both know, they are not. I just would hate to see what these players complain about if they had to, oh...

For the record, that is not my claim. That is not my argument. I have been very clear about my claim. Players who want this simply want a +1. They need to state that, and stop masquerading it behind other reasons. It was the same for ASIs attached to species. And two, an extra +1 over the...

That's a fair point. We don't know. And I already conceded that my opinion may not match most players. The truth is, we don't know. Not you, nor I. Ok. So they're adults. And your game is focused on all three pillars of the game: roleplaying, exploration, and combat. (As for playing with many...

There are millions of people playing this game. This forum by no means represents the majority. That's like me saying, "Most players I know like the 2024 rules more than the 2014. They agree the game is way better, especially character creation." What I say, and the people I know, does not make...

Those stats are so broken, I have no idea where you got them. The difference here, in this thread, is between starting a character with an extra +1. That's it. A +1 difference is nominal at best. A fighter swinging with an extra +1 scores an extra hit 5% more often. So provided they hit 60%...

I know for me, I argued against removing the ASI for the same reason I argue now. It boils down to people just wanting a +1. That's it. Starting with a 15 instead of a 16 does not alter the game, nor does it alter your play/output by any significant difference. Therefore, I am happy to let...

That's fair. It should probably be called character optimization, not min/maxing. And nothing breaks if players can customize backgrounds. But the opposite of that is true as well - nothing breaks if players have to choose pre-made backgrounds from the PHB.

I absolutely admit it means something. It does. However, it doesn't mean enough to call the new system "screwed up." It doesn't mean enough to want to change a system that works for millions of players. Are they 14 years-old? Do you play using all three pillars? Does the DM do a good job...

Again, incorrect. You don't need to be careful because an extra +1 doesn't mean that much. This is especially true at higher levels. And on top of that, it completely ignores the other benefits one gets from having a bonus in a tertiary ability. The same was true when ASIs were tied to species...

Your guard can be charismatic. If you are using point buy, you place your 15 or 14 in charisma. You are now a strong social guard. You want a strong merchant, do the same but place it in strength. But you won't do this because you want, or rather feel a need, to have that extra +1. And that...

How? I think what you meant to say was: "It's almost as if these fixed background-ASI-feat combos don't allow me to min/max my character the way I want."

No, even at lower levels it's not a big deal. It's called having a variety of encounters and role playing a story. If one person dominates all combat encounters, then it is quite obvious that the encounters are not balanced nor varietal. Everyone always insists the +1 makes a HUGE difference -...

I can't believe we are about to revive the +1 debate again! No one notices the difference over the course of a session whether your character has a +2 or +3. You notice because you "feel it." Playing "second fiddle" is absolutely a ridiculous argument. I have seen people acquire greater output...