D&D 4E 4e: Stats of Stat Bonus?

JoeGKushner

Adventurer

• Aug 21, 2007

• #1

So one of the things I think True 20 did great, was got rid of the 3-18 scale.

In previous editions, different classes received different bonuses for stats.

In previous editions, stats had different bonuses even if the number was the same. A 16 in dex was not the same as a 16 in strength.

Now there is a formula (10-stat/2 round down.)

It's not the most confusing thing, but really, isn't it better to just have the stat be the number as opposed to having a number that calculates the stat, the number you really need anyway?

Is that actual stat number itself used for anything?

 

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Abisashi

First Post

• Aug 21, 2007

• #2

JoeGKushner said:

Is that actual stat number itself used for anything?

Click to expand...

Feat prerequisites, ability damage/drain, and exactly how much you can carry are three things that use the increased granularity of stats and bonuses being sepperate. Losing this granularity wouldn't be a big deal in my opinion, but I wouldn't mind if it stayed, either.

D20 modern uses it for damage threshold (does Star Wars Saga? I don't recall). I think old star wars used it for the number of wound points you had.

 

Masquerade

First Post

• Aug 21, 2007

• #3

JoeGKushner said:

Is that actual stat number itself used for anything?

Click to expand...

In 3.X, only encumbrance and ability damage/drain IIRC.

edit - And prerequisites. Thanks, Abisashi.

 

Szatany

First Post

• Aug 21, 2007

• #4

JoeGKushner said:

Is that actual stat number itself used for anything?

Click to expand...

Yes, encumbrance

I would be glad if they got rid of ability score and left modifier only (and renamed it to something else than Ability - abilities are those special things you can do, like darkvision or SR). As for ability damage, you could just state that when it reaches -5, or -10, or whatever, you are down. Different limits could exist for different characters - it would actually allow the game to present a cat or a frog the way it should be (with Str of -20 for example).

 

Wormwood

Adventurer

• Aug 21, 2007

• #5

1. That's how I do attributes in my home games.
2. That particular sacred cow will never change. I can only imagine the howls of nerd rage.

 

outsider

First Post

• Aug 21, 2007

• #6

I doubt they are ready to slaughter that sacred cow yet. They can only get away with slaughtering a few in each edition, and this one doesn't actually harm gameplay at all, so I can't see it being a priority.

 

Thornir Alekeg

Albatross!

• Aug 21, 2007

• #7

I'm not familiar with how True 20 does the stats. The only reason I can see for maintaining the 3-18 scale is to maintain the stat spread for those who still prefer to roll 3d6 for their stats and aren't as concerned about playing a "heroic" game. That gives you the distribution curve that makes 3 and 18 rare and 8-11 fairly common.

It would be just as easy to roll the dice, apply the formula to it at character creation and never write down the number rolled.

In the end it is a major sacred cow. After 28 years of playing D&D it would be strange to say "I have a +4 Strength" instead of "I have an 18 Strength." Of course "+4 Strength" actually has some meaning so I would adjust quickly enough, I'm sure.

 

Aus_Snow

First Post

• Aug 21, 2007

• #8

JoeGKushner said:

Is that actual stat number itself used for anything?

Click to expand...

Carrying capacity, running, holding your breath. . .

Uh. . .

Yeah, lots.

I hear ya, but it so ain't gonna happen.

 

The Human Target

Adventurer

• Aug 21, 2007

• #9

If you look up sacred cow in the dictionary, theres a picture of the "numbers to represent numbers" idea right next to it.

They provide nothing to the game that can't easily be done another way.

I hope they ax em.

 

Masquerade

First Post

• Aug 21, 2007

• #10

Thornir Alekeg said:

The only reason I can see for maintaining the 3-18 scale is to maintain the stat spread for those who still prefer to roll 3d6 for their stats and aren't as concerned about playing a "heroic" game.

Click to expand...

Wow. I had actually forgotten that rolling stats was the default assumption in 3.X.

Now that Thornir points it out, I imagine this is the reason that ability scores have stuck around.