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<blockquote data-quote="Luce" data-source="post: 5926628" data-attributes="member: 29760"><p>While high stats are always desirable it is possible to play PC with some weaknesses. In 2ed DMG there is a section about playing “hopeless” characters that is PC with scores below average (3rd tried to do something similar in an article “Wise As An Ox, Strong As An Owl” drg 284). Since ability scores have to be higher before starting to make a difference in play char with 8 and another with 12 in a non class requisite score were mechanically similar and it fell on the player to rp them differently. In 2ed I had seen fighters with str of 14 and/or wisdom of 8, not in 3rd or at least not for long (they died off). In 4th that would be even more suicidal by RAW. I am not saying one is a better system, just that they make different assumptions. I just like being able to play the stereotypes (too) without being over penalized.(big dim-witted fighter, the old mage with a bad cough)</p><p></p><p>In short I do not that much mind having (some) exceptional starting abilities (16+), but do mind having a large difference between starting and high level characters. Take 3e, in 18 levels a melee PC can get +5 (enchantment, wishes or tomes) +4(from levels) +5 (flame steward PrC) to STR. SO what started as what I see a reasonable STR 16 character turns into a titan wrestling STR 30 monster, before buffs. Yes, yes PrC are optional and the DM is in charge of what he hands out. Still in my (limited) experience the system itself requires it by assuming what the PC are capable of at a given level.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Luce, post: 5926628, member: 29760"] While high stats are always desirable it is possible to play PC with some weaknesses. In 2ed DMG there is a section about playing “hopeless” characters that is PC with scores below average (3rd tried to do something similar in an article “Wise As An Ox, Strong As An Owl” drg 284). Since ability scores have to be higher before starting to make a difference in play char with 8 and another with 12 in a non class requisite score were mechanically similar and it fell on the player to rp them differently. In 2ed I had seen fighters with str of 14 and/or wisdom of 8, not in 3rd or at least not for long (they died off). In 4th that would be even more suicidal by RAW. I am not saying one is a better system, just that they make different assumptions. I just like being able to play the stereotypes (too) without being over penalized.(big dim-witted fighter, the old mage with a bad cough) In short I do not that much mind having (some) exceptional starting abilities (16+), but do mind having a large difference between starting and high level characters. Take 3e, in 18 levels a melee PC can get +5 (enchantment, wishes or tomes) +4(from levels) +5 (flame steward PrC) to STR. SO what started as what I see a reasonable STR 16 character turns into a titan wrestling STR 30 monster, before buffs. Yes, yes PrC are optional and the DM is in charge of what he hands out. Still in my (limited) experience the system itself requires it by assuming what the PC are capable of at a given level. [/QUOTE]
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