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General Tabletop Discussion
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Where does optimizing end and min-maxing begin? And is min-maxing a bad thing?
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<blockquote data-quote="Shiroiken" data-source="post: 7056743" data-attributes="member: 6775477"><p>Found the problem! If the DM has a problem with optimized ability scores, he shouldn't allow point buy (which is pretty much geared towards it). Most characters really only need 1 high score and 2 medium scores (Con being one of them), so the other three can be ignored/minimized. This is why I only use rolled ability scores or standard array. If has such an issue with it, he needs to change the base point buy system (such as forcing only 1 or 2 scores to remain at 8).</p><p></p><p>As for the concept, most of it's semantics. Everything is a level of optimization, from deliberately pathetic to Timmy the PowerGamer, so minmaxing, powergaming, and optimizing pretty much all mean the same thing. The acceptability levels are going to vary from person to person and group to group. In 5E the difference in an "optimal" character and the average character aren't going to be great enough to unbalance the game (even if the optimal character ends the average day with slightly more HP/resources remaining), but some DMs don't like that the "optimized" character seldom seems challenged (even if they are).</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Shiroiken, post: 7056743, member: 6775477"] Found the problem! If the DM has a problem with optimized ability scores, he shouldn't allow point buy (which is pretty much geared towards it). Most characters really only need 1 high score and 2 medium scores (Con being one of them), so the other three can be ignored/minimized. This is why I only use rolled ability scores or standard array. If has such an issue with it, he needs to change the base point buy system (such as forcing only 1 or 2 scores to remain at 8). As for the concept, most of it's semantics. Everything is a level of optimization, from deliberately pathetic to Timmy the PowerGamer, so minmaxing, powergaming, and optimizing pretty much all mean the same thing. The acceptability levels are going to vary from person to person and group to group. In 5E the difference in an "optimal" character and the average character aren't going to be great enough to unbalance the game (even if the optimal character ends the average day with slightly more HP/resources remaining), but some DMs don't like that the "optimized" character seldom seems challenged (even if they are). [/QUOTE]
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Where does optimizing end and min-maxing begin? And is min-maxing a bad thing?
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