D&D 5E Game design allow sub optimal class build. Confirmed by M Mearls

[Corwin]

Depends on the class but usually intelligence, charisma or strength.

But you've gimped yourself. How is this any different? Other than choosing where to be gimped? You seem to be saying its okay to gimp yourself, as long as it isn't in the combat pillar. Unless you can explain, what is the difference?

You can compensate via spells up to a point (enhance ability and guidance).

Can you though? The NPCs, you are interacting with, are cool with your cleric casting guidance on another PC during the conversation? Really?

And enhance ability helps the 12 strength fighter to trip, push, grapple, and/or avoid those things as well. So that spell compensates for him to a point as well.

 

[not-so-newguy]

Ya' see? These are the type of problems that arise when you don't use randomly assigned stats.


#randomrolling_with_the_homies

 

[Satyrn]

Ya' see? These are the type of problems that arise when you don't use randomly assigned stats.


#randomrolling_with_the_homies

#oh_its_so_much_worse_than_that

These are the type of problems that arise when you play D&D.

 

[Zardnaar]

But you've gimped yourself. How is this any different? Other than choosing where to be gimped? You seem to be saying its okay to gimp yourself, as long as it isn't in the combat pillar. Unless you can explain, what is the difference?


Can you though? The NPCs, you are interacting with, are cool with your cleric casting guidance on another PC during the conversation? Really?

And enhance ability helps the 12 strength fighter to trip, push, grapple, and/or avoid those things as well. So that spell compensates for him to a point as well.

Blowing a social pillar roll doesn't generally get you killed. Also some else can handle that most of the time. You can also help out using the help action.

In combat giving up your turn or expecting others to carry you in a life and death situation is a bit different.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Blowing a social pillar roll doesn't generally get you killed. Also some else can handle that most of the time. You can also help out using the help action.

In combat giving up your turn or expecting others to carry you in a life and death situation is a bit different.

Hmmh... I think blowing a social roll is exactly what may get you killed. You may have only a single chance to convince the guard not to call for his friends.
In the fight afterwards it usually does not matter if on of 5 persons in one of 20 attacks does not hit because he has a 12 insteaf of a 14.

 

[Zardnaar]

Hmmh... I think blowing a social roll is exactly what may get you killed. You may have only a single chance to convince the guard not to call for his friends.
In the fight afterwards it usually does not matter if on of 5 persons in one of 20 attacks does not hit because he has a 12 insteaf of a 14.

You can try and kill the guard adap fight the reinforcement,so, run away or use magic to run away. Still a bit different than ducking in every fight.

 

[Maxperson]

Wow. Sarcastic are we? I thought it goes without saying that he also adds his proficiency bonus. And if you read further, you would have seen that I talked about the damage part that is not so great. 1d8+1 may result in rolls as low as 2 and never reaches 10 damage. Even though 30% less damage is ok in 5e, it may result in frustration if bad rolls happen on the most unlucky time.
Hey you hit the kobold with 3 hp. I hit... 2 damage. With d8+3 that can't happen.
So please read the entire post before jumping to conclusions.

There is a lot more to the game than combat. If combat is your primary goal with the game, then yes, lower stats will make things worse for you. If it's not your primary goal, the -2 is fairly irrelevant.

 

[Maxperson]

Spoken like someone who hasn't played Civilization.

View attachment 77791

LOL No kidding. I knew I was in for many wars and backstabbings whenever Ghandi showed up. I think one of the programmers was having some fun at his and our expense

 

[OB1]

Hmmh... I think blowing a social roll is exactly what may get you killed. You may have only a single chance to convince the guard not to call for his friends.
In the fight afterwards it usually does not matter if on of 5 persons in one of 20 attacks does not hit because he has a 12 insteaf of a 14.

Well said! In my campaign PCs won't have a chance of staying under their daily encounter guidelines and accomplishing their objective if they don't perform well in the social and exploration pillars. Too many unnecessary fights leads to bad things happening, no matter how maxed in combat one of my players is.

 

[AaronOfBarbaria]

Blowing a social pillar roll doesn't generally get you killed.

I just want you to know that your statement which I have quoted here is equal in how true it is to my following statement:

Being the least contributing member of a party in a combat doesn't generally get you killed.