D&D 5E Where does optimizing end and min-maxing begin? And is min-maxing a bad thing?

[Corwin]

Based on some rolled stat characters I've seen - an RP concept that absolutely requires that no stat be lower than 16. Because your character is a hero out of legend, even at level 1. Purely for RP purposes, of course.

Conversely, if you want to RP as the Legendary Hero's sidekick, you may want to have no stat higher than a 14 and most of them at 10 or below. Can't do that with the stat array either.

Well, I don't consider either example to be an RP concept. I guess we have different ideas of what 'RP concept' means. You can absolutely achieve a valid "hero out of legend", or even "hero's sidekick", using standard array, IMO. AFAIC, descriptors do not usually equate directly to RP concept. YMMV.

Regardless. No, you shouldn't, in good faith, being asking to play "omnipotent god", for example. Or other specific descriptors that exceed, or violate, the expected baselines the system assumes. Unless it is understood in advance. But then I'd have to ask why such a group is using standard array in the first place.

 

[hejtmane]

I'm surprised the optimizers didn't take that person under their wing and help.

It's a great way to show off system knowledge - 'take this class, multi class into this one next level, and choose this domain and Goodberry heals 40 points!'

Oh joy I remember the gripes when I think mearls confirmed that; i actually forgot that one baha but the funny thing everyone only thinks of two classes to go with that class but forget that a bard can do the same thing with book of secrets just to blow peoples mind

 

[Caliban]

Well, I don't consider either example to be an RP concept. I guess we have different ideas of what 'RP concept' means. You can absolutely achieve a valid "hero out of legend", or even "hero's sidekick", using standard array, IMO. AFAIC, descriptors do not usually equate directly to RP concept. YMMV.

Regardless. No, you shouldn't, in good faith, being asking to play "omnipotent god", for example. Or other specific descriptors that exceed, or violate, the expected baselines the system assumes. Unless it is understood in advance. But then I'd have to ask why such a group is using standard array in the first place.

Hey, you asked. Just because you don't like the answer doesn't mean it's not true.

 

[Corwin]

Hey, you asked. Just because you don't like the answer doesn't mean it's not true.

Sorry, not IMO. I'm not a part of the participation trophy, "no wrong answers", generation.

 

[Caliban]

Sorry, not IMO. I'm not a part of the participation trophy, "no wrong answers", generation.

And yet the characters I mentioned actually do exist, and people do use that justification for them.

 

[Corwin]

And yet the characters I mentioned actually do exist...

Strawman or maybe goalpost moving? Either way, the question was not about characters. It was about RP concepts. Concepts. Not characters.

...and people do use that justification for them.

I'm glad you chose the word, 'justification'. Well said.

 

[Caliban]

Strawman or maybe goalpost moving? Either way, the question was not about characters. It was about RP concepts. Concepts. Not characters.

You did not specify "good" or even "legitimate" RP concepts. Just concepts.

I'm glad you chose the word, 'justification'. Well said.

Thank you.

 

[The Crimson Binome]

Based on some rolled stat characters I've seen - an RP concept that absolutely requires that no stat be lower than 16. Because your character is a hero out of legend, even at level 1. Purely for RP purposes, of course.

The first time I played 4E, when I saw that the default array had no stats that were below average, I made an elf (with purple eyes) and named them Marisu.

 

[Satyrn]

The first time I played 4E, when I saw that the default array had no stats that were below average, I made an elf with purple eyes and named them Marisu.

Well that's different. The eyes aren't a body part that usually get named.

 

[Tony Vargas]

an RP concept that absolutely requires that no stat be lower than 16. Because your character is a hero out of legend, even at
...
Conversely, if you want to RP as the Legendary Hero's sidekick, you may want to have no stat higher than a 14 and most of them at 10 or below. Can't do that with the stat array either. Point buy puts all the PC's on the same level, stat-wise.

Nod. And, really, at bottom those're just the kinds of concessions game makes to being played by a group, rather than a solo player & DM. Class is another.