D&D (2024) Sacred Cows: Ability Scores

[Oofta]

I couldn't even tell you at this point.

All I know, is that people are unsatisfied, with everything.

Not all people, but some.

Is that a pot throwing shade on a kettle?

 

[Scribe]

Is that a pot throwing shade on a kettle?

I'm quite clear I believe in what I'm happy or unhappy with. Can't please everyone.

 

[Horwath]

Disagree, I can be strong (able to lift great weight) and have a weak constitution. I think they should remain separate

yes you could be.

But that can be explained by proficiency/expertise in Athletics or powerful build.

And the "constitution" or "resilience" part of Strength can be explained with proficiency in saves, advantage on poisons and/or disease and extra HPs beyond STR mod(dwarf or though feat).

Now you just need to delete charisma and let players decide how much or how little their character is charismatic and/or pretty or ugly or whatever.

Redefine Int, Wis and Cha into Willpower and Cunning.

Willpower manages all spell usage(attack, damage, DCs) and mental spell defence(current int, wis and cha saves).
And Cunning manages all skill usage currently used by Int, Wis and Cha.
More cunning means that you are better at all mental tasks, and proficiency and expertise describe your focused training(or mental preference) and specialized training.

 

[Yaarel]

yes you could be.

But that can be explained by proficiency/expertise in Athletics or powerful build.

And the "constitution" or "resilience" part of Strength can be explained with proficiency in saves, advantage on poisons and/or disease and extra HPs beyond STR mod(dwarf or though feat).

Now you just need to delete charisma and let players decide how much or how little their character is charismatic and/or pretty or ugly or whatever.

Redefine Int, Wis and Cha into Willpower and Cunning.

Willpower manages all spell usage(attack, damage, DCs) and mental spell defence(current int, wis and cha saves).
And Cunning manages all skill usage currently used by Int, Wis and Cha.
More cunning means that you are better at all mental tasks, and proficiency and expertise describe your focused training(or mental preference) and specialized training.

Intelligence (Perception)
Charisma (will, empathy)

Done.

Wisdom is a strictly redundant and incoherent ability.

Charisma has nothing to do with being goodlooking (which works better as a feat with benefits while in line of sight). But Charisma does relate to artistic appeal, as well as all social skills generally, and personal willpower.

The four abilities are:

Strength (big and tough)
Dexterity (athletically mobile)
Intelligence (observant)
Charisma (willful personality)

 

[Minigiant]

But what about a few things like carrying capacity that do use the score? Just make them key off of the bonus, like 99% of the other mechanics that use abilities.

Nah.

The modifiers are too small for the granulation desired for some things.

What, are you gonna lift 100 lbs per +1 in Strength? So you get 100lbs of carry by boosting Strength. How would negative modifiers work?

15 times Score works better than attempting a silly formula just to get it to key off modifiers.

That's the flaw with D&D ability score modifiers. They are tiny and change drastically. Divorced for the d20 and they get weird.

 

[Argyle King]

Intelligence (Perception)
Charisma (will, empathy)

Done.

Wisdom is a strictly redundant and incoherent ability.

Charisma has nothing to do with being goodlooking (which works better as a feat with benefits while in line of sight). But Charisma does relate to artistic appeal, as well as all social skills generally, and personal willpower.

The four abilities are:

Strength (big and tough)
Dexterity (athletically mobile)
Intelligence (observant)
Charisma (willful personality)

yes you could be.

But that can be explained by proficiency/expertise in Athletics or powerful build.

And the "constitution" or "resilience" part of Strength can be explained with proficiency in saves, advantage on poisons and/or disease and extra HPs beyond STR mod(dwarf or though feat).

Now you just need to delete charisma and let players decide how much or how little their character is charismatic and/or pretty or ugly or whatever.

Redefine Int, Wis and Cha into Willpower and Cunning.

Willpower manages all spell usage(attack, damage, DCs) and mental spell defence(current int, wis and cha saves).
And Cunning manages all skill usage currently used by Int, Wis and Cha.
More cunning means that you are better at all mental tasks, and proficiency and expertise describe your focused training(or mental preference) and specialized training.

Some of the other games I play have INT (intelligence) and Will, but have charisma as not being ability score at all.
Instead, it's an advantage which is a separately purchased ability (as is being attractive and such).

It's intriguing to see how many changes people support for D&D which are shades of game systems that people claim to have lesser interest in playing than something with "D&D" on the front of the book.

 

[Horwath]

Nah.

The modifiers are too small for the granulation desired for some things.

What, are you gonna lift 100 lbs per +1 in Strength? So you get 100lbs of carry by boosting Strength. How would negative modifiers work?

15 times Score works better than attempting a silly formula just to get it to key off modifiers.

That's the flaw with D&D ability score modifiers. They are tiny and change drastically. Divorced for the d20 and they get weird.

Your carry capacity is 150lb, add or reduce 30lb per STR bonus/penalty.

 

[Minigiant]

Your carry capacity is 150lb, add or reduce 30lb per STR bonus/penalty.

What happens when you have -4 Strength.

 

[Scribe]

What happens when you have -4 Strength.

You implode.

 

[Minigiant]

You implode.

Wow.

I thought you might go around the integer wheel and get the maximum value liftable Ghandi-style.

(cancels nuke order)