just one point :Hiya!
All of my friends except for 1 are over 6', ranging from 6'1" to about 6'5" (I'm towering at 5'5" myself). Each one of them is pretty strong based simply on their sheer muscle mass. However, I wouldn't consider them "healthy", per se. So it makes sense to break up STR and CON in my mind. Likewise, the 'short' friend I have (he's about 5'7") isn't very strong, probably average, but he is relatively healthy (into hiking and jogging). So, again, STR and CON being different makes sense.
A guy who has a STR 16 and a CON 8...yeah, sounds like most of my friends...except for the outlier who's probably STR 12, CON 15. Me? I don't even want to think about it...probably STR 10, CON 7 at this point!
^_^
Paul L. Ming
There are plenty of people that are strong but clumsy, dextrous but not muscular. In the real world acrobatics requires both good dexterity and above average strength but D&D over-simplifies just about everything.if anything Strength should be combined with Dexterity in an Atheletics stat that covers the bodies ability to do stuff - dexterity/agility requires as much muscle control as strength does
and constitution doesnt require a person to be particulary adept at hitting things
There are plenty of people that are strong but clumsy, dextrous but not muscular. In the real world acrobatics requires both good dexterity and above average strength but D&D over-simplifies just about everything.
Your original post wonders why they were split. The answer is that they were never split.so, you're a veteran and don't come to my help![]()
Meh. I think there's a place for "Hulk smash" versus Hawkeye. Strength matters for carrying capacity and the ability to wear armor; I think strength should be more important but it is what it is. On the other hand if you ever watch anyone juggle the people are quite dextrous. Are they strong? No correlation.sure but a strong but clumsy person doesnt tend to effective in combat or the other athletics tasks (climbing, jumping, swimming) which is why the combination makes better sense.
Beyond that the Strong element is pretty meaningless in DnD (how many times does bend bars or lift portuculis actually come up?).
every hero in RP has a vicious V and a 12 pack of abs... you know that... For once, I'd love to see someone play 'themselves' in an RP role...I wonder if , in a fantasy setting , there are lots of Body-Builders ( joke )