D&D (2024) Using general Feats when your ability is already 20

[Flights of Fancy]

But the reverse is even more true - putting the extra +1 on an ability they rarely use is noticable even less and in some cases not at all.

Ok, you need to be a bit clearer. If you are referring to my suggestion that the +1 ASI goes to the lowest ability because CHA (in this case) is already maxed out, I don't expect it to be terribly useful. You've already maxed out CHA, so instead of the +1 ASI being completely wasted, put it where it will likely do the least good, but give them something instead of losing it completely.

If you aren't talking about that point, please explain what you are talking about.

 

[ECMO3]

Ok, you need to be a bit clearer. If you are referring to my suggestion that the +1 ASI goes to the lowest ability because CHA (in this case) is already maxed out, I don't expect it to be terribly useful. You've already maxed out CHA, so instead of the +1 ASI being completely wasted, put it where it will likely do the least good, but give them something instead of losing it completely.

If you aren't talking about that point, please explain what you are talking about.

I think I am just going to go with RAW. He can take the feat but does not get any +1.

 

[aco175]

The 20 cap limits this though. It is marginally significant through 8 levels, but not after that when anyone on point buy can have a 20 in their preferred stat.

Maybe if the thread a few months ago about length of campaigns only lasting until level 7 overlaps with this. It is still not that big of a boost, but it might be noticeable.

 

[dave2008]

I think the game is most fun when using the 1E Uneathed Arcana method for rolling. This leads to very high scores overall, but you don't choose where to put your highest score.

You pick your class and then roll different numbers of dice depending on the class choice but you can't change your dice. If your Champion rolls 3 sixes on Intelligence he has an 18 Intelligence and no ability to move that to Strength or Dexterity.

That sounds like it could be un for a 1-shot, but I wouldn't want to run a whole campaign with a character I didn't want.

 

[Flights of Fancy]

I think I am just going to go with RAW. He can take the feat but does not get any +1.

It seems needlessly punishing the player though. If you allow rolling scores, I think you should anticipate PCs will start with 20s on occassion. Then when they get to take a feat, they gain only "half" the benefit of the feat because they are denied the ASI...

Had the player rolled a 17 instead of an 18, then they would gain the benefit of going from 19 to 20. So, you're penalizing them for rolling well???

That is why I suggested their lowest ability gets the +1. They still gain some benefit, but don't get to choose where it goes. In my opinion, a "free floating" +1 is way more useful, so I would never go with that route personally.

But ultimately, you do you. If the played is cool with it, no worries.

 

[aco175]

You could always just let them go to 21 since there is no benefit. Well, unless it is STR and lots of draining creatures about.

 

[bedir than]

I have actually not played a single 2024 game that is Standard Array since the 2024 rules tied Standard Array to class (in a fashion that is not ideal I would add).

It's merely a suggestion, not anything that someone must do.

If you’re using the Standard Array option, consult the Standard Array by Class table for suggestions on where to assign scores for your character’s class. The table puts the highest scores in a class’s main abilities. If you used a different method to generate the scores, you may still use this table to guide where you place your highest and lowest scores.

https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/br-2024/creating-a-character#Step3DetermineAbilityScores

The table is merely a guide. It's clearly designed for people new to the game.

 

[Micah Sweet]

It's merely a suggestion, not anything that someone must do.

https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/br-2024/creating-a-character#Step3DetermineAbilityScores

The table is merely a guide. It's clearly designed for people new to the game.

The game is clearly designed for people new to the game.

 

[ECMO3]

That sounds like it could be un for a 1-shot, but I wouldn't want to run a whole campaign with a character I didn't want.

To be clear I don't use this often any more. I only have one game I am DMing that uses this but that same group used to use it all the time in 1E (and that group went right from 1E to 5E in 2016).

I've never seen a character that is weak in their proimary stats using this method. It generates VERY high ability scores overall.

In 40 years of using this method, I've never seen below a 13 in the primary ability (before the +2 you get in 5E/2024), so you are not locked out of anything and being above 15 (before the +2) is more common than being below 15.

Given the choice between a Fighter with a 16 strength and an 8 Intelligence or a 16 Strength and a 17 Intelligence, few people are going to choose the former or say they do not "want" the later.

Here is a party of characters for a 2014 5E game I am DMing that used this method:

Rolled 1st level as a Fighter:

D&D Beyond Character Sheet

The World's most intelligent Dungeons and Dragons Character Sheet.

www.dndbeyond.com

Rolled 1st level as a Barbarian:

D&D Beyond Character Sheet

The World's most intelligent Dungeons and Dragons Character Sheet.

www.dndbeyond.com

Rolled 1st level as a Sorcerer:

D&D Beyond Character Sheet

The World's most intelligent Dungeons and Dragons Character Sheet.

www.dndbeyond.com

Rolled 1st level as a Rogue:

D&D Beyond Character Sheet

The World's most intelligent Dungeons and Dragons Character Sheet.

www.dndbeyond.com

 

[ECMO3]

The table is merely a guide. It's clearly designed for people new to the game.

I stand corrected. I guess we saw the table and though "why would anyone ever use that".