D&D 5E (2024) The impact of reducing Ability Scores?

[TheSword]

5.5 is criticized as being the most powerful edition of the game so far. Which might be challenge if you want to play in something like a Ravenloft campaign, where unbridled heroic power might limit the options for interesting encounters. If you are looking for something lower power which doesn’t limit your characters ability to progress, how does the following sound as an option?

Much of heroic power is tied to ability scores - HP, damage dealt, saving throws, spell DC etc. While at the same time multi-ability score dependency has become less prevalent with the many subclasses and spells that grant primary ability scores to damage and to hit.

You could just reduce the points buy but another option is to increase the cost of higher points. Keep your 27 point buy but have stats start at 7 instead of eight and increase the scaling.

8 - 1 point
9 - 2 points
10 - 3 points
11 - 5 points
12 - 7 points
13 - 9 points
14 - 11 points

This will give you and average of 10-11 and allow people to push their stats to a maximum of 16 (with background bonus) but only if they trade in some significant weakness elsewhere.

I guess the question is what would the consequences of this be? Would everyone just drop Charisma and Intelligence and you’d end up a party of Neanderthals. Or would niche protection become a bigger thing as players specialize in one area alone?

Would having a primary ability score two points lower put you off playing the game, if everyone else is in the same boat? For the purposes of the discussion if you’re looking for a heroic game then obviously this isn’t going to be something you would want, so that kinda goes without saying.

 

[CreamCloud0]

I guess the question is what would the consequences of this be? Would everyone just drop Charisma and Intelligence and you’d end up a party of Neanderthals.

most probably yeah, main scores wouldn't decrease much if at all from what they are now but you'd get far more dumping of non-essential tertiary stats, as well as a likely uptick in SAD classes and builds.

 

[TheSword]

most probably yeah, main scores wouldn't decrease much if at all from what they are now but you'd get far more dumping of non-essential tertiary stats, as well as a likely uptick in SAD classes and builds.

Main scores would drop simply because of the 14 max starting point.

Though pushing for that 14 would have a greater opportunity cost, so more vulnerabilities in other areas. Less covering all bases. That spellcaster now has to make a harder choice between Dex and Con than they did before.

Are any classes particularly disadvantaged to you think?

 

[Frozen_Heart]

Would having a primary ability score two points lower put you off playing the game, if everyone else is in the same boat? For the purposes of the discussion if you’re looking for a heroic game then obviously this isn’t going to be something you would want, so that kinda goes without saying.

I've always felt that 1st level characters are both too powerful, and too squishy. I enjoy the 'zero to hero' trope, rather than starting as superheroes from level 1.

With regular point buy the lowest you're allowed is an 8, which isn't even a real weakness. It's just a bit below average. Knocking down starting scores would probably make me more interested in playing rather than less.

 

[TheSword]

I've always felt that 1st level characters are both too powerful, and too squishy. I enjoy the 'zero to hero' trope, rather than starting as superheroes from level 1.

With regular point buy the lowest you're allowed is an 8, which isn't even a real weakness. It's just a bit below average. Knocking down starting scores would probably make me more interested in playing rather than less.

Remember when starting stats could be low as 3!

 

[aco175]

What do people do today? There are people that need to min/max the scores to get the 20 whatever at 1st level and have 18s in 3 other scores. Then there are those that think 14 is rather powerful. Seems like the same thing will happen. Some tables will grant stat boosts every 3 levels or even every 2, or keep the every 4 levels but give 4 points instead of just 2.

Seems like a fine enough way to play and PCs will just miss more and take more damage and maybe need to flee more often. Maybe encounters will be bland and the party meets just one goblin to fight instead of three.

 

[TheSword]

I think the lower end scores. The 7s could be accompanied by an additional roleplaying Flaw. Something that if brought to the table could result in Inspiration being granted,

 

[CreamCloud0]

Main scores would drop simply because of the 14 max starting point.

Though pushing for that 14 would have a greater opportunity cost, so more vulnerabilities in other areas. Less covering all bases. That spellcaster now has to make a harder choice between Dex and Con than they did before.

a harder choice for a wizard to pick between DEX and CON yes, but a far easier one for STR, CHA and WIS.

Are any classes particularly disadvantaged to you think?

well like i said, MAD classes mostly, monks have always been terrible for MAD, rangers i think would too and generally i think STR builds will fall off in favour of DEX ones or prioritizing your mental stat if your class keys off one of those too.

 

[el-remmen]

In the homebrew 5e I’ve been working on I control ability scores by

1. Limiting ability scores to 18 max (until 6th level - my rules hacks levels down to just 10, so that is halfway through a campaign)

2. Using a stat draft array that makes sure no one can have an 18 to start without using their 1st level ASI.

 

[TwoSix]

I would be fine with it as long as the max cap for stats is at 16, not 20.

The problem with starting at lower stats is that it puts more pressure on you to take ASIs because of mechanical need instead of fun feats, and I’m a big proponent of players taking fun feats and getting them earlier.