I wonder how much of the Enworld forum traffic is being lost to people asking AI these types of questions?
You can absolutely go without the dip. If you take Pact of the Blade you get to be proficient with any weapon you want - so your ability to hit will be good. You will likely want that...
If the rules do not specify for a situation, I apply the following:
Physical Flight: If they're using wings to fly and 'not magic', then the creature has to be able to carry the weight and not be encumbered (ie, be beneath their carry weight). Accordingly, a medium strength 10 creature can...
You could say that. The intent of the houserule is to make higher level foes more resilient so that save or suck are less likely to work - allowing them to still get that big spell off occasionally off a top tier foe, but having it be unlikely to work so as to prevent a save or suck from ending...
What does more mean? What creatures do you want to give this to? All creatures that currently get Legendary Resistance? A few select creatures?
If you don't want the "save or suck" spells to impact high level foes, there is a house rule I've encountered in a few circles for 'save or suck'...
It is what is not written that have people thinking in terms of a new edition plan. It is common practice at WotC to change regime about a year or two into a new edition and then hire people to work on the 'next new thing', whether that is a new edition or a half edition like 3.5 or 4E...
As a DM - I try to encourage players to get at least one 16 on their PC one way or another as I find that even with the best and noblest of intentions, players lose focus more quickly when other PCs outshine theirs. There are exceptions to the rule - but it is an overwhelmingly strong tendency...
Here are a few thoughts:
Limiting Save or Suck: The easiest approach is to limit save or suck. While the math can be annoying to track, one method is to apply the differential between the CR of the creature and the level of the PC as a modifier to the save for save or suck spells. Suggestion...
Do you think being hit by a bus would be bad? I mean, it rarely happens, so why would we think it is bad?
The rolled stats discrepancy happens at a small percentage of the time because: 1.) Many, if not most, tables use point buy or other 'fixed' systems. 2.) Rolled characters tend towards...
... and? The point was you can have huge discrepancies and they have an impact. It was demonstrative of how big those impacts can be with different ability scores being a significant factor.
However, if you just want to do a quick comparison just between +4 for 2d6+2 and +7 for 2d6+5:
+4...
No. 300%. See my example above where a 2nd level barbarian with a 20 strength is outdamaging a 2nd level fighter with sword and board and a 14 strength. It is literally a 300% difference.
You're entitled to an opinion, but there is pretty insanely widespread evidence of it occurring often...
We're not just talking more effective though - we're talking 300% more effective.
In a great game with a great DM a player with low attributes can make major contribution in the combat and story. However, when a PC has overwhelmingly high stats, either they garner all the spotlight in combat...
I have a few Homebrew Campaigns. Each has an epilogue.
The first ends in a little bit of a Railroad as the PCs discover that something was underway a thousand years before they started adventuring that needs to be handled. While there are many solutions to the problem, the one that every...
I have run a lot of D&D for new and experienced players. There is an overwhelmingly strong tendency through every edition for characters with stronger stats to take on a 'starring role' because they are inherently more efficient, and in ways that do not require deep rules knowledge, creativity...
When casting on yourself, you're often trying to reduce your vulnerabilities more than gain advantages. To that end, becoming an ooze is a great option as there are generally very few interactions with the ooze type. I might aim for a construct or undead for a single fight, but if I am going...
Generally agreed with your conclusion, but I don't agree that the game is not designed for 20 ability scores as early as level 1. Random generation is allowed and there is over a 1 in 3 chance of one or more PCs rolling an 18 in a 5 PC party at first level (that can be bumped straight to 20)...