D&D 5E Ability Score Balance: through the eyes of fresh players

[WayOfTheFourElements]

Thats up to the DM though isnt it?

Ensure the player that dumped Charisma gets treated like naughty word (or ignored) by NPC's. Remind the player with the Int of 8 that his PC is a total idiot, and to play it accordingly (feel free to disallow any Knowledge checks beyond rudimentary knowledge only), ditto the player with the Wisdom of 8 (who likely makes dumb decisions a lot).

Players should roleplay their weaknesses voluntarily of course. If they dont, the DM should step in.

If the DM steps in, how is that voluntary?

 

[FrogReaver]

I had a proposal above that I think makes STR as valuable as DEX:

I think there are too many ability scores to balance them effectively. I would reduce the number to 4:

Strength

• Melee attack & damage bonuses
• Hit Points per level
• Strength (+ Current Constitution) saving throws
• Athletics skill
• Carrying Capacity
• Push, Drag, Lift

Dexterity

• Ranged attack & damage bonuses
• AC
• Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand, and Stealth skills
• Initiative

Intelligence

• Arcana, Deception, History, Investigation, Medicine, Nature, Perception, Religion, Survival
• Spellcasting ability for druids, rangers, wizards, and warlocks
• Intelligence saves
• Bonus proficiencies

Willpower

• Animal Handling, Insight, Intimation, Performance, Persuasion
• Spellcasting ability for bards, clerics, paladins, and sorcerers
• Wisdom and Charisma saves
• Extra Inspiration

Yes if you drop stats you can. But not with all 6

 

[WayOfTheFourElements]

Yes if you drop stats you can. But not with all 6

I agree, which is why I dropped 2 stats.

 

[FrogReaver]

I agree, which is why I dropped 2 stats.

But why are dump stats bad? The player chose a class. Should some classes not be predisposed to certain stats?

 

[WayOfTheFourElements]

But why are dump stats bad? The player chose a class. Should some classes not be predisposed to certain stats?

Under my system, I believe they still are. Wizards will still prioritize INT, clerics WIL (previously Wis). I'm OK with that. But I don't think the system should encourage fighters to dump INT (ask the Navy what they think of Intelligence), Clerics to dump CHA, etc.

Under my system, why STR might still be a fighter's priority, the following fights would all be (more or less) viable:

• High STR & INT, low DEX & WIL
• High STR & DEX, low INT & WIL
• High STR & WIL, low DEX & INT
• High STR, balanced DEX, INT & WIL

I would like to see something more like that under the current system.

 

[FrogReaver]

Under my system, I believe they still are. Wizards will still prioritize INT, clerics WIL (previously Wis). I'm OK with that. But I don't think the system should encourage fighters to dump INT (ask the Navy what they think of Intelligence), Clerics to dump CHA, etc.

Under my system, why STR might still be a fighter's priority, the following fights would all be (more or less) viable:

• High STR & INT, low DEX & WIL
• High STR & DEX, low INT & WIL
• High STR & WIL, low DEX & INT
• High STR, balanced DEX, INT & WIL

I would like to see something more like that under the current system.

I mean why do you consider them something to avoid?

 

[WayOfTheFourElements]

I mean why do you consider them something to avoid?

Have you ever seen a high STR, high DEX character in 5e? I haven't, and I find that odd.

 

[Lanefan]

Quickest way to nerf Dex is to divorce it from initiative. IMO initiative and reaction speed can be influenced by so many things (some of which cancel out) it might as well just be left as a flat unmodified roll.

Quickest way to boost Strength and nerf Dex at the same time is to move all hand-held to-hit and ALL damage to Strength. No more of this 'finesse' stuff, ever. Only missile to-hit stays with Dex, though Strength could determine ranges for thrown missiles.

That way, you pretty much end up with Strength = offense and Dex = defense.

 

[FrogReaver]

Have you ever seen a high STR, high DEX character in 5e? I haven't, and I find that odd.

Define high. I've seen plenty of 16/14's

 

[reelo]

For Strength, enforce Encumbrance.

The Ranger is borked. Studded leather armour, a dagger, a sword, shield, longbow and 20 arrows and he's pushing the 40lb limit already.

He wears any sort of medium armor, and he's encumbered.

Buying a pack-mule or hiring porters helps.