Ability score of 18

[Thornir Alekeg]

I chose Int. The physical stats mean less to me, and I heard enough people calling me wise that I don't think I need a boost there (although people never seem to finish their thoughts about that; they always call me "wise as..." )

 

[ARandomGod]

I'd pick Charisma.

Physical stats would be good, but you'd most likely end up doing something physical. And those stats go down later in life, so that even the highest stat becomes pretty low.

So mental stats have the best chance of lasting longest. They even go UP as you get older! (I actually think this often does happen IRL, although obviously not always).

Intelligence would lead, in my opinion, to the greatest chance of unhappiness. Of the three mental stats it's also the one that you're mostly likely to say "Only 18! That's not ENOUGH!!" This would be especially true in someone with an 18. Intelligence often leads to knowing just how much you don't know, greater chance of depression, greater longing for more without really knowing how to get that more. Sure, you'd be a great researcher, or great at just about anything that would use that great intelligence. I also have a personal theory that intelligence often leads to laziness (For that matter, I feel the laziness if often the reason most things were invented. "To make life easier"). So an 18 in intelligence would have a pretty good chance to make life more difficult. I’ll even go so far as to say that’s the point of INT. To do more with less.

I'm not sure if I'd do anything different at all if I had an 18 INT. I *might* go into research, especially into gerontological research in an attempt to counteract the aging process. Advances in medicine trump a high constitution *almost* any day. (Trauma cases being the exception)

Wisdom would in my opinion lead to the greatest chance of happiness. You'd know what to do to make you happy with what you've got, and you'd know just what *would* make you happy. While a high INT can lead you to try for more, a wisdom would let you know where to set your sights. What to try for and what not to, when and how to enjoy what you've got.
With a high wisdom I'd likely go into therapy, trying to help others see more clearly, to help them achieve happiness.

Charisma is what I'd pick however. A high wisdom would let you know what to do best with what you've got, but a high charisma would be the most effective in getting the most. As for what I'd do with it, I'm surprised noone has mentioned this yet.

Politics.

Just about the easiest job, perhaps not the highest paying but it pays very well, and has excellent benefits, job security (especially if you've got an 18 Cha) and overall POWER. Assuming you're at least average in INT and WIS you've got a really good career. I know that we're to avoid real world political discussion, so please no talking about actual politics events or people (and I hope it's not taboo to touch on to this extent), but in general I think that people would be pleasantly surprised with a politician who has at least average INT and WIS…

Plus people would like you! If you don't want to go into politics you could start up a pretty nice cult. Get a good following there and try to not break any laws of the land and you're really set up that way too. There are a lot of tax benefits for "religious" land and activities.

Or just marry into money and power, and use your charisma to lead an incredibly bohemian lifestyle. You might not have the wisdom to know what you should want, but you have the charisma to get just about anything.

Or all three! Wait... one and two might be mutually exclusive. But two of the three!

I've got a pretty decent INT and an even higher WIS in real life (in my opinion). Which is where I get my opinions on INT and WIS. (And the topics have been heavily explored in literature).

In the end, people make the world go around, and the person with high charisma is most likely to control the most people, and therefore to command the highest amount of resources of ALL the physical stats. An 18 in charisma should get you access to either 18's or near 18's in ALL of the stats... well, with the possible exception of wisdom, with their excellent sense motive checks. (A good trick to beat that sense motive is to be sincere, so you'd likely be able to get a decent wisdom follower as well).

 

[D+1]

Charisma.

Intelligence is a trap. It doesn't actually gain you much except a life of GREATLY increased frustration with the stupidity of everyone around you. Unless you're keen on living a life obsessed with your own thoughts, pass on that.

Wisdom is similar. You can understand the universe but you still have to live in Hometown, USA (or wherever). Understanding does not bring you a life of peace and fulfillment.

Charisma seems to be the answer so long as you also have ADEQUATE levels of intelligence and wisdom. - Not HIGH levels of int/wis, just adequate. - The reasoning for that goes thusly: It is too often the highly intelligent people in the world who manage to convince everyone of the STUPIDEST ideas that defy human nature and create the most horrific hardships and damage. Intelligent people too often seem to feel that because they think they know the right way to go about things that they can FORCE everyone to do what they think they ought to do. Intelligence without wisdom.

Wisdom without intelligence is little better because you're going to life a highly enlightened life that is worthless for the rest of humanity. A monk or guru meditating on a mountaintop.

But with charisma you can LEAD others, either directly or by example, to a life that is not Utopian - but is at least a little better than before. You can make the world a better place simply by being the kind of person that people want to have around, want to listen to, want to emulate.

 

[Tarrasque Wrangler]

But with charisma you can LEAD others, either directly or by example, to a life that is not Utopian - but is at least a little better than before. You can make the world a better place simply by being the kind of person that people want to have around, want to listen to, want to emulate.

Or you can just use it to pick up chicks, like I do.

 

[Ogre Mage]

For me? Constitution - I don't like the idea of being old and frail, and even with aging penalties, an 18 constitution leaves you fit and strong to the end of your life. Not worrying about the infirmities of old age is a great thing.

That was my thought -- no nursing home for me! I am going to be fit and able until the day I drop dead. Once I reach retirement age, I'll have a long fun time doing what I want -- because my health will definitely let me. My career probably won't have been as important or glamorous as the person with 18 INT or 18 CHA -- but I don't care. With their 10 CON, someday they will probably be in an assisted living facility ... and I will be taking my annual European vacation ...