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*TTRPGs General
Ability scores - How intrinsic are they to D&D?
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<blockquote data-quote="Gargoyle" data-source="post: 5718765" data-attributes="member: 529"><p>I think D&D needs ability scores, but perhaps not with the granularity that we've always had. </p><p></p><p>All I really need is to know whether my character is weak, average, strong or very strong in a particular ability. I'm not familiar with systems that just use the bonuses or penalties, but I think that's all D&D needs.</p><p></p><p>-1, +0, +1, +2, +3, +4 would probably be enough instead of the 3 to 18 range which has evolved (or devolved, depending on your point of view) to the de facto 8 to 20 that exists only for the purpose of looking up the modifier. </p><p></p><p>Saying "I have a +4 Strength" might not sound as good as saying "I have a 20 Strength" but they are both just numbers, and I could get used to it. </p><p></p><p>The other issue with ability scores is that attack powers depend on them so much that they have too much weight. That's a problem because it sometimes is fun to play a smart fighter or a wizard who isn't a genius. There needs to be some ways to build those types of characters without hamstringing your group. The current implementation of ability scores impedes role playing rather than enhancing it. But I'm sure it can be fixed.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Gargoyle, post: 5718765, member: 529"] I think D&D needs ability scores, but perhaps not with the granularity that we've always had. All I really need is to know whether my character is weak, average, strong or very strong in a particular ability. I'm not familiar with systems that just use the bonuses or penalties, but I think that's all D&D needs. -1, +0, +1, +2, +3, +4 would probably be enough instead of the 3 to 18 range which has evolved (or devolved, depending on your point of view) to the de facto 8 to 20 that exists only for the purpose of looking up the modifier. Saying "I have a +4 Strength" might not sound as good as saying "I have a 20 Strength" but they are both just numbers, and I could get used to it. The other issue with ability scores is that attack powers depend on them so much that they have too much weight. That's a problem because it sometimes is fun to play a smart fighter or a wizard who isn't a genius. There needs to be some ways to build those types of characters without hamstringing your group. The current implementation of ability scores impedes role playing rather than enhancing it. But I'm sure it can be fixed. [/QUOTE]
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