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Message: <blockquote data-quote="DEFCON 1" data-source="post: 5772770" data-attributes="member: 7006">To go along with what TerraDave said (which I think is pretty spot on) is that one of the current reasons why ability score increase (in addition to the half-level increase) was built into the system was to give you something to get every time you leveled up.  It was a reward for leveling so that there would be less "dead levels" as they say.But as everyone points out... this proliferation of number increases (from ability scores, adding in half-levels, bonuses from feats and equipment) brings in two problems.  One, that the split between your highest of the high scores and lowest of the low score in things like attack bonuses, defenses, & skills becomes so great that most characters end up lopsided in some fashion.  And two-- it becomes much harder for DMs to guesstimate the numbers he needs to set up for encounters because they are just so big that it's hard to visualize.  Most of us all know instinctually that at 1st level, ACs of 15 or 16 are average, an AC of 20 is really good, and a monster with an AC of 22 is a beast.  But what are those numbers for level 15?  Anyone know?  I sure as heck don't (without pulling out the books and doing a lot of the math to get there.)Say what you will about the very early editions... but we KNEW that Full Plate Mail was an AC of 1 and was something to desperately try and find or buy.  And even when you got fairly strong magical armor, you still weren't getting much lower than like AC -3 or so (unless you were very lucky, VERY high level or had a very generous DM)... and that was known, expected, and accepted.*****So the question really comes down to what is more important... more stuff to "gain" as you go up a level, or keeping numbers low so that it's easier for us to comprehend them instinctually?  I don't know what is the right answer... although I do know my preference.  Personally, I'd like to see ability bumps and half-level gains go away and keep all numbers fairly rigid... and just rely on new class abilities, exploits/spells/prayers, & talents/feats for things to "gain" as I level.  I think it would be much easier to keep the game balanced, and more comprehensible to more players.</blockquote>

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