Ability Scores

[am181d]

PRO:
Assuming that this information is correct, it *will* speed up the game to have only bonuses. It's ever so slightly faster to add than to subtract. And all those "ever so slightlies" add up over time.

CON:
I *did* like that (in 3e) penalties equaled "below average" and bonuses equaled "above average".

CON:
The idea of the *4* being a +0 modifier really irks my inner OCD. If we're to go "all bonus all the time", then +0 should at least equal 0 (effectively halving ability scores).

PRO:
It could be cool because of stuff we don't know yet!

 

[Oldtimer]

Here is the link from the ENWorld main page: http://forum.rpg.net/showpost.php?p=8025804&postcount=9

And here is the poster's clarification - from ENWorld 4e News page:

Just to clear up, I got it from the stat card. I admit that (ability/3& #41; round up does also generate a regression that has 14 and 15 at +5 and 19 at +7, as well as (ability/2& #41; round down. However, Bill S. did make a point at Gen Con of saying "This is still the d20 system," and I guess it doesn't seem intuitive to me to change the highest-order math on how ability bonuses are generated. ; I hope that somebody like Mike or Dave will step in and say which it is, honestly, because I really forgot to ask for clarification and I wish I had.

 

[Scholar & Brutalman]

The direct link to the clarification is here . Firevalkyrie on Gleemax seems to be Iceberg3K on Rpgnet. At least Firevalkyrie is posting the same words as Iceberg3K.

 

[Scribble]

My guess is that it has to do with flattening out the bell curve a bit.

 

[mach1.9pants]

Yes we do. I guess not everyone obsesses over every tidbit like us nerds.
At D&D Experience, one of the Wizards folks gave us the formula, as stated in this thread. See recent news at the Enworld News page for the link.

Sorry we don't 100% KNOW because that formula is hearsay from a person on another forum, he could be mistaken. I think he probably is mistaken because in the last podcast (whomever, I cannot remember) didn't the guy with the fighter character would like to improve his +4 damage? Although possible, IMO having a 12 or 13 for STR for a FTR is a bit odd....
unless they have gone all True20 (or using common sense) and are usning DEX for attack bonus
Edit: d'oh as I was typing all the other 'this is not confirmed came up', sorry to state the same again

 

[Kintara]

I thought the formula is the current scale + one half your level.

 

[Roman]

Ok, so it is now obvious that the formula did not come from Mike Mearls but was merely surmised from the stat card. In that case, I think the formula is probably incorrect and the bonuses are probably calculated in the same way as in 3.XE, but adding half the character level (this meshes well with the Star Wars SAGA skill system, where half the character level is added to all skill checks, but apparently here all ability checks, not just skill checks, get that bonus).

 

[Daniel D. Fox]

If indeed this is the new system, I am curious if ability scores will factor into combat at all. Perhaps ability scores will only affect Skills and Defenses, whereas Level and Class affect combat effectiveness.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Based on the latest podcast, I don't think this is right, either -- or else we have playtest fighters with 13 STR.

I can see the advantage of no penalties in play as it is easier to add than subtract for most people, and it removes the stigma of minuses. As long as everything else is worked out to match it could be fine .... but then it is one more change away from the current d20 system.

Frankly, I' don't mi9nd penalties and I'd rather they not mess with this particular formula.

 

[Goken100]

Ok, so it is now obvious that the formula did not come from Mike Mearls but was merely surmised from the stat card. In that case, I think the formula is probably incorrect and the bonuses are probably calculated in the same way as in 3.XE, but adding half the character level (this meshes well with the Star Wars SAGA skill system, where half the character level is added to all skill checks, but apparently here all ability checks, not just skill checks, get that bonus).

Hmmm, that's very interesting, I think you might be onto something. I don't think it's quite right though. Imagine the bonus damage given by high level characters!