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<blockquote data-quote="Nifft" data-source="post: 5142505" data-attributes="member: 6562">In 3e, a halfling can be built who can power attack better -- hitting more often, and for more damage -- than a half-orc with the same weapon. D&amp;D stats have never made sense.You blame the conflict between mechanics and flavor solely on mechanics. That's a bit one-sided, don't you think?&nbsp;My half-orc Barbarian can outshine a human Barbarian on damage dealing, because +1d12 damage is nothing to sneeze at. It's not just his Str score: his racial ability encapsulates some of his brutal power.That said, not all racial abilities are perfect, but that's not enough to tear down the system IMHO.&nbsp;I said neither &quot;for every&quot; nor &quot;there exists at least one&quot;. Thus, you're left to assume which I meant from context. Since one assumption is nonsense, and the other actually fits into the context, which one do you honestly think I meant?&nbsp;Agreed 100% about potential. This is a great way to look at ability stats. You may be strong, but if you never train, you can lose to someone weaker (lower potential) who works hard (spends feats &amp; other limited resources).&nbsp;Sure, but only in the most abstract sense. When you actually go to measure your Str against someone else, you most often do so via a check that also shows your training in a skill, or your BAB, or your Fortitude bonus.IMHO there's no problem describing an NPC as huge, burly, and strong, even if his on-paper Str is middling, so long as any reasonable use of his Str-related checks would get a high bonus.Cheers, -- N</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Nifft, post: 5142505, member: 6562"] In 3e, a halfling can be built who can power attack better -- hitting more often, and for more damage -- than a half-orc with the same weapon. D&D stats have [u]never[/u] made sense. You blame the conflict between mechanics and flavor solely on mechanics. That's a bit one-sided, don't you think? My half-orc Barbarian can outshine a human Barbarian on damage dealing, because +1d12 damage is nothing to sneeze at. It's not just his Str score: his racial ability encapsulates some of his brutal power. That said, not all racial abilities are perfect, but that's not enough to tear down the system IMHO. I said neither "for every" nor "there exists at least one". Thus, you're left to assume which I meant from context. Since one assumption is nonsense, and the other actually fits into the context, which one do you honestly think I meant? Agreed 100% about potential. This is a great way to look at ability stats. You may be strong, but if you never train, you can lose to someone weaker (lower potential) who works hard (spends feats & other limited resources). Sure, but only in the most abstract sense. When you actually go to measure your Str against someone else, you most often do so via a check that also shows your training in a skill, or your BAB, or your Fortitude bonus. IMHO there's no problem describing an NPC as huge, burly, and strong, even if his on-paper Str is middling, so long as any reasonable use of his Str-related checks would get a high bonus. Cheers, -- N [/QUOTE]

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