Classes not dependent on high abilities

[Cheiromancer]

What classes are least dependent on high ability scores? I.e. not only do they not have MAD (like monks and paladins), but they don't really need to have the best ability buffer they can afford (like wizards).

I know the warlock is one such class; it is playable even with straight 10s. Are there others?

To refine the question a bit; if your highest stat was a 12, what classes and combos would be most playable?

 

[Rystil Arden]

Classes that can just stand there and buff the party with their presence like a Dragon Shaman could work (but not Marshal, since the Marshal's best auras are the +Cha bonus ones given high enough Cha).

But mostly you would want to be a Commoner or Expert or some other stay-at-home NPC if you had no stats above 12--it is so unheroic to be mediocre or worse at everything that the standard PH rolling method will even let you reroll that character as hopeless. You look bad even compared to the standard array.

 

[Cheiromancer]

It's more a theoretical question than a practical one, though it would be good for assigning classes to NPCs. But basically I was reading What is the standard ability score set? Are most games playing too high? and was wondering what would happen if you made the PCs play with lower point-buys. Or if you wanted to try a mini-campaign with a "roll 3d6 in order" kind of game. That might be too hard core- at least let them rearrange their scores.

Anyway, whatever the reason, I'd want to know what kind of class is hurt least by low stats. But practically I think an array would need at least one 13 for the main classes to be viable. A 13 is a prerequisite for too many things; Dodge, Power Attack, Combat Expertise. But if you have it, well; that's three different feat paths for fighters right there.

A spellcaster with a starting score of 13 is viable in a campaign that goes to 20th level; perhaps at times their highest level spells would only be attainable while wearing the appropriate buff item, but that'd be acceptable.

Anyway, say you have the non-elite array of 13, 12, 11, 10, 9 and 8. What are the best class combos that you can come up with? The ones with the least amound of MAD. The ones that could be viable even without a 13.

 

[Mistwell]

While rogues benefit from high stats, they basic abilities are not harmed by average stats. They still get a ton of skill points, and they still do extra damage with a sneak attack if they must engage in combat, and they can still find traps when others cannot. That's most of what a rogue does anyway.

 

[Quartz]

I think you're mistaken to dismiss monks. Note that they get to ignore the prerequisites for their special abilities. Remember that all the other PCs will be similarly nerfed.

 

[Rhun]

Non spell casting classes, to be sure, as spell casters will be limited to what spells they can cast by low abilities.

I vote for the Rogue as the best choice. Possibly the Fighter, but the low scores are going to adversely affect him if he is a front liner.

 

[Emirikol]

. if you had no stats above 12--it is so unheroic to be mediocre or worse at everything that the standard PH rolling method will even let you reroll that character as hopeless. You look bad even compared to the standard array.

Do stats make a character heroic?

jh

 

[hong]

Do stats make a character heroic?

jh

D00d, you forgot to start a new thread.

 

[Emirikol]

D00d, you forgot to start a new thread.

Hong,

What's up with your attitude lately?

Jay

 

[brehobit]

Warlocks are probably the least stat needy class I know of. No bonus spells for high states, don't really need STR for anything, etc.
So S10, I10, W8, D14, C14, Ch12 works as an acceptable 20 point build.

A crusader comes in 2nd. He can live with a lower STR because much of his damage will come from strikes (attack bonus is sill good of course). And with heavy armor, a dex over 12 isn't really needed. CHR helps with one save category, but it isn't huge. S14, I10, W8, D12, C14, Ch12 is 22 points and makes for a reasonable fighter type with decent skill points. The Chr will make up for the Wisdom and give +1 DC on a lot of strikes.

I'll disagree on a monk. The weakest "good" monk I could see would be S14, I10, W14, D14, C14, Ch8 which is 26 points.

An orc barbarian (S14, I12, W8, D14, C14, Ch8 ==> S18, I10, W6, D14, C14, Ch 6) would be an acceptable warrior type at 22 points. But the will save _really_ hurts. Put him at #3.

Mark