Infernal Teddy said:
ry guys, but I DO see where he's coming from. D&D is facing it's own kind of "Infocalypse", and it's coming in a MUCH faster rate than in any other game so far...
While the pletora of game books might be bad, I disagree that real roleplayers don't need their character's abilities represented in the stats and that having stats matching the character concept is unimaginative. If that were the case, why bother with stats at all? Why choosing a fighter over a thief? It all comes from the roleplaying, right?
Wrong. I think that the character's stats should reflect the abilities you want the character to have. This doesn't preclude being creative in character generation, as you can think up the concept free of any ruleset and then just pick the abilities and choices that are appropriate. So you are the noble knight? Fighter or paladin is good, and take ranks in Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty). It's the gladiator instead? Fighter or fighter/rogue is good, with ranks in bluff, intimidate and some perform (to please the crowds). Note that you needed the character concept before you decided which classes, feats, skills, etc you needed.
If the stats don't reflect the character's personality, on the other hand, there is the chance, that the character is too good. "He's the best archer ever, nothing can escape his eye, his will is stronger than iron, and he is very attractive". Right. Never mind that this character's Cha is 8 (dump stat), his dex isn't much better (10), he doesn't have any archery related feats, his wis isn't high either, and no iron will, and no ranks in spot. Instead, con is 18, as is str, and he has ranks in tumble.