fuzzlewump
First Post
So, dumping or putting a 16-18 in a stat is arbitrary? And, it's not in previous editions? Or is this condemning all of D&D?Certainly, it's one thing that turned me off 4e. I like abstraction... useful abstraction. Characters in D6 Star Wars have high attributes because they're heroic... if you see Dexterity 3D6, it's not because some backwaters governor is secretly a ninja, it's because he's expected to hit more often than not when he shoots a stormtrooper. But the view that you put your 16 or 18 in this stat, you dump that stat because it doesn't matter, etc. to me feels arbitrary.
Why have a trait that at all that never comes into play? Why does 4e have ability scores at all... couldn't you just skip right to shuffling points between your basic attack, your special attacks, your defense, etc.?
I agree, why have a trait that doesn't come into play. I can't remember a non-sorceror type caster that I played that had above a 10 in charisma in 3.x. Both games have all the stats being used in skills, as well.
Good call on the Paladin actually being weak as far as lifting and breaking stuff (without weapons), but that kind of stuff pretty much never comes up in my games. I can definitely see where it would matter to you.