FreeTheSlaves
Adventurer
With the character sheet preview I have been thinking about the Human racial trait, the default ability score array, and level boosts, specifically how they all interact.
First the default array. It has been bumped down slightly to 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8 and as such using this and picking Human will increase it to 16, 15, 14, 13, 11, 9. In effect two scores, the highest and 3rd highest have been increased to the next higher modifier.
Note on the character sheet that WotC emphasised ability modifier over score (something I'll invert but nevermind). This emphasis has a pretty solid rationale, they are the base saves and scores for untrained skills.
Now the demi-human races have a preferred archetype, or even a couple now. Pick say the Elf, specifically the Wood Elf Ranger. Take your default array, arrange it to suit, apply the racial ability modifiers, and you could get up to two ability boosts - in the highest and 3rd highest scores.
Same as the Human but with racial features that complement the Ranger archetype. In effect, like the human but better.
Now back to the class ability score bumps. We all know boosting your prime requisite is very desirable, perhaps a "no-brainer"? Yes, well maybe not. For the default Human there is the option of increasing two scores to improve two modifiers. Our example Wood Elf Ranger does not have this option. Of course with the option to roll available this could happen to any character but for the purpose of this discussion I'm (initially at least) looking more closely at the characters with the default array, and I suspect this array is going to get a heavy workout.
Back to the noble fighter character sheet recently previewed. By default he'll improve strength to 18, a solid choice, but he does have real choices available. Improving initiative can shave off 1 incoming attack during combat so Dex could reasonably be bumped and with good in-character reason what with all that dodging and weaving. Con can pick up the other bump with immediate combat applicable benefit, but I also note Int and Wis relate to trained skills, and this character has a social focus. Good reason in a balanced game.
My point is that the Human racial ability boosts can equal the best demi-human/class archetype in total modifiers, but not when racial features are taken into account. However, the Human really shines when the +1/+1 delivers two ability modifier improvements at once.
Have I just stated the obvious in a long-winded way?
First the default array. It has been bumped down slightly to 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8 and as such using this and picking Human will increase it to 16, 15, 14, 13, 11, 9. In effect two scores, the highest and 3rd highest have been increased to the next higher modifier.
Note on the character sheet that WotC emphasised ability modifier over score (something I'll invert but nevermind). This emphasis has a pretty solid rationale, they are the base saves and scores for untrained skills.
Now the demi-human races have a preferred archetype, or even a couple now. Pick say the Elf, specifically the Wood Elf Ranger. Take your default array, arrange it to suit, apply the racial ability modifiers, and you could get up to two ability boosts - in the highest and 3rd highest scores.
Same as the Human but with racial features that complement the Ranger archetype. In effect, like the human but better.
Now back to the class ability score bumps. We all know boosting your prime requisite is very desirable, perhaps a "no-brainer"? Yes, well maybe not. For the default Human there is the option of increasing two scores to improve two modifiers. Our example Wood Elf Ranger does not have this option. Of course with the option to roll available this could happen to any character but for the purpose of this discussion I'm (initially at least) looking more closely at the characters with the default array, and I suspect this array is going to get a heavy workout.
Back to the noble fighter character sheet recently previewed. By default he'll improve strength to 18, a solid choice, but he does have real choices available. Improving initiative can shave off 1 incoming attack during combat so Dex could reasonably be bumped and with good in-character reason what with all that dodging and weaving. Con can pick up the other bump with immediate combat applicable benefit, but I also note Int and Wis relate to trained skills, and this character has a social focus. Good reason in a balanced game.
My point is that the Human racial ability boosts can equal the best demi-human/class archetype in total modifiers, but not when racial features are taken into account. However, the Human really shines when the +1/+1 delivers two ability modifier improvements at once.
Have I just stated the obvious in a long-winded way?
