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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Hillsy7" data-source="post: 7159406" data-attributes="member: 6689191">Well, inasmuch as any array of stats describes the actual (imagined) attributes of the character really, and you aren't simply playing the mechanics of the game (stat bonuses to skill rolls) completely separate from the conceptual world those attributes are attempting to describe.I mean, sod it, why not just cut the conceptual link all together: My Druid is a man mountain, 7 feet tall, 5 feet wide, and strikes fear into those he turns his Ire upon. OK, he has a 10 in both STR and CHA, but hey, it's only 2 less on Athletics and Intimidation checks than someone with 15 in those stats, so statistically he's only 10% worse when it comes to lifting up trees and scaring recalcitrant Thieves. Meh, who gives a basilisk's ass, right? So what, he only succeeds in 5 of every 10 Athletics checks instead of 6, you wont really notice - I'll just play him as a hulking brute because, you know, who's really going to notice anyway?So what you are saying, basically, is that the person who puts in the time and effort to weave a complex backstory for his Fighter, sacrifices points in combat optimal stats in order to have 15 Charisma and 14 Intelligence to better reflect his upbringing as a Prince of the Realm, has no more narrative right when faced with a tense meeting with a despotic monarch, to say "Guys, this is what I was born to do", than the person who says she's also a learned princess of another land, but has 10 in both stats and maxed out STR and CON. Because, hey, what's a +2 compared to a d20 roll? Hardly a sure thing against DC 13 is it?OK, I'm being snide, but I mean c'mon. It's generally accepted that the main 6 stats articulate roughly the personality and general physicality of your character (and why you can do some amazing things with really low stats, character wise. The archetypal 6 intelligence Barbarian can be a star). Aside from generic checks, your party is hardly going to let you negotiate a deal with a powerful man if your CHA is 10 compared to the suave charming Rogue. I mean, that's his character, his personality. That's what he 'does'.Yes, mechanically there's nothing stopping you from getting 'involved', again inasmuch as that with any stat array you can both roleplay any character regardless of stats, or roleplay your character perfectly within the group and the story. But that +1 or +2 difference is mechanically supposed to represent a lifetime of narrative choices and experience. To use another Critical Role reference: Vex'halia could just as easily be a money-crazed haggling-obsessed magpie with Charisma 12 or charisma 17 - but it makes more sense, and carries more weight - it is more satisfying - because Laura Bailey took the decision to take low CON and high CHA.....Otherwise you might as well min-max and play whatever character you want over the top, and ignore stats outside combat altogether.</blockquote>

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