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Message: <blockquote data-quote="FormerlyHemlock" data-source="post: 6942889" data-attributes="member: 6787650">I share your distaste. 2nd edition trained me to not expect stats to change over time, and then 5E got rid of exceptional strength (yes, yes, I realize that there were apparently some precursors to 5E that didn't have exceptional strength either) and made the stat bonus distribution much flatter, e.g. Con 12 now gives you some real advantages. So I'm pretty down on the idea that you "have" to max your stats at all.But I get what you're saying, in optimization terms: a Str 13 Valor Bard or Cleric will not find weapons-only combat competitive with his other options, like taking Spell Sniper or Magic Initiate to gain access to an attack cantrip. So if he WANTS to use a longsword and shield, you're setting the player up with a tension between mechanical effectiveness (at high levels) and fun, which never works out well.Note BTW that monsters have this tension too, and they apparently err on the side of "fun" rather than "mechanical effectiveness." A Flind, from Volo's Guide To Monsters, would obviously be better off with a javelin or three as its ranged attack, since its Str is 20 and its Dex is only 10. It gets three attacks, but in melee those attacks are devastating and at range they are... well, not useless, but not impressive either. More "suppressive fire" than "airstrike". I guess Flinds just don't like javelins.So I think you could abandon mechanical effectiveness and embrace pure fun and still fit in with the D&D world as envisioned by 5E products.</blockquote>

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