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Message: <blockquote data-quote="jeff0" data-source="post: 4289885" data-attributes="member: 65883">The "Attribute scores don't make sense" thread got me thinking. I've always hated the fact that raising an even ability score to an odd gives no immediate benefit (feats requirements and 4e hp aside). Here's a house rule to change this that fits right into the 4e framework*. At odd levels, all level-dependent modifiers tied to odd scores get an extra +1. In other words,bonus = [(stat-10)/2 round down] + [level/2 round down]becomesbonus = (stat-10+level)/2 round down.So a 1st level Cleric with 19 Wisdom would get +5 to hit with Lance of Faith rather than +4. He still only gets +4 on his Lance damage and his Healer's Lore bonus. At 2nd level, his attack bonus with Lance of Faith remains at +5. The pros and cons that immediately come to mind are:PROS <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/1.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":1:" title="One    :1:" data-shortname=":1:" /> More viable arrays of starting ability scores. <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/2.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":2:" title="Two    :2:" data-shortname=":2:" /> Ability score increases always matter at either the current level or the next. No more waiting 3 or 4 levels for the bump to an even score. <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/3.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":3:" title="Three    :3:" data-shortname=":3:" /> Even scores are somewhat better than odds (because of damage bonuses and the like), so the extra point cost for 14s and 18s in 4e is still justified.CONS <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/1.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":1:" title="One    :1:" data-shortname=":1:" /> The PCs are slightly better than they would be normally. If this worries you, have solo monsters follow the same rule as PCs. For all other combats, add a couple extra minions when the PCs are odd-leveled (if anything, the PCs will be worse at even levels, due to changes in optimization strategy).  <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/2.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":2:" title="Two    :2:" data-shortname=":2:" /> It doesn't fix the problem with feats that WotC's odd-stat solution created**. You still needs to figure out which stat prerequisites are game-balancing and which are only there to boost the importance of odd scores before tossing out stat prerequisites.--Jeff**** My profuse apologies in advance in case someone else has already come up with this.** Whether this is actually a problem is up for a debate. Though I personally hate having to plan feats ten levels ahead when making a 1st level character. I think 4e is a vast improvement over the previous editions, by the way. So to any WotC employees listening in, please don't take too much offense at my nasty comment.*** Lurker no more.</blockquote>

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