No one is going to dump CON, but it will be rarely taken as the highest stat. The reasons for no one dumping it is simple, a clear benefit at first for HPs, and everyone wants either hide or plate proficiency, and paladins who get plate aren't exactly shoved towards STR.
Most Valued Attribute
- Thread starter Mal Malenkirk
- Start date
Come to think of it, I've never put an 8 into con. I've also never put more than 10 in it unless I need a 13 for proficiencies either, so 10 con in my ranger, fighter, and paladin. But then again, con is more valuable to a fighter then int, the traditional dump stat for such characters.
But yes, as a 'most valuable attribute' with the cavet, 'ignoring effect on class abilities' Con takes the lead as surges and hp are better then the next best not replaceable with another stat stat: Dex's bonus to initiative.
But yes, as a 'most valuable attribute' with the cavet, 'ignoring effect on class abilities' Con takes the lead as surges and hp are better then the next best not replaceable with another stat stat: Dex's bonus to initiative.
jgsugden
Legend
A paladin can dump constitution. I did.
Paladins need to keep an eye on both strength and charisma. They power your abilities, and it is hard to punt 1/3 of youer power choices by tanking either of these stats. You want one of those to be an 18 and the other to be at least a 14, if not a 16.
Then you need to keep a respectable wisdom for your secondary effects for some of your powers. Although a 12 or 13 for a +1 is feasible, you probably want a 14 there.
Then you have to consider your saving throws. Glass jaws really hurt in 4E, so you'll want to make sure your reflex save is getting at least a +2 from your stat. Most paladins go with dexterity for the init bonus, but paladins can also go int.
That puts us at 4 stats being filled with 18, 14, 14, 14. If we assume that we get a +2 to the 18 and to one of the other stats from race, we're looking at 16, 14, 14, 12. Under point buy, you're looking at a cost of 21 points of your 22 points right there. It is even worse for humans... That gives you 1 point to spend on constitution... (which you should do to give yourself an even number of starting hps so that your hit points will be a multiple of 4 every other level - that gives you a bit more in hit points per surge than having an odd hp total - although if you're taking toughness it may not be such a good idea...).
My human strength paladin went with:
18 str (9 pts with human +2 race)
14 chr (5 points)
14 wis (5 points)
13 dex (3 points)
10 con (0 point) (but he took toughness)
08 int (0 points)
All in all, after 8 levels of play, I wouldn't change a thing.
Paladins need to keep an eye on both strength and charisma. They power your abilities, and it is hard to punt 1/3 of youer power choices by tanking either of these stats. You want one of those to be an 18 and the other to be at least a 14, if not a 16.
Then you need to keep a respectable wisdom for your secondary effects for some of your powers. Although a 12 or 13 for a +1 is feasible, you probably want a 14 there.
Then you have to consider your saving throws. Glass jaws really hurt in 4E, so you'll want to make sure your reflex save is getting at least a +2 from your stat. Most paladins go with dexterity for the init bonus, but paladins can also go int.
That puts us at 4 stats being filled with 18, 14, 14, 14. If we assume that we get a +2 to the 18 and to one of the other stats from race, we're looking at 16, 14, 14, 12. Under point buy, you're looking at a cost of 21 points of your 22 points right there. It is even worse for humans... That gives you 1 point to spend on constitution... (which you should do to give yourself an even number of starting hps so that your hit points will be a multiple of 4 every other level - that gives you a bit more in hit points per surge than having an odd hp total - although if you're taking toughness it may not be such a good idea...).
My human strength paladin went with:
18 str (9 pts with human +2 race)
14 chr (5 points)
14 wis (5 points)
13 dex (3 points)
10 con (0 point) (but he took toughness)
08 int (0 points)
All in all, after 8 levels of play, I wouldn't change a thing.
Nifft
Penguin Herder
What's your plan at Paragon tier?
Many PCs will be taking Armor Specialization of some kind.
Cheers, -- N
outsider
First Post
What does every attribute do in 4e?
Give a defense bonus(Con does this)
Give some skill bonuses(Con does this)
Give access to some feats(Con does this)
Give attack/damage bonuses to certain classes(Con does this)
Con also gives extra hp and healing surges.
Dex gives initiative bonus.
Str gives carrying/lifting capacity.
The other attributes give nothing beyond the basic.
Given Strength's extra bonus is pretty inconsequential, and Int, Cha, and Wis don't have an extra bonus, the best attribute comes down to either being Dex or Con. Con is DEFINITELY not useless. It is in fact more useful than every attribute with the possible exception of Dex.
Give a defense bonus(Con does this)
Give some skill bonuses(Con does this)
Give access to some feats(Con does this)
Give attack/damage bonuses to certain classes(Con does this)
Con also gives extra hp and healing surges.
Dex gives initiative bonus.
Str gives carrying/lifting capacity.
The other attributes give nothing beyond the basic.
Given Strength's extra bonus is pretty inconsequential, and Int, Cha, and Wis don't have an extra bonus, the best attribute comes down to either being Dex or Con. Con is DEFINITELY not useless. It is in fact more useful than every attribute with the possible exception of Dex.
