Odd bonuses & penalties

[Maraxle]

I seem to remember hearing or reading somewhere that it is not advisable to create races that have odd numbered stat bonuses and penalties. For example, having a +1 to Intelligence and a -1 to Wisdom as good of an idea as having +2 to Intelligence and -2 to Wisdom.

Does anyone know why that is? Is it just that it doesn't make as big of a difference in the long run? Or is it some sort of mechanical problem that I'm just not thinking about?

 

[Reynard]

The only reason I can think of is that ability modifiers are "2 for 1", so a +1 to a stat is not significantly greater than an unmodified stat. of course, in reality it is still 1 better and that means that much closer to being a greater bonus (or lesser penalty). it would, however, mess with the whole "put odd numbered stats in things you want to up at level 4" mentality.

 

[Zerovoid]

The rationale for that rule is that if a race had +1/-1, they would put the +1 on an odd numbered stat, and gain an additional +1 modifier on that stat, but they would just "hide" the -1 by putting it on an odd numbered stat.

The designers decided that every bonus/penalty should actually be a bonus or penalty. This is not the case with +1 stats.

 

[Maraxle]

Thanks guys! I knew I was overlooking something.

 

[Deedlit]

Of course, if you use point buy instead, this is not at all an issue. It is not recommended if you roll stats, but in a point buy game it is perfectly fair.

 

[Acmite]

Of course, if you use point buy instead, this is not at all an issue. It is not recommended if you roll stats, but in a point buy game it is perfectly fair.

I couldn't disagree more. There is a far greater potential for abuse in point buy.

The least amount of abuse would happen in a "natural" or "organic" method of stat generation like 3d6, arrange in order.

The more manipulation of stats by players during character creation, the greater the potential for abuse when playing races with odd bonuses/penalties.

 

[2WS-Steve]

I don't see why you'd say that there's more potential for abuse in point buy.

A +1/-1 in point buy allows someone to get a 15 stat and other stats between 8 and 14 a bit cheaper than a human; but a +2/-2 allows you to do that with a 16 stat. Seems to make +1's a bit less valuable than +2's if you're going for high attributes in your racial strengths and that's just as it should be.

 

[Deedlit]

Not so acmite, people usually end up with all even stats in point buy regardless unless they want a feat like dodge or expertise, so they can't hide it like that.

 

[ichabod]

The thing is, if you are using point buy and have a +1/-1 race, you can easily put odd numbers in those two abilities. Thus you get a plus to one modifier without a minus to another modifier. That's better than +2/-2 races, where you are guaranteed to get a minus to balance out the plus.

 

[reiella]

Currently in point-buy most players/characters aim for even stats, because, guess what? That's what they get stuck with numerically, usually with their 'high' stat odd (5 natural stat increases over to 20, and also kinda nice to get that immediate boost when you get to 4th), at least that's how I tend to see people who muck with it pointbuy (and how I tend to).

Start introducing odd-stat mods at char-gen and the min/max would change alot.