Possible Solution to the Dexterity vs Strength debate?

[Valdier]

I do a bit of archery myself and would definitely say, as strength of the bow gets lower, dexterity probably matters more. As strength gets higher, dexterity matters a hell of a lot less. The speed of the arrow, the lower trajectory drop off, etc more than compensate for a slightly steadier hand.

 

[Yunru]

I do a bit of archery myself and would definitely say, as strength of the bow gets lower, dexterity probably matters more. As strength gets higher, dexterity matters a hell of a lot less. The speed of the arrow, the lower trajectory drop off, etc more than compensate for a slightly steadier hand.

And this all while you and your target are moving erratically across varying terrain? Because there's a lot more to shooting a bow in combat than picking a target and loosing an arrow.

 

[dco]

This is all wrong. Your approach is wrong. So much of shooting a bow is technique, rather than brute strengrh. Dex, rather than Str.

A strong man without practice isn't going to be able to just pick up a longbow and fire off shots (unless they're naturally gifted).

You are also wrong, there is no technique stat, strength does not only represent brute force, it's how strength is used.
And if we compare the definitions at least strength applies to athletic training, training is more related to technique than raw agility, reflexes and balance.

 

[Gardens & Goblins]

So you're saying you need to the constitution to be able to keep the string taunt, after using your strength to pull it, while you use your intelligence to pick out weak points and your wisdom to calculate how various factors will affect the arrow's flight, all while maintaining the dexterity to track your target while sighting down a bow?

..and the Charisma to believe in yourself to know you can make - and take the shot!

 

[Valdier]

And this all while you and your target are moving erratically across varying terrain? Because there's a lot more to shooting a bow in combat than picking a target and loosing an arrow.

This would be while a deer is moving through woods potentially over rocky terrain while I'm hiding? Not dexterity based anymore than any other attack in the same situation.

 

[MostlyDm]

And this all while you and your target are moving erratically across varying terrain? Because there's a lot more to shooting a bow in combat than picking a target and loosing an arrow.

Wouldn't all of these comments apply just as much to fighting with a sword? Footwork, precision, etc. are all hugely important.

The reality, of course, is that D&D stats don't model reality well. An adept fighter, like any adept athlete, is going to have very good strength and very good dexterity, or at least agility. The idea of an exceptional fighter with 8 Strength and 18 Dexterity, or the reverse, is actually kind of ridiculous.

But that's the system.

 

[MrHotter]

With my changes it becomes difficult to actually dump Strength too low due to the requirements on all weapons. In addition, at 19 Strength, players gain an additional die size added to damage over a character that dumps Strength. This means that a 20 Strength character with the Dual Wielder feat is able to wield two Greatswords at 1d10+5 damage each. While a 20 Dexterity character with the Dual Wielder feat is only able to wield two Rapiers dealing 1d8+5 damage each.

One of the issues with the game currently is that you pick either Strength or Dexterity as your main stat while dumping the other, and I don't see why they can't both be as important as each other.
An additional benefit to this is that if you decide to make a Strength and Dexterity focused character, you can wield a Greatbow or a Heavy Crossbow in one hand.

I think these benefits are flavorful for Strength as well as covering a bit of the imbalance between the two.

If there is something I've overlooked, please let me know as this is still the first draft.

For what you are trying to do, I think it looks good. Normal guards (str 13) can't use a polearm, but maybe them having disadvantage for using a halberd instead of a spear would be a good thing. NPC Knights and veterans (str 16) can use two-handed weapons, so that fits with what kinds of NPCs can be wearing heavy armor and fighting with larger weapons.

I still don't think this is fixing the dex vs. str issue. It's boosting the damage of str weapons over dex weapons, but I don't see that as helping with character balance.

The weapons are already balanced for dex and str. Dex characters and str characters get different weapons that they are better with. There is no dex equivalent to two-handed melee weapons, and no str equivalent to the best ranged weapons (by RAW).

I'd prefer to see a secondary benefit for str besides the ability to wear heavier armor, but not a benefit that just adds more damage. Right now a str based character can benefit from a higher dex (even if only for initiative), but a dex based character can't benefit from a higher strength unless they want to wear heavier armor.

For me, I know that when I build a dex based weapon fighter that I am giving up the two-handed weapon options and possibly the ability to wear the armor I wanted.

 

[The Human Target]

The easiest solution is to take ability scores, ball them up, and throw them in the trash.

 

[Saeviomagy]

I shoot a 90 pound compound bow, usually at a target, and I usually have the string back about 10 seconds unless I'm just plinking. Your hand gets pretty tired doing this. With a longbow, your hand is going to get very tired, which makes your aiming point wander around quite a bit, unless you're very, very strong.

Funny, because the competition shooters I know all say to draw and release as soon as the draw is complete: don't hold. Basically for exactly the reason you say.

There's a mildly amusing anecdote about someone who took a bow around to someone's house for some kind of demonstration, and their muscle memory was such that they accidentally fired an arrow through suburbia while demonstrating a draw.

 

[MostlyDm]

I'd prefer to see a secondary benefit for str besides the ability to wear heavier armor, but not a benefit that just adds more damage. Right now a str based character can benefit from a higher dex (even if only for initiative), but a dex based character can't benefit from a higher strength unless they want to wear heavier armor.

Athletics is probably the most broadly useful skill for physical action, though. You can use Acrobatics as a substitute in some cases, and in some niches it's even better, but Athletics mostly has the edge by a good margin.

I'd say if I was just choosing between Initiative and Athletics, I'd opt for good Athletics every time.