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Racial Ability Scores: Default Low Ability Score
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<blockquote data-quote="DND_Reborn" data-source="post: 7815932" data-attributes="member: 6987520"><p>While I understand the jist of your argument, I think you are not looking at it the right way. First, the point is they <em>do</em> matter at character creation. Regardless of how you generate ability scores, once you have them, the method used and the racial bonuses applied, etc. is done. But those racial modifiers do continue to matter. Without them, your Elf's DEX 14 would only be DEX 12. Likewise, the Human's DEX 16 would be 15 (assuming a point-buy and +1 ASI for race, not a feat).</p><p></p><p>In comparison, the human with DEX 16 is significantly more dexterous than most humans and many elves (average DEX 12), as where the elf with DEX 14 is a bit more dexterous than other elves and still very much more dexterous than average humans (DEX 10). Both are 4 points higher compared to the other races' averages (DEX 16 vs 12, DEX 14 vs 10).</p><p></p><p>When doing a PC comparison, you will find the average elf PC will have a better DEX than the average human PC. Why? Because many players will choose an elf when they want a high DEX. A player who decides to play an Elf Bard is already capping their CHA at 15 since elves get no racial bonus to CHA. </p><p></p><p>And although you are correct that a DEX 16 human and DEX 17 elf both get a +3 mod, the elf can get the +4 more easily (or, at least get the +4 with <em>some</em> other benefit, e.g. a feat with DEX +1 or DEX +1 and <em>another</em> ASI +1). As where the human would have to fully devote the ASI +2 to DEX to keep pace with the bonus of the elf, losing other benefits.</p><p></p><p>What the elf's modifiers got them was a better DEX. It isn't the same if you move them around (at least not with the point-buy). With point-buy, you spent 4 points to get from 8 to 12, and the +2 mod boosted the DEX to 14. Going from 12 to 14 is worth 3 points of point-buy (12-13 is 1, 13-14 is 2 points). So, to buy a DEX 14 would be 7 points instead of 4. If the DEX was lower, than sure it would be a shift-capable change, but it still means you get to spend those points elsewhere.</p><p></p><p>Finally, your idea that the DEX 16 human will <em>always</em> be better than the DEX 14 elf is incorrect. Both have the potential to have DEX 20, even if it takes the elf longer to get there. And the lower DEX for the elf means it has higher numbers elsewhere, better than the human's. This elf is likely more charismatic than most half-elves.</p><p></p><p>So, while PCs are not average, they are going to have their strengths that might not necessarily coincide with racial bonuses. Nothing wrong with that. There is also nothing wrong with the tables that remove racial modifiers completely. I've argued for that myself. You say elves are more dexterous? Then put a good score there, otherwise your character is the exception and has a mediocre DEX.</p><p></p><p>Anyway, sorry this is a bit here and there, but even after my morning coffee I am not completely awake yet. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="DND_Reborn, post: 7815932, member: 6987520"] While I understand the jist of your argument, I think you are not looking at it the right way. First, the point is they [I]do[/I] matter at character creation. Regardless of how you generate ability scores, once you have them, the method used and the racial bonuses applied, etc. is done. But those racial modifiers do continue to matter. Without them, your Elf's DEX 14 would only be DEX 12. Likewise, the Human's DEX 16 would be 15 (assuming a point-buy and +1 ASI for race, not a feat). In comparison, the human with DEX 16 is significantly more dexterous than most humans and many elves (average DEX 12), as where the elf with DEX 14 is a bit more dexterous than other elves and still very much more dexterous than average humans (DEX 10). Both are 4 points higher compared to the other races' averages (DEX 16 vs 12, DEX 14 vs 10). When doing a PC comparison, you will find the average elf PC will have a better DEX than the average human PC. Why? Because many players will choose an elf when they want a high DEX. A player who decides to play an Elf Bard is already capping their CHA at 15 since elves get no racial bonus to CHA. And although you are correct that a DEX 16 human and DEX 17 elf both get a +3 mod, the elf can get the +4 more easily (or, at least get the +4 with [I]some[/I] other benefit, e.g. a feat with DEX +1 or DEX +1 and [I]another[/I] ASI +1). As where the human would have to fully devote the ASI +2 to DEX to keep pace with the bonus of the elf, losing other benefits. What the elf's modifiers got them was a better DEX. It isn't the same if you move them around (at least not with the point-buy). With point-buy, you spent 4 points to get from 8 to 12, and the +2 mod boosted the DEX to 14. Going from 12 to 14 is worth 3 points of point-buy (12-13 is 1, 13-14 is 2 points). So, to buy a DEX 14 would be 7 points instead of 4. If the DEX was lower, than sure it would be a shift-capable change, but it still means you get to spend those points elsewhere. Finally, your idea that the DEX 16 human will [I]always[/I] be better than the DEX 14 elf is incorrect. Both have the potential to have DEX 20, even if it takes the elf longer to get there. And the lower DEX for the elf means it has higher numbers elsewhere, better than the human's. This elf is likely more charismatic than most half-elves. So, while PCs are not average, they are going to have their strengths that might not necessarily coincide with racial bonuses. Nothing wrong with that. There is also nothing wrong with the tables that remove racial modifiers completely. I've argued for that myself. You say elves are more dexterous? Then put a good score there, otherwise your character is the exception and has a mediocre DEX. Anyway, sorry this is a bit here and there, but even after my morning coffee I am not completely awake yet. :) [/QUOTE]
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