Racial Scores bonuses.

[xigbar]

I've always been curious about to the guidelines to making homebrew races presented in the DMG. It recommends balancing a bonus to a physical ability score with a penalty to 2 mental ability scores. In general, however, the strongest classes utilize a mental stat. Everything in tier 1 is placed there because of the ability to cast spells, or ability to mass produce spell effects, in the case of the Artificer, and generally utilizes INT or WIS. This, to me, would say that mental scores are balanced, 1:1, against physical ability scores, if not more useful. Carrying capacity will only be an issue for a few levels, until it can be replaced by bags of holding, for example. While physical ability scores are very useful for melee oriented classes, the most powerful classes are not considered to be as such for their melee capabilities, although the Cleric and Druid can notoriously be built to shine their. Thoughts? And, I'm looking at this as purely from a mechanical/game balance persepective.

 

[Dandu]

Physical stats become irrelevant when you start throwing out Polmorph and Wildshape.

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

I've understood this as Not an attempt to state that physical stats are better
But an attempt to subtly nerf mental stats.

 

[xigbar]

I've understood this as Not an attempt to state that physical stats are better
But an attempt to subtly nerf mental stats.

But it's not, it's nerfing physical stats. The general guideline is too "balance" a physical stat bonus with 2 mental stat penalties. It makes physical stat bonuses more costly.

 

[Dandu]

Wait, that's the general guideline?

 

[xigbar]

Wait, that's the general guideline?

DMG, pg. 173.

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

But it's not, it's nerfing physical stats. The general guideline is too "balance" a physical stat bonus with 2 mental stat penalties. It makes physical stat bonuses more costly.

You sure it's not a trap?

"Sure, you wanna boost that CON score for survivability, and it'll make you more stupid in the process, Muahahahah!"

Because this essentially say that the book wants you to think a physical stat is worth two mental stats. This is a lie, and most of us know it.

 

[Empirate]

WotC don't know what's good in their own game. Now there's a surprise.

Poor Half-Orcs.

 

[xigbar]

You sure it's not a trap?

"Sure, you wanna boost that CON score for survivability, and it'll make you more stupid in the process, Muahahahah!"

Because this essentially say that the book wants you to think a physical stat is worth two mental stats. This is a lie, and most of us know it.

I considered the high likelihood that it's a trap, yes.

 

[Viktyr Gehrig]

The Pathfinder standard is to have a +2 bonus to one physical ability and one mental ability, with a -2 penalty to any one other score. (Humans and half-humans get a single floating +2 and no penalty.) I think this is generally more interesting than the 3.X guidelines.