Real Life Stats

[Old One]

I need only look back at decisions I've made in my past to see that my Wis was a bit low (probably an 8). But I'm older now so I think I'm up to a 10.

As for the Charisma thing, c'mon...it's ME! <--Note my dazzling smile!

Yeah, but that was when you had a full head of executive-style hair ! You might have lost a point or two with that mohawk stunt ...

~ OO

 

[Old One]

I got my "real life stats" tested at Gencon this year in the Gamer Olympics. I kicked some serious butt. The stats were a bit different though.

Xath,

Gamer Olympics? Since I missed G'Con (again), do tell...

~ OO

 

[Rel]

Yeah, but that was when you had a full head of executive-style hair ! You might have lost a point or two with that mohawk stunt ...

~ OO

No, no. The "mohawk stunt" shows my quirky, fun, adventuresome side that only makes me more endearing.

Also, I like pinocoladas and getting caught in the rain.

 

[wingsandsword]

Despite political wrangling over the meaning of "Intelligence", most people outside of academia have a pretty good common consensus of what that means. Wisdom is hard to quantify, but it is another thing that "I know it when I see it". The whole 'getting better at seeing as you get older' is a quirk unique to d20, not to the ability score system, since it predates Spot and Listen skills by a quarter century.

One of the reasons that D&D has so successful, and that its format has been so copied by other games, is that those basic six ability scores are a good shorthand for describing a persons talents, strengths and weakenesses.

Yes, if you wrote down a rigorously tested, scientifically evaluated list of a persons strengths, weaknesses, potentials, aptitudes, weaknesses, deficiencies, and talents you would get something a lot bigger than a D&D character sheet, and a lot less comprehensible. However, those six figures between 3 to 18, with 10 being average, is a nice shorthand for approximating how to describe someone (real or fictitious). If it was so deeply flawed, I doubt so many people would have the attachment to the 6 ability scored that they do.

 

[Old One]

No, no. The "mohawk stunt" shows my quirky, fun, adventuresome side that only makes me more endearing.

Also, I like pinocoladas and getting caught in the rain.

What about the feel of the ocean and the taste of champagne ?

~ OO

 

[Rel]

What about the feel of the ocean and the taste of champagne ?

~ OO

Well that goes without saying.

 

[JamesDJarvis]

The Con test- the PHB says running with a move of 30 is the equivalent of running 12 mph. So, to find your con by the rules, see how long you can run at 12mph, and then figure you just take a 10 on each save until you fail. So, 14 rounds of running (1 min, 24 sec) gives a con of 12... 12 rounds without a save, round 13 succeed DC 10, round 14 succeed DC 11, fail round 15.

I can go that fast for 3 minutes it turns out. But i really don't think i have a CON in the 20's.

 

[genshou]

Despite political wrangling over the meaning of "Intelligence", most people outside of academia have a pretty good common consensus of what that means. Wisdom is hard to quantify, but it is another thing that "I know it when I see it". The whole 'getting better at seeing as you get older' is a quirk unique to d20, not to the ability score system, since it predates Spot and Listen skills by a quarter century.

One of the reasons that D&D has so successful, and that its format has been so copied by other games, is that those basic six ability scores are a good shorthand for describing a persons talents, strengths and weakenesses.

Yes, if you wrote down a rigorously tested, scientifically evaluated list of a persons strengths, weaknesses, potentials, aptitudes, weaknesses, deficiencies, and talents you would get something a lot bigger than a D&D character sheet, and a lot less comprehensible. However, those six figures between 3 to 18, with 10 being average, is a nice shorthand for approximating how to describe someone (real or fictitious). If it was so deeply flawed, I doubt so many people would have the attachment to the 6 ability scored that they do.

The problem with quantifying a real person as a set of ability scores is that we're more complex than 6 numbers that go from 3 to 18. But if you're going to make yourself as a D&D character, that's one limitation in defining yourself that you just have to adjust to. You become more of a vanilla character and yet perhaps slightly better at the same time.

Personally, I think you'd have to be CRAZY to figure out your stats as an RPG character.

I've spent a year and a half tweaking and adjusting my ability scores and have finally settled on the following:
Str 10, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 18, Wis 15, Cha 15

Uh oh...

 

[Tinker Gnome]

I am

Str: 6
Dex: 10
Con: 8
Int: 8
Wis: 10
Cha: 10

 

[genshou]

I am

Str: 6
Dex: 10
Con: 8
Int: 8
Wis: 10
Cha: 10

Even worse than the ones who don't give themselves a stat below 10 are those who don't give themselves a stat above 11. Do you really see yourself as so... average? In every way?

Except for the sad Strength score. I feel for you, my friend...