D&D (2024) Sacred Cows: Ability Scores

[Argyle King]

I think we should keep the scores and dump the modifiers.

Have the scores directly interact with other parts of the game.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Ability scores from 3 to 18 exist to roll attributes on 3d6, and to make roll under attribute checks.
Both haven't been done for over 20 years.

Sometimes I miss roll under attribute checks. It was so simple!

 

[turnip_farmer]

you could also simplify it and roll a d4 or something. If you want to mantain 5e's progression cap you could do the 4 meaning you got a 0 or something like that.

D4	bonus
1	+1
2	+2
3	+3
4	0

Where are the minus scores?

 

[Micah Sweet]

Then so be it.

If Wizards is convinced that their recent changes from how 5e was released are correct, then go all the way and stop trying to sit on the fence.

If they get another 4e reaction, well, at least then they know that when they go for 7e, what they need to remember is important, and that sacred cows exist for a reason.

Yeah, as much as I dont think they will, I really want WotC to make their "modern gamers edition" 6e and see what happens once it's out in the wild. THEN we'll see what the people who actually buy product really think!

 

[Bolares]

Where are the minus scores?

IN HELL WHERE THEY BELONG!

That was just a quick example, but you could do something similar, and have minus scores too.

 

[Bill Zebub]

English is the worst language aside from Esperanto.

JavaScript is a contender for that title.

 

[Steampunkette]

JavaScript is a contender for that title.

I would say "No one speaks Javascript" but then someone would appear in the kitchen beside me to spout insane noises and prove me wrong.

 

[TheSword]

I still like to see ability scores as a resource. They are used that way in some obscure situations (intellect devoured attacks for instance) though I would like to see them used that way again.

Particularly poisons. I thought 3e’s poison and disease system was very elegant at representing all sorts of damage to the body that was far more interesting than simply reducing hp. I have several homebrew poisons in by file ready to spring on the players.

 

[Marc Radle]

When we get a new editions, should we dispense with ability scores and just have bonuses listed instead?
A starting stat block might instead give a +3, a +2, Two +1s, a non bonus, and a -1 for example.
Besides tradition, the only reason for ability scores that are translated into bonuses is "granularity", in which one can have odd numbered scores that don't increase the bonus, acting as a stopgap between actual mechanical increases or penalties.

Thoughts?

Please no.
Stats themselves have meaning.

The idea isn’t to remove as many sacred cows as possible. There’s no good reason to remove them, but lots of reason to keep them.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I wish, but they’re too gunshy for that after what happened with 4e.

Maybe the recent uproar in social media has made them forget why 4e wasn't a big hit with everyone. Companies are gun shy about a lot of things.