D&D (2024) Sacred Cows: Ability Scores

[niklinna]

Pathfinder 2 does that and I hate it. I thought it wouldn’t bother me, but it really did.

I thought Pathfinder 2 wouldn't bother me, but it really did.

 

[loverdrive]

It seems like a solution in search of a problem. All you're doing is removing granularity, familiarity, and tradition- you're not fixing anything that's broken, at least that I can see.

I mean, everything that could be removed, should be removed. Having less moving parts is better than having more moving parts, given the difference in end results is negligible.

Ability scores don't really do anything, so what's even the point of retaining them? Granularity is pretty much a non-thing since there's almost nothing that gives only +1 to an ability.

WotC effectively eliminated ability scores already, so I don't see any reason to not go all the way and just get rid of it completely.

Now, if they brought back B/X table or AD&D additional bonuses for high scores, retaining them would be at least justifiable.

 

[Scribe]

No, I much prefer the half measures.

Interesting. I dont think its helping much at all.

That's pretty terrible business advice.

Well, perhaps thats the point. This 'slowly boiling the frog' approach is pretty terrible to me.

 

[Lakesidefantasy]

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?

It's not just granularity.

Maybe we can list the places in the game where the ability score is required rather than the modifier. Admittedly I don't know them all (or maybe I do).

1. Carrying Capacity.
2. How far our characters can jump.
3. Multiclassing Prerequisites.
4. Ability Score drain.
5. Ability Modifiers themselves are derived from Ability Scores.

Granted, any of these things can be changed in a new edition, but it's not just granularity.

Also, have any of us mentioned the True 20 system?

 

[Aldarc]

If we get rid of scores, how will we roll for ability scores?

DnD without rolled abilities would be like Star Wars without laser swords.

Consult a chart like in Fantasy Age, which basically got rid of ability scores in favor of modifiers only but still has rolling for stats with 3d6.

 

[R_J_K75]

When we get a new editions, should we dispense with ability scores and just have bonuses listed instead?

Yes. As a DM I havent called for a straight ability score in years. Its always give me a STR check. thats roll a d20 add your bonus..., so yeah, 86 them.

 

[Bolares]

The doors to get into and out of businesses must give you nightmares.

You're joking, but that happens sometimes to Brazillian tourists abroad. If you ever see someone having trouble pushing a door, now you know.

 

[Oofta]

You're joking, but that happens sometimes to Brazillian tourists abroad. If you ever see someone having trouble pushing a door, now you know.

Sadly speaking from experience from ... umm ... a friend ... it doesn't always have anything to do with language.

 

[Maxperson]

You're joking, but that happens sometimes to Brazillian tourists abroad. If you ever see someone having trouble pushing a door, now you know.

Years ago I was playing D&D with a group of friends. The DM lives in a luxury apartment building and would reserve the meeting room every Sunday. The meeting room had two walls that were entirely large glass windows. The smaller wall went to the lobby. The larger was to the community pool area.

One day we were in the room gaming when a blond woman walked through the lobby in her bathing suit headed for the pool. When she got to the door she started pulling on the door, but it wouldn't open since it was push from that side. Instead of switching, she just kept pulling and pulling. A brunette woman had arrived to head to the pool area while the blond was pulling and reached around and pushed the door open. The blond thanked her and both went through. At that point we were just observing and nobody thought much of it and the game continued.

About an hour and a half later we noticed the blond woman leaving the pool area at the same time as the brunette woman. When she got to the door she started trying to push it open, but of course it was pull from this side. As she continued to push several times, not switching to pull, the brunette with the most incredulous look on her face reached around and pulled the door open. The blond thanked her again and they both went their separate ways. That was the point where one of the players, I can't remember who, turned to the group and said, "Did we just see a blond joke?"

After the amusement and some small amount of discussion about hair dyes settled down, the game continued. Now I have another possible explanation for what happened.

 

[Bolares]

It was also a pain in the ass when I was a kid playing star wars games. I always mixed up force push and force pull