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Message: <blockquote data-quote="wingsandsword" data-source="post: 2437430" data-attributes="member: 14159">So, a human who begun with an 18 strength, and put points into it at each level, so at 20th level they reached 23 STR, and set a world record.Funny how the system works out like that somehow.Really, above 18 strength is world-class but realistically possible, above 23 is getting into superhuman strength.  By the same token, while there is more controversy over high IQ's (many players and DM's I know generally assume Int = IQ/10, a little crude, but it's popular and generally fits), the current Guinness record holder is Marilyn Vos Savant with 228 (it also depends on the test and such, there is controvery here, but just for the sake of this argument 228 fits well), which when divided by 10 comes to between 22 and 23, again as high as a human character can go without magical aid or going Epic.  The standard scores vary between 100 and 110 depending on the test, and that divides to 10 to 11, being human average.  Also, this means that a PC with a 16 intelligence is quite literally a genius, much like somebody with a 16 strength is quite a strong and tough person, and so on.There is a famous quote (I wish I could find the exact source, either it's from Gygax or a book he wrote) that uses Hitler as an example of an 18 Charisma.  Now, that was meant for AD&D, but it also means that the incredibly charismatic dictator who built an entire nation into a cult of personality around him did not have a Charisma in the "superhuman" range.  Only in very high level and high fantasy games (which RAW D&D is by the teen levels) or superhero games would anybody ever think of a 17 or 18 as "low" in something somebody is good at.  If you have a 17, you're probably famous for that ability score.  The wisest person you know IRL might have a 17, that beloved local politician who everybody seems to like would be lucky to have a 17.  A big, tough soldier who's known throughout the base as a big brick of a man who always wins at armwrestling might be a 17 strength.Don't be ashamed of a 17 in an ability score, it's quite potent.</blockquote>

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