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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Brother MacLaren" data-source="post: 3783374" data-attributes="member: 15999">There are a few ways around this that would reduce powergaming and streamline gameplay.  Str-boosting items could go back to giving a flat bonus (Gauntlets of Ogre Power in earlier editions, Divine Power in 3.0).  That's not a bad mechanic as long as the buffs are curtailed enough that an 18 Str is *usually* a boost.Enlarge doesn't have to boost the Str score.  It effectively boosts certain Str-related things (weapon damage, carrying capacity).  Removing the +2 Str bonus, you'd sacrifice a tiny bit of power for a tiny bit of speed of gameplay.Rage isn't necessary, and in fact I hope to see it removed -- along with a lot of other abilities that let you trade defense for offense.  The effect is that the barbarian shines more brightly -- doing more damage -- while the cleric has to spend more actions and spells on healing.  If DMs are NOT willing to kill PCs, then the barbarian really suffers no drawback for this.  If the DM is willing to kill PCs, then the cost generally falls on the player of the cleric.In general I hope they pare back the number of things that increase ability scores.  Obviously Polymorph will need to change, but that's nothing new.</blockquote>