D&D 5E (2024) The impact of reducing Ability Scores?

[TwoSix]

So you’re saying that if the max starting ability score was 16 you would feel adequate if your character’s point allowed you to get to 16 in one stat?

Broadly, yes.

What about if the max starting ability score was 14? Would you feel the same way.

Yes. There's a point where I would probably NOT feel that way. It's somewhere between 12 and 14, I think. A starting max of 10 or 12 feels like it's too punitive.

Does the lifetime cap on the stat have any bearing on this?

It can, depending on implementation. The primary mechanic that would create that feeling of "inadequacy" (and thus, less fun) is a large gap between what my character is and what they could be at their current level with the ruleset and house rules in place. The secondary mechanic that promotes that feeling of inadequacy (to me) is having to invest a large amount of resources into the character's stats to push them up to the maximum level.

You don't feel short in a house with a low ceiling, basically.

 

[Clint_L]

I feel like this whole exercise of meddling with a big and well oiled machine and interlocking systems can be avoided by simply turning the knob named "Encounter Difficulty", unless the express purpose is to take tools away from the players.

This is mathematically factual. The OP's suggestion is to adjust difficulty by tuning the PCs down rather than their opponents up. The end result is same-same. It's kind of like halving PC hit points versus doubling monster HP. /shrug

 

[Lakesidefantasy]

Remember when starting stats could be low as 3!

They still can.

 

[Piperken]

...I guess the question is what would the consequences of this be?...

Regular adventurer equipment which grant benefits for checks, would become more important.

Magic items, esp. ones that grant bonuses to stats, would be seen by the table as more valuable.

 

[aiouh]

They still can.

Roleplaying dump stats or horrible 3d6 rolls can be funny for one-shots, but it sounds exhausting when doing anything long-form. At some point you gotta ask yourself, is Ravenloft about People braving the Dark and Triumphing over Evil TM or Grog the Barbarian being really really deficient in crystalline intelligence tasks.

 

[TwoSix]

Regular adventurer equipment which grant benefits for checks, would become more important.

Magic items, esp. ones that grant bonuses to stats, would be seen by the table as more valuable.

For sure. Items like gauntlets of ogre strength or a headband of intellect should be at least of "rare" rarity in such a regime, as opposed to merely "uncommon".

 

[TheSword]

I can see class and subclass abilities that have usage keyed off ability score bonus would be affected more than those that don’t. Looking at the PHB it seems most classes/subclasses have a mix of proficiency per day powers and something ability score related. I didn’t see any where everything was ability score related. But might have missed something.

 

[TheSword]

Roleplaying dump stats or horrible 3d6 rolls can be funny for one-shots, but it sounds exhausting when doing anything long-form. At some point you gotta ask yourself, is Ravenloft about People braving the Dark and Triumphing over Evil TM or Grog the Barbarian being really really deficient in crystalline intelligence tasks.

I think there are ways of making it more interesting. You could attach a flaw to each stats of 7 or lower and reward players with inspiration if their character roleplays that well. I think Ravenloft can be about exploring the human condition in all its many variances. If that’s what the group wants. I prefer it best when it’s pitched half way between Call of Cthulhu and D&D baseline. Curse of Strahd for our group was pretty effective. Achieved by keeping them 2 levels lower than expected and each character having a pretty significant flaw.

I actually think it least satisfying when used simply as a vehicle for kicking evil’s ass.

 

[TwoSix]

I think there are ways of making it more interesting. You could attach a flaw to each stats of 7 or lower and reward players with inspiration if their character roleplays that well. I think Ravenloft can be about exploring the human condition in all its many variances. If that’s what the group wants. I prefer it best when it’s pitched half way between Call of Cthulhu and D&D baseline. Curse of Strahd for our group was pretty effective. Achieved by keeping them 2 levels lower than expected and each character having a pretty significant flaw.

I actually think it least satisfying when used simply as a vehicle for kicking evil’s ass.

For a Ravenloft type game, I might want to conceive of a lower stat as not being the result of simply a personal deficiency, but rather the result of a curse or some other Dark Power opposed punishment.

 

[Maxperson]

Do you think the mechanical bonuses granted by feats are as good as that extra +1 for taking a +2 ASI Instead?

In my opinion, they are much better. Feats impact the game more often, highly visible, and in greater ways than a +1 does.