D&D 5E Variant Ability scores and mods in 5e: B/X or AD&D 2e

[DND_Reborn]

Make proficiency bonus more important than the ability mod.

An easy change we've implemented at times is allow half proficiency bonus to replace an ability modifier.

This way, by level 17+, each character can use either their ability modifier or a +3, whichever is higher.

 

[DND_Reborn]

(I'll probably halve the monster's HP though).

Yeah, hitting is harder in our games so I've removed CON bonus from monsters, giving them about 50-75% their listed HP. Too much HP bloat in 5E.