TheWriterFantastic™
Explorer
Well, this was one of those .... things. The RAW in the strength table gave the various percentile strength limits for races.
Fun fact- humans had the highest possible strength at 18/00, even though 1/2 orcs had the strength modifier (+1). 1/2 orcs maxed out at 18/99. GYGAX!!!!!
Of course, the whole percentile system was hard to reconcile with the 19-25 abilities you could get with certain magic items. But you managed. Or you just cross-referenced some tables, and then through your hands up in the air, like you just don't care.![]()
It also helped that PC strength scores were still capped at 18, before rolling for Exceptional Strength: scores of 19-25 were outliers to the norm, with assistance from rare items, and not attainable outside of magical assistance. The 19-25 range for scores wasn't even housed in the core books, not appearing until Deities & Demigods, and was solely intended for statting those titular beings, still not PCs.