D&D 5E What is +1 Strength worth?

[GMforPowergamers]

I agree completely...everyone having the same ability scores, for purely math reasons, is one of my biggest gripes with the game. I do everything on my end to fix this, like avoiding point-buy and arrays, but I can't remember the last time I saw a character that didn't have 20 in their key ability score by 4th level. The assumption that "I must start with an 18 in <whatever> to be effective" is absolutely false, but it's still very strong among players.

how does not useing arrays and point buy (so I assume rolling) help if people still put highest in X second highest in Y?

 

[The Old Crow]

Not when only Starsky uses 2nd Wind. It has more impact than the +1.

Sorry, that quote was from the OP. I should have specified.

The change you were talking about there was bumping both to 3rd level, not adding Second Wind.

 

[CleverNickName]

how does not useing arrays and point buy (so I assume rolling) help if people still put highest in X second highest in Y?

Using arrays and point-buy does nothing to keep people from putting their highest stat in their key ability score and their second-highest in Con. But it does help prevent every character at the table from having six identical ability scores. And it's not a problem if they do, per se, I just think it's boring. I start rolling my eyes after I've seen the same character with 10 different names.

 

[Crimson Longinus]

Using arrays and point-buy does nothing to keep people from putting their highest stat in their key ability score and their second-highest in Con. But it does help prevent every character at the table from having six identical ability scores. And it's not a problem if they do, per se, I just think it's boring. I start rolling my eyes after I've seen the same character with 10 different names.

How it logically should work under point buy, is that your class' main score costs more! Yes, it might seem counterintuitive and is in effect the exact opposite of the current situation where the initial ASIs are de facto determined by the class, thus effectively making the main score cheaper. But if we want not-maxing the main score to be a viable option, and accept that the main score is most 'valuable' then it follows that it should cost more than the scores that are 'less valuable' to your class.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

How it logically should work under point buy, is that your class' main score costs more!

but what is the fighter's main stat? str or dex? what about the cleric Wis or Str? the Paliden Str or Cha?

 

[Crimson Longinus]

@GMforPowergamers

Full caster: the main stat is the stat you cast with.
Others: the main stat is the stat you attack with using weapons.

 

[Bill Zebub]

FWIW, please don’t take my analysis and conclusions to mean I love the system. I’m just the messenger.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

@GMforPowergamers

Full caster: the main stat is the stat you cast with.
Others: the main stat is the stat you attack with using weapons.

but you can attack with str or dex, so will both cost more?

 

[Crimson Longinus]

but you can attack with str or dex, so will both cost more?

Whichever is higher. If equal, one of them, it doesn't matter.

 

[Maxperson]

Not when only Starsky uses 2nd Wind. It has more impact than the +1.

So the +1 is such a minor amount of damage increase that in a long fight a mere 8 or 9 hit points overcomes it?