Ability scores.
Get rid of them. Completely. Increase proficiency bonus to include the expected modifier from a maxed-out primary stat. Whenever you pick up a d20--for a skill check, attack roll, whatever--you are either rolling 1d20 plus proficiency bonus, or 1d20 with no modifier at all.
This would require a fair bit of work to strip out ability scores from other areas (e.g., taking saving throws back to Fort/Ref/Will, figuring out weapon damage modifiers, calculating AC), but the end result would be a much cleaner ruleset, with a shallower learning curve, and a much wider space for character concepts that work mechanically.
Get rid of them. Completely. Increase proficiency bonus to include the expected modifier from a maxed-out primary stat. Whenever you pick up a d20--for a skill check, attack roll, whatever--you are either rolling 1d20 plus proficiency bonus, or 1d20 with no modifier at all.
This would require a fair bit of work to strip out ability scores from other areas (e.g., taking saving throws back to Fort/Ref/Will, figuring out weapon damage modifiers, calculating AC), but the end result would be a much cleaner ruleset, with a shallower learning curve, and a much wider space for character concepts that work mechanically.