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<blockquote data-quote="Spatula" data-source="post: 4601639" data-attributes="member: 2198">There is a scaling issue caused by the ablity-score boosting mechanics.&nbsp; By 30th level you have +8 to two scores (+10 with demigod) and +2 to the other four.&nbsp; Or perhaps you spread out the increases some for +8 to one, +4 to two, and +2 to three.&nbsp; This creates a bonus disparity that affects your defense scores (one, possibly two of them are going to be in bad shape) and skill bonuses (which makes it hard to set reasonable skill DCs for challenges and the like).&nbsp; I don't know if the disparity is as big a problem as it is in 3e - for one thing, it only affects certain parts of the system instead of everything - but there's definitely some auto-hit potential there when facing &quot;boss&quot; monsters in the epic tier.&nbsp; The paragon feats that boost your defenses (lightning reflexes, etc.) are almost required for your weak defense.I've kinda wondered if the cheesy defense-boosting items in AV were a response to this.As an example, consider something like a 30th level halfling Cha-based rogue/demigod.&nbsp; Using the standard array to start and a +6 neck/cloak item, you end up withFort 33 (10 + 15 level + 6 item + 2 [13 starting Str or Con, boosted to 15 from levels])Refl 42 (10 + 15 level + 6 item + 2 class + 9 [18 starting Dex, boosted to 28 from levels/destiny])Will 39 (10 + 15 level + 6 item + 8 [16 starting Cha, boosted to 26 from levels/destiny])Any attack bonus that has a 50% chance of hitting the rogue's Reflex defense (that would be a +31) has a 95% chance of hitting the same character's Fortitude defense.&nbsp; Now look at Orcus, who has a +33 vs Fort attack and a +38 vs Fort attack.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Spatula, post: 4601639, member: 2198"] There is a scaling issue caused by the ablity-score boosting mechanics. By 30th level you have +8 to two scores (+10 with demigod) and +2 to the other four. Or perhaps you spread out the increases some for +8 to one, +4 to two, and +2 to three. This creates a bonus disparity that affects your defense scores (one, possibly two of them are going to be in bad shape) and skill bonuses (which makes it hard to set reasonable skill DCs for challenges and the like). I don't know if the disparity is as big a problem as it is in 3e - for one thing, it only affects certain parts of the system instead of [i]everything[/i] - but there's definitely some auto-hit potential there when facing "boss" monsters in the epic tier. The paragon feats that boost your defenses (lightning reflexes, etc.) are almost required for your weak defense. I've kinda wondered if the cheesy defense-boosting items in AV were a response to this. As an example, consider something like a 30th level halfling Cha-based rogue/demigod. Using the standard array to start and a +6 neck/cloak item, you end up with Fort 33 (10 + 15 level + 6 item + 2 [13 starting Str or Con, boosted to 15 from levels]) Refl 42 (10 + 15 level + 6 item + 2 class + 9 [18 starting Dex, boosted to 28 from levels/destiny]) Will 39 (10 + 15 level + 6 item + 8 [16 starting Cha, boosted to 26 from levels/destiny]) Any attack bonus that has a 50% chance of hitting the rogue's Reflex defense (that would be a +31) has a 95% chance of hitting the same character's Fortitude defense. Now look at Orcus, who has a +33 vs Fort attack and a +38 vs Fort attack. [/QUOTE]

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