Why do we have ability scores?

[fuindordm]

Aside from preserving the 3d6/4d6 bell curve...

As already pointed out, each point of Con = 1 HP at first level.
There will probably be a carrying capacity table for Strength where every point matters.

It would be nice if the other raw scores had a minor role as well. It is handy and potentially useful that the ability score scale is about the same size as the level scale. Maybe the mental scores still limit magical power (Wizards can't learn a power whose level is greater than their Int...)?

 

[kennew142]

As far as I can tell, ability scores are just a legacy issue. However, it is one of a few legacies that I would be very upset to see go (along with using d20 instead of percentile dice, character classes and class levels). On a personal level, I find negative ability scores to be unappealing. Furthermore, I like having an easy method (not involving a chart) for randomly determining ability scores of NPCs.

The final reason to keep them is that they do not detract from game play, or make the game harder to understand. There is no pressing reason to get rid of them that is perceived by the wider gaming community. Whether you like the changes in the new edition or not, they appear to be somewhat popular with the D&D audience. I sincerely doubt that removing ability scores would be greeted with anywhere near so much approval - or even neutrality.

 

[Oldtimer]

Assuming 4e doesn't have multiple ability modifiers applied to the same stat, which would be the case in 3.x for the monk's AC and the paladin's saves, the solution would be simply to shift the numbers by 5: -5 would be 0, -4 would be 1, -3 => 2, -2 => 3, -1 => 4, 0 => 5 and so forth. It doesn't matter if your +2 to hit becomes +7 if your AC of 15 becomes 20. Of course, damage would increase greatly and HP would have to keep up with it.

This is a good idea. As a variation you could keep the normal ability score and just use half the score when you need to add your modifier. Same thing.

 

[HeinorNY]