Will CON become a dump stat?

[phil500]

Ok so this is a question for those who enjoy roll playing or min-maxing.

It seems like even defenders may be able to dump con.

Lets compare a FTR starting with a con of 10 vs 18.

In 3.5, at level 20: 80 HP difference.
In 4E, at level 30: 8 HP difference.

Also: In 4E, if I remember correctly, you apply the max of STR or CON as your fort save bonus.

So the 2 best reasons to have a high con in 3.5 seem irrelevant in 4E.

Am I missing something?

 

[Nifft]

I presume there'll be Con-based Feats (like SW Saga has) and Con-based Powers.

Otherwise, nope. Looks right on.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Charwoman Gene]

Am I missing something?

I'm not an expert on the "math" of 4e, (I mis-learned 3e by looking at the previews to deeply so I am wary,) but if I remember right Constitution affects Healing Surges. Healing Surges represent your total hit points for the day, including healing. I'm playing only Hammer-Weilding Dwarves as fighters.

 

[prototype00]

Ok so this is a question for those who enjoy roll playing or min-maxing.

It seems like even defenders may be able to dump con.

Lets compare a FTR starting with a con of 10 vs 18.

In 3.5, at level 20: 80 HP difference.
In 4E, at level 30: 8 HP difference.

Also: In 4E, if I remember correctly, you apply the max of STR or CON as your fort save bonus.

So the 2 best reasons to have a high con in 3.5 seem irrelevant in 4E.

Am I missing something?

Apparently *as far as I can recall* the number of healing surges that you get is dependent on your con. Thats a big deal.

prototype00

 

[kennew142]

Apparently *as far as I can recall* the number of healing surges that you get is dependent on your con. Thats a big deal.

prototype00

Especially since 4e treats hp as encounter hp and healing surges as daily hp. Especially for a defender, every healing surge counts.

 

[phil500]

Ah forgot about that. That is very significant at lower levels. Dont know about later.


So the ftr with con 18 would have 4 more surges than the one with 10?

 

[Derren]

Apparently *as far as I can recall* the number of healing surges that you get is dependent on your con. Thats a big deal.

Not really. You just rest 1-2 encounters earlier.

 

[Voss]

Actually, what I suspect will happen is that for some classes (even some defenders) Str will be a dump stat.
The classes that will be really impressive will focus on Con, Dex, and Cha or Wis (doesn't matter much which from what we've seen at this point, wis may have a bit of an edge since it buffs perception, but that can be worked around).

Con gives extra healing surges and a few extra hp (which by themselves do little, but they do mean you heal more with each surge), strength only matters if you attack without an at-will power. (or if you have str based powers)
Dex adds to initiative, Int doesn't seem to add to anything but powers that directly use it.

 

[Patlin]

Here's hoping that each stat will do at least one thing usefull to everyone.

 

[Andur]

Correct, and there are also "plenty" of abilities, feats, powers, etc. which will rely on not just CON, but all attributes.

I'd say for the min-maxer there will be the opportunity to "stack" three stats and tank the other three and be viable though limited in what all they can do. Likewise, the pure "build the attributes around the concept" can pretty much go around with a standard array and be a fairly versatile and effective character.