Exceptionally low ability scores

[Human Paragon 3]

I noticed that the point buy does not allow you to purchase exceptionally low scores. It's still possible to role them, but I get the sense that 5e is an edition without PC scores lower than 8 as a design choice.

What if a player wanted to RP a character that had an exceptionally low Int or Str as a role-playing challenge? Or any score really?

There aren't really guidelines for this. Clearly you could just give yourself a low stat and play it, and the game would probably work fine. But if you're using point buy, would you as a DM give some other boon to make up for this? What would an acceptable trade off be? I'm very wary of giving out bonus feats or letting players tank a score to get a 20 in their primary stat at level 1.

[heavyfuel]

Point buy doesn't allow for exceptionally high stats either...

Anyway, if a player wants a low stat for RP reasons, let them have it, for RP reasons. Too often RP is used to disguise munchkinry, like, for example, a player playing an Int 3 character (which is the best dump stat for non Int casters) just to have another stat start at 18 plus racial mod.

[Daishain]

I'd rather leave the temptation of min maxing off the table. 8 intelligence is already pretty... limited in terms of mental faculties, and one can role-play it even dumber without the need to actually reduce that score.

[xyianth]

I agree that I would not let them dump a stat just to pump others. One thing you could do is give them the lucky feat in exchange. (if you must give them something at all) This is a great feat, but it won't overpower anyone and could kind of represent the extra luck the character might have to rely on due to their disability. I would not give a bonus feat of the players choice however, as that will lead to pure munchkinery. (no idea if that is a word, but I like it)