Quote Originally Posted by Psyren View Post
Agreed, this is nuts. You might as well ban Str-based classes for those races entirely, while the Powerful Build ones would be crazy to take anything else.
It also makes Strength-based classes (arguably the most simple classes-run to enemy, hit with weapon, repeat) have even less incentive to branch out.

Normally, it takes two ASIs to max your main stat. You can start at 16 easily, so +2 at levels four and eight (six for Fighter) nets you a 20.
With this rule, it'd take five ASIs to max Strength. Start at 16, then +2 at levels four, eight, twelve, sixteen, and nineteen nets you a 26. A Fighter has room for two feats besides that, but a Barbarian doesn't.

Even if you roll for stats, get an 18, and have +2 Strength from race choice, you still need three ASIs to max it-more than starting with a 16 needs. You wouldn't be encouraged to look at picking up a fun flavor feat, or shoring up defenses, till level sixteen (twelve for Fighter).