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Thread: I'm confused on stats
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2007-11-14, 06:08 PM (ISO 8601)
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I'm confused on stats
on every roll modifier bonus, 12 14 16 etc
What does it mean in terms of roleplaying/real life situations?
how much stronger or dexterous or smarter would one be? I apologize if this topic was done before, I could not find it using search.
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2007-11-14, 06:18 PM (ISO 8601)
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2007-11-14, 06:25 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: I'm confused on stats
I'm fairly sure Int to IQ doesn't work that way.
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2007-11-14, 06:33 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: I'm confused on stats
If you must equate intelligence to IQ, the correct equivalence is 1 point of int = 5 points of IQ. Thus, with 10 int = 100 IQ as the average, 18 int = 140 IQ and 3 int = 65 IQ. Technically it really should be 10.5 int = 100 IQ, but that minor difference isn't very significant.
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2007-11-14, 06:34 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: I'm confused on stats
Especially since Intelligence is more than just what IQ represents, and IQ is not a perfect representation of someone's intelligence anyway.
As for the OP, it could be roleplayed as when the character gains the stat gain, and goes to an even number, he has learned something through his adventures (in the case of Int), gained practice and improved their body, (Con, Dex, and Str), became more charismatic from practice, (Cha), or become more wise from experience (Wis).
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2007-11-14, 08:16 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: I'm confused on stats
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2007-11-14, 08:28 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: I'm confused on stats
For all stats, 10 is average for a human being. Compare from there.
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2007-11-14, 08:58 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: I'm confused on stats
the trouble is that above 16 and below 5, the stats relating Int, just kinda...break. See link below for details.
http://www.frontiernet.net/~jamessta...tatistics.html
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2007-11-14, 09:01 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: I'm confused on stats
Damn. I read an article on the internut defending the "realism" of D&D that went through all the stats giving them a real-life equivalent that I always want to offer up when these questions are asked. Basically, 10-11 fitted as approximately average, something like 12-16 were exceptional individuals but no more than, say, an athlete or a scholar, and 17-20 was in the realms of mythological heroism, but then you're playing fantasy heroes anyway. If anyone knows where it is I'd love to know, I should save it in my favourites or somesuch.
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2007-11-14, 09:06 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: I'm confused on stats
I'm very skeptical to such estimations. 18 is easily within normal human limits. Proof? An STR 8 character versus an STR 18 one in an arms-wrestling contest (or any other feat of pure strength and not anything which you could consider a skill/BAB/save). Even if we consider that draws are won by the stronger one, the STR 8 one wins in 25% cases. Show me a herculean athlete who loses an armswrestling contest to a skinny geek 1/4th of a time.
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2007-11-14, 09:16 PM (ISO 8601)
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2007-11-14, 09:52 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: I'm confused on stats
Originally Posted by Cubey
If "stats" are generated with a roll of 3d6, one out of 216 people will have an 18 in a certain stat.
Spoiler
18 Int=Smartest ~0.5% of the population (1/216)
17 Int=Next Smartest ~1.5% of the population (3/216)
16 Int=Next Smartest ~3% of the population (6/216)
15 Int=Next Smartest ~4% of the population (10/216)
14 Int=Next Smartest ~7% of the population (15/216)
13 Int=Next Smartest ~9% of the population (21/216)
12 Int=Next Smartest ~12% of the population (25/216)
11 Int=Next Smartest ~13% of the population (27/216)
10 Int=Next Smartest ~13% of the population (27/216)
9 Int=Next Smartest ~12% of the population (25/216)
8 Int=Next Smartest ~9% of the population (21/216)
7 Int=Next Smartest ~7% of the population (15/216)
6 Int=Next Smartest ~4% of the population (10/216)
5 Int=Next Smartest ~3% of the population (6/216)
4 Int=Next Smartest ~1.5% of the population (3/216)
3 Int=Next Smartest ~0.5% of the population (1/216)
Adjust meanings by statistic. Numbers stay the same.
Last edited by Temp; 2007-11-15 at 12:36 PM.
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2007-11-14, 10:19 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: I'm confused on stats
It's a highly debated issue. There are no official rules or comparisons on the subject, so of course everyone has an opinion. I'm one of those who likes to define stats in only the vaguest terms. For example, anything from -2 to +2 is roughly average. Anything +3 or above is exceptional, while anything -3 or below is poor. Beyond this I don't like to define what exactly stats mean in the game because firstly, players will play their characters however they want to regardless of their stats and monsters...well monster stats are pretty arbitrary and exist mostly to provide HPs, AB, damage, saves and DCs.
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2007-11-14, 10:25 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: I'm confused on stats
Strength is very easy to figure out. Check out the carrying capacity table on page (161?) of the Player's Handbook.
Go to the gym and do a deadlift for the maximum weight you can handle. Then do a shoulder press or jerk.
Deadlift = Lift off ground weight
Shoulder Press/Jerk = Overhead weight
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2007-11-14, 10:33 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: I'm confused on stats
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2007-11-14, 10:43 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: I'm confused on stats
Really, since all D&D mechanics are is application of probability, your Int ect scores really just reflect the probability that you know something, can lift something, have a good idea, whatever.
I would think of an increase in your Int score as you paying attention a lot to little facts you overhear or studying when you get the chance. The same goes for Knowledge skills but with more emphasis on study and less on overheard or briefly mentioned information. If your character doesn't bother remembering little bits of information and instead does magic tricks and practices balancing things and on things then his Dexterity would improve instead.
At some point you can say that a character is no longer getting stronger or smarter their proficiency in using that skill is growing. A character with an Int of 40 doesn't necessarily know exponentially more than a character with a 20 in Int. They can however recall that information much quicker and with greater accuracy. They might also have more obscure bits of lore or ones that pertain to them more than to a lower level character. This same thing can be applies to Strength. The character with a 40 in Strength is only a little bit stronger than the character with the 22 (baring massive magical enhancements which don't have a real limit since it's, you know, magic) he can just apply that force in a better way. He braces himself better, swings his sword for maximum effect, and hits the door at its weakest point. If you don't believe me on the Strength bit just watch karate or a professional who relies on Strength. If you get bull rushed enough times or break down enough doors then you will learn the best way move and act in these situations. In this way an Epic Level Fighter with a massive Strength bonus really can trip and grapple a dragon because he knows the best place to hit its leg and where the proper application of force with have the most effect.
This isn't to say that incredibly high stats aren't just what they look like. But after a certain point the bonus is experience and practice as much as it is raw power or knowledge.
Keep in mind that this is just my interpretation of the rules and not in any way official so don't take it as gospel and feel free to debate this with me or just plain disagree.
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2007-11-14, 10:46 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: I'm confused on stats
"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." Kurt Vonnegut
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2007-11-14, 10:48 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: I'm confused on stats
Except the PHB specifically states that in a match of pure strength (such as an arm-wrestling match, which they state), the stronger character simply wins. So a STR18 wins 100% of the time.
and if they are equal, you're supposed to flip a coin I think, but I would simply compare Con, to see if who can keep it up longer.
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2007-11-14, 10:48 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: I'm confused on stats
Also, they're going to be superhumanly quick at putting together pieces of obscure information, and their plans will be superhumanly complicated.
This same thing can be applies to Strength. The character with a 40 in Strength is only a little bit stronger than the character with the 22 (baring massive magical enhancements which don't have a real limit since it's, you know, magic) he can just apply that force in a better way. He braces himself better, swings his sword for maximum effect, and hits the door at its weakest point. If you don't believe me on the Strength bit just watch karate or a professional who relies on Strength.
If you get bull rushed enough times or break down enough doors then you will learn the best way move and act in these situations. In this way an Epic Level Fighter with a massive Strength bonus really can trip and grapple a dragon because he knows the best place to hit its leg and where the proper application of force with have the most effect.
No matter how cleverly you employ the strength you have, there is no way for you to carry around two tons of concrete without having superhuman strength. But a Strength 40 character can do exactly that.
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2007-11-14, 10:53 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: I'm confused on stats
I believe there is something listed in either the players handbook or the DM's guide about arm wrestling. It states that for some opposed ability checks (and specifically gives arm wrestling as an example), you do not need to roll. The better person simply wins. This could work for a sprint (DEX), a race (CON), a test (INT), or anything else where it simply comes down to who is better in the stat.
EDIT: Attack of the SUPER simu ninjas!Last edited by Jack Zander; 2007-11-14 at 10:54 PM.
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2007-11-15, 12:38 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: I'm confused on stats
Addendum:
Originally Posted by Temp
Does that make sense? Not really, but it's just a game.Last edited by Temp; 2007-11-15 at 12:41 PM.
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2007-11-15, 12:53 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: I'm confused on stats
I think this is the one you're talking about.
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2007-11-15, 01:07 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: I'm confused on stats
It is indeed, thanks very muchly. Save'd. I recommend it, Sir OP.
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