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2021-11-30, 11:04 PM (ISO 8601)
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Benefits from having an odd score in a stat
Besides the requisite 13 needed to multiclass, do any stats gain a benefit from having an odd score? Because I realized one tonight-
STR- each point increase adds 15 pounds to your character's carrying capacity (say that three times fast).
Do any other stats gain a benefit for being odd?Last edited by Foolwise; 2021-11-30 at 11:04 PM.
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2021-11-30, 11:06 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat
Armor STR requirements are also odd.
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2021-11-30, 11:12 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Mar 2016
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Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat
While its not a specific benefit for an odd number, Intellect Devourers ability to devourer your intellect is a roll against your Intelligence score, so every point, both odd or even, is a defense against it.
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2021-11-30, 11:20 PM (ISO 8601)
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- May 2019
Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat
There are a few feats that require 13 in a stat. Examples include Skulker and Defensive Duelist (Dexterity), Inspiring Leader (Charisma), and Ritual Caster (Intelligence or Wisdom).
As far as I know that only applies to 13 specifically, and there's not a more general benefit there. But a character might benefit from some of the feats without strictly needing further investment.Avatar by me. Behold my art thread for a bigger-resolution view.
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2021-11-30, 11:58 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat
Here's a handy list of a few more cases: https://www.enworld.org/threads/what...-in-5e.629332/
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2021-12-01, 12:25 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat
You need a 13 in {stat} to be eligible for a multiclass that keys on that stat or stats. For example, you need 13 Dex and Wis to multiclass Ranger, even if you don't plan on using your Wis score for anything.
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2021-12-01, 12:30 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Nov 2015
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Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat
1 out of 6 stats has any kind of benefits for this anymore, and that's STR.
I think it's really bad design. IMHO, even in a fairly simplified game such as 5e, if you're going to have scores range between 3 and 18 (or 8 and 15) before individual adjustments, you should make it more meaningful, even if only slightly, to have an odd score in any ability.
In a past edition having an odd score in one of the mental abilities at least meant whether you could cast spells of specific spell level (e.g. 10 for cantrips a.k.a. 0-level spells, 11 for 1st-level, 12 for 2nd, 13 for 3rd, and so on). It's not much, but it's something.
I mean, sure, there are feats that have a requirement of minimum 13 in a score, but feats are an optional rule, and therefore it might not matter in a bare-bones game with nothing but the mandatory rules.Last edited by Arkhios; 2021-12-01 at 01:21 AM.
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2021-12-01, 03:17 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat
My personal opinion is that much greater weight should be given to the differences between ability scores anyway, let alone just the odd scores. Offering a meagre +1 for every two point is criminally insignificant. If "elven grace" or "dwarven fortitude" is going to mean anything, then the difference in a couple of edge cases or the odd HP or two is hardly giving me the fantasy of playing a race that is superhumanly agile or tough as a rock. Readjusting racial ASI's doesn't really cut it either; the problem lies in the baseline system that doesn't give enough weight to the difference in Ability Scores. Just my opinion.
I apologise if I come across daft. I'm a bit like that. I also like a good argument, so please don't take offence if I'm somewhat...forthright.
Please be aware; when it comes to 5ed D&D, I own Core (1st printing) and SCAG only. All my opinions and rulings are based solely on those, unless otherwise stated. I reserve the right of ignorance of errata or any other source.
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2021-12-01, 04:43 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat
Agreed. Though, I must admit I can somewhat understand why it's not +1 (or -1) for every point of score above (or below) 10. If it was at a 1:1 ratio, bonuses would go sky-high, and that's probably not what the designers want to happen. Although, one could make an argument that proficiency bonus would need to change one way or another (maybe even be removed entirely!?)
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2021-12-01, 04:51 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat
Gives you an incentive to take a half feat. Feels crummy to go from 18 to 19, going from 17 to 18 feels amazing.
But I also agree that it's bad design. 13 strength characters should be better at athletics than 12 strength characters, but they aren't.Black text is for sarcasm, also sincerity. You'll just have to read between the lines and infer from context like an animal
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2021-12-01, 09:26 AM (ISO 8601)
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2021-12-01, 11:46 AM (ISO 8601)
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2021-12-01, 11:59 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Aug 2021
Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat
My group uses that for initiative tiebreakers, so add one benefit for odd DEX scores.
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2021-12-02, 07:25 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat
Yeah initiative is really the only situation where this could reliably come up since it's an ordered group contested ability check.
Black text is for sarcasm, also sincerity. You'll just have to read between the lines and infer from context like an animal
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2021-12-02, 07:34 AM (ISO 8601)
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2021-12-02, 07:35 AM (ISO 8601)
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2021-12-02, 11:39 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat
I knew of a group that made your saving throw modifier go up on the odd ability score. So +1 at 11 +2 at 13 and so on, whereas your attack modifier remained at going up on the even. It makes the odd score more meaningful. I haven't been able to try it at my table because we all use DnD Beyond and it's 'too much bookkeeping man' but maybe one day.
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2021-12-02, 11:43 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat
15 Strength specifically is a valuable benchmark because it allows you to long-jump over 15-foot gaps, no check required. This matters because the game generally incentives designing environments in neat 5-foot square units, and thus it's likely that the ability to jump 15 rather than 14 feet is significant.
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2021-12-02, 12:28 PM (ISO 8601)
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2021-12-02, 01:54 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat
Last edited by Arkhios; 2021-12-02 at 02:22 PM.
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2021-12-02, 02:03 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat
I apologise if I come across daft. I'm a bit like that. I also like a good argument, so please don't take offence if I'm somewhat...forthright.
Please be aware; when it comes to 5ed D&D, I own Core (1st printing) and SCAG only. All my opinions and rulings are based solely on those, unless otherwise stated. I reserve the right of ignorance of errata or any other source.
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2021-12-02, 02:54 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat
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2021-12-02, 03:40 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat
At worst it would make monsters weaker by decreasing their relevant saves. The stat blocks are all based on even numbers, so any even number stat would be -1 to save. For example if it has 12 str, it would have +1 hit and damage but not a +1 to saves, which needs 13. If it needs 11 instead for +1 it’s stronger not weaker as any odd number stat grants a +1 to saves from its stat block, rather than removing it for an even number.
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2021-12-02, 04:14 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Sep 2021
Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat
Rather niche example, but it's relevant in a game I'm currently in: Linguist.
You can ably create written ciphers. Others can't decipher a code you create unless you teach them, they succeed on an Intelligence check (DC equal to your Intelligence score + your proficiency bonus), or they use magic to decipher it.
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2021-12-04, 08:02 AM (ISO 8601)
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2021-12-04, 08:11 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Aug 2006
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Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat
I apologise if I come across daft. I'm a bit like that. I also like a good argument, so please don't take offence if I'm somewhat...forthright.
Please be aware; when it comes to 5ed D&D, I own Core (1st printing) and SCAG only. All my opinions and rulings are based solely on those, unless otherwise stated. I reserve the right of ignorance of errata or any other source.
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2021-12-05, 12:55 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat
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