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  1. - Top - End - #1
    Dwarf in the Playground
     
    DrowGirl

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    Default 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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    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    Devil

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    Default Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat

    Armor STR requirements are also odd.

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    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    PirateGuy

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    Default 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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    Dwarf in the Playground
     
    Lavaeolus's Avatar

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    Default 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.
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    EvilClericGuy

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    Default 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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    Psyren's Avatar

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    Default 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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    Ettin in the Playground
     
    SolithKnightGuy

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    Default 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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    Ettin in the Playground
     
    Imp

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    Default Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat

    Quote Originally Posted by Arkhios View Post
    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.
    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.
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    Ettin in the Playground
     
    SolithKnightGuy

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    Default Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat

    Quote Originally Posted by JellyPooga View Post
    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.
    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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    Troll in the Playground
     
    Imp

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    Default 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.
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    Ettin in the Playground
     
    SolithKnightGuy

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    Default Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat

    Quote Originally Posted by Mastikator View Post
    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.
    What happens to said incentive when feats are not available (as an optional rule, it is a fair possibility) is worth considering, especially from the design perspective.
    Last edited by Arkhios; 2021-12-01 at 10:10 AM.

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    Ogre in the Playground
     
    BarbarianGuy

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    Default Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat

    Quote Originally Posted by Mastikator View Post
    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.
    I don't know how often it would come up, but you could use the ability score to break opposed-roll ties when the modifiers are the same.

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    Dwarf in the Playground
     
    DrowGirl

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    Default 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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    Troll in the Playground
     
    Imp

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    Default 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.
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    Ogre in the Playground
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    Default Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat

    Quote Originally Posted by Foolwise View Post
    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?
    This is a pretty tricky rule, since it's overridden by the fact that characters carry whatever they want without checking their carrying capacity.

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    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    PaladinGuy

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    Default Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat

    Quote Originally Posted by Arkhios View Post
    What happens to said incentive when feats are not available (as an optional rule, it is a fair possibility) is worth considering, especially from the design perspective.
    You can still use your ASI to do +1 to two stats, instead of +2 to a single stat. Not the best thing, but if you have two odd ability scores it is a nice boost in power.

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    Halfling in the Playground
     
    RangerGuy

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    Default 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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    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    ElfWarriorGuy

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    Default 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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    HalflingPirate

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    Default Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat

    All the heavy armors with strength requirements to avoid the penalties require odd numbers.
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    Ettin in the Playground
     
    SolithKnightGuy

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    Default Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat

    Quote Originally Posted by Silly Name View Post
    You can still use your ASI to do +1 to two stats, instead of +2 to a single stat. Not the best thing, but if you have two odd ability scores it is a nice boost in power.
    Mhm. Yes, I'm aware. FWIW, I've both DM'd and played this edition since its release, and consider myself fairly knowledgeable in its intricacies.

    To my defense, I wasn't asking a question, but making a statement.
    Last edited by Arkhios; 2021-12-02 at 02:22 PM.

  21. - Top - End - #21
    Ettin in the Playground
     
    Imp

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    Default Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat

    Quote Originally Posted by Catullus64 View Post
    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.
    Hmm; counterpoint. To jump a 15ft pit would require 16 Stt at least to accomodate launch and landing distance. After all, feet have width (or length, depending on how you view it).
    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.

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    Default Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat

    Quote Originally Posted by wookietek View Post
    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.
    I've talked to a number of folks who have seen that house rule but have not played at a table with it yet. Seems an interesting idea ... but does this work for monsters too?
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    Bugbear in the Playground
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    Default Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat

    Quote Originally Posted by KorvinStarmast View Post
    I've talked to a number of folks who have seen that house rule but have not played at a table with it yet. Seems an interesting idea ... but does this work for monsters too?
    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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  24. - Top - End - #24
    Halfling in the Playground
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    Default 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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    PaladinGuy

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    Default Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat

    Quote Originally Posted by JellyPooga View Post
    Hmm; counterpoint. To jump a 15ft pit would require 16 Stt at least to accomodate launch and landing distance. After all, feet have width (or length, depending on how you view it).
    Making a jump over a given distance is measured by successful completion of clearing that distance. Like long jump being measured at the heels.

    Unless you were being sarcastic in which case woosh. Lol

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    Ettin in the Playground
     
    Imp

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    Default Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat

    Quote Originally Posted by yellowrocket View Post
    Making a jump over a given distance is measured by successful completion of clearing that distance. Like long jump being measured at the heels.

    Unless you were being sarcastic in which case woosh. Lol
    I'd also note that long jumpers fall over when they clear a distance. Not a useful resolution when instead of a sand-pit, you're jumping over a pit-pit! It is, of course, up to your GM how they adjudicate "clearing" a distance.
    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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    Ettin in the Playground
     
    MonkGuy

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    Default Re: Benefits from having an odd score in a stat

    Quote Originally Posted by JellyPooga View Post
    I'd also note that long jumpers fall over when they clear a distance. Not a useful resolution when instead of a sand-pit, you're jumping over a pit-pit! It is, of course, up to your GM how they adjudicate "clearing" a distance.
    Ideally they would do so in the spirit of how it's written in the book, where it states you can clear 1 foot for every point of strength you have.
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