Talk:Ability Arrays (3.5e Variant Rule)

Ratings

	Surgo dislikes this article and rated it 1 of 4.
	Should at least be an option for an array that gives you an 18.

Discussion

There is no array that gives an 18. This makes me sad. --Havvy 08:01, 25 February 2011 (UTC)

That is odd, I figure high power would have at least one. Maybe I've been playing too many high level games...

For the lulz...

• 17-15-13-11-10-9
• 18-15-13-11-10-9
• 18-16-14-12-10-8
• 18-16-14-13-12-10

Just some patterns based off some math and things I've actually done. -- Eiji-kun 08:19, 25 February 2011 (UTC)

What does it mean by "power level of the game"? --coins

I can answer that. You may have noticed several articles have balance points associated with them; Low, Moderate, High, and Very High. It comes from an acknowledgement that not all games are the same. Some people run gritty and harsh D&D, where every wound is potentially fatal, magic items are rare, and people beating up a troll is something amazing. Others run games where you're basically superheroes, fighting elder evils and punching god in the face. There is also the fact that not all classes in Core D&D are balanced. Monks fall behind much faster than wizard or clerics or druids. You may have heard the term "Linear Fighters, Quadratic Wizards", referring to how their power multiplies. The fighter doubles his strength, but the wizard quadruples it, so you can see how they get outpaced.

Anyway, "High" balance level is one of those balance points. Personally the stereotypical High class for me has always been Warblade. You have a lot of power, and your victory is pretty assured against most things. You got damage in spades, and a little utility, but you won't be changing the entire world to your whim. Ultimately, you're a strong guy with a sword. World-altering effects is the realm of wizards, aka Very High.

My critique is that the High power option doesn't seem High at all. IMHO, an 18 in a score is par for course in High level. What level is it? Moderate probably, I have to re-read the article again (it's been 3 years since I last looked).

By the way you can sign your posts automatically by typing ~~~~ at the end, like this. -- Eiji-kun (talk) 01:20, 17 December 2014 (UTC)

On the other hand, many people feel that to get an 18 in a score you need to make some serious sacrifices, and that most people should have their highest ability score at 16 if they want a more balanced ability score array. For example, even in the "high" point buy (32 points), you can get 16 16 12 14 10 8 which gives you a decent array, or you can decide to go for 18 14 14 12 8 8 where you sacrifice quite a few points in order to achieve that 18. It's give-and-take, but you shouldn't be able to have your cake and eat it too, or favor certain classes that favor only a single score overmuch either. --Ghostwheel (talk) 01:44, 17 December 2014 (UTC)