SRD Talk:Ability Scores

Wrong link?

I think the link to SRD:Special Abilities under Nonabilities is kind of inappropriate, it doesn't explain what nonabilities mean at all. I think it should just tell the reader to look at a specific ability's page to know more about the effects of nonabilities (for example, reading the SRD:Intelligence page teaches us that a creature with no intelligence score is mindless. —bOb666777 (talk) 11:24, 21 June 2012 (MDT)

Got it. Thanks! —Sledged (talk) 13:28, 21 June 2012 (MDT)

You're welcome! But um, is there a way I can acquire the rights to edit the SRD pages? As an inexperienced player, I consult even the most basic pages very often, and that makes it easy for me to notice small mistakes like this one (this is the third or fourth error I report in just one day). Not to mention that as a regular user of SRD pages, it'd be to my advantage to optimize them, heh. —bOb666777 (talk) 15:13, 21 June 2012 (MDT)

We can't unlock them, but you could always submit to be an Admin. Alternatively, you can find a willing Admin (*cough cough*) and post on his talk page when you find errors. I know from experience how frustrating the errors can be (the MSRD is a milllion times worse because I think I'm the only one who's ever read the thing), but on the other hand how nice it can be to just fix it right there. JazzMan 16:22, 21 June 2012 (MDT)

Introductory information

I haven't played D&D, I'm just trying to learn a little about the game.

First, how are ability scores determined at character creation? Second, how do they increase with level?

There are a number of rules to determine starter scores and it is ultimately up to the DM which one is used. A common way is to throw 3d6 for each score and add racial modifiers to the outcome, though most people find that an arbitrary rule. I also prefer point systems, myself. I'm not sure if those are published under the OGL, so I'd rather not elaborate; I'm certain you'll find one that suits you, if you look around. To answer your second question, you get a point to spend every 4 levels. Dozen (talk) 11:35, 6 October 2012 (MDT)

Changing Scores

I have a rather radical idea to suggest. What if the ability modifier is changed from (score - 10) divided by 2, to instead being score - 10? This may seem pretty extreme, but I think that some of you might decide to use it nonetheless. Here is my reason for suggesting this.

Those of you who have read Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time will have been repeatedly reminded by the book how strong Perrin is. In the Wheel of Time role-playing book, approved by Robert Jordan, Perrin is given a strength score of 16. At first glance, this looks tolerable. Perrin is surpassingly strong, but not superhuman. Until one remembers that a strength score of 16 grants a bonus of only 3 to strength checks. A 3-point bonus, a d-20 scale. Perrin only gets a bonus of 15% to his chances of accomplishing something through strength. And Rand al'Thor, who wielded a bow that no one else in a mighty fortress (except Perrin and Lan) could draw, is given a strength of 14.

Under the official system, Rand and Perrin only receive a bonus of 2 and 3, respectively, to strength checks. In the system that I suggest, their strength bonuses increase to 4 and 6.

This may seem like it will throw the whole system out of whack. I recommend that your characters keep their current ability modifiers, and change their ability scores to match.

A mighty strength of 18 will gain a sudden new respect in your world. Please share your opinions. Sir Dinadan

With the new Dex modifier, no-one would wear anything but light armor, so you would also have to readjust all the heavy armour ACs too. That's one example of probably dozens of recalculations you would have to do. There will also suddenly be a huge disparity between the hit points of low-Con characters (which will plummet) and the damage of high-Str creatures. Wouldn't it just be easier to adjust the ability scores of those characters you mentioned? Marasmusine (talk) 13:02, 14 March 2013 (MDT)

I suppose that would be simpler than turning what is practically the core of the entire system on its proverbial head. However, if your group is into experimentation, it could be worth a try. Thanks for the input. Sir Dinadan 3/16/2013