Uneven Ability Scores

[Gorilla]

Is there any benefit to having an uneven ability score over an even one?

What do ability scores of 9, 11, 13, etc. offer compared to 8, 10, 12, etc ... if the modifier only changes on even numbers?

[wirednight]

So at level 4 you get +2 ability points (and I assume every 4 levels after that). So if you can either toss both points into the one attribute, or toss 1 point in 1 attribute and and another in another. So those odd attributes, can eventually become even attribute scores. So if you end up with a odd number in your primary attribute, you may want an odd number in another important attribute to give you a place to add that first other attribute point.

What I can't tell you is if in BG3 there will be attribute caps or not in the released game either. So if there ends up being one, then putting all your points in your primary attribute until you hit cap, then spreading the points around may also be a possibility.

[Meabe Get Hyper]

Originally posted by Jimmer:

Yes.

Those are also your primary numbers for determining if your attack succeeds.

Str = Melee Attacks
Dex = Ranged Attacks
Int, Wis or Cha = Spell Attacks

No.

It is 1d20 + modifier + proficiency.
And for dmg it is weapons roll + modifier

So yes uneven stats are dead stats.

[R3sistance]

There is little point to odd ability scores most of the time, there are some things that require odd ability scores, Heavy armour generally requires either 13 or 15 strength. Strength also increases carry limit on odd numbers.

Multiclassing (not in BG3, hopefully coming) requires a 13 in the relevant class primary attribute(s) to multiclass in 5E. So you'd need 13 STR and 13 CHR for a Paladin to be able to multiclass into a Warlock, but for a Paladin to multiclass into a Cleric, you'd need 13 STR, 13 CHA and 13 WIS.

The main point of odd scores is because 5E uses rolled ability scores, Point Buy (current system in BG3) and Standard Array are both optional variant rules. When you do rolled ability scores, you are likely to get a few odd ones which you can then make even later on.

Lastly there is a few feats which increase an ability score by 1 on top of their own effect. Such as Resilient where you choose an ability score and get +1 in the ability score as well as proficiency in the saving throws of that ability, this feat is also not in BG3 yet as far as I am aware.

[NixAhmose]

Originally posted by Gorilla:

Is there any benefit to having an uneven ability score over an even one?

What do ability scores of 9, 11, 13, etc. offer compared to 8, 10, 12, etc ... if the modifier only changes on even numbers?

The only benefit to having an uneven ability score is that it only takes one more ability score increase to increase its modifier value rather than two. So if you wanted to eventually take a feat that gave you a special feature and increased your dex by 1, having an uneven dex score at the start would mean you could get instant use out of that dex improvement.

[Seven of Nine]

Just that much closer to capping. Say you are at 17 Dex at the start. You need two ASIs to cap yourself in Dex (ASI caps at 20). Not so much of a difference since you'd need two ASI to cap a 16 too, but with 17 you will have an extra point to spend elsewhere.

So uneven stat is mostly useful later on in the game. Right now in EA it technically doesn't make much of a difference, since you won't be able to get past lvl 4, your first opportunity at ASI.
Would require me to have run another calculation if having that uneven stat or not actually really saves you that 1 point. Theoretically yes (17 @1st lvl, 19 @4th lvl 20 +1 free AS @ 2nd ASI vs 16 @1st 18 @ lvl 4, 20 +0 free AS @2nd ASI). There is a limit on how much you can put on one stat at lvl 1 though. The question is: is it worth it? I mean, does that +1 free AS actually change any other modifiers? Alternatively pick a feat with +1 on your main stat and some other useful effect on my toon. That might give you a better edge at some fights.

So at worst : with 16 starting AS you are kind of forced to take 2x ASI, with 17 1x ASI +1 x feat that improves that stat and is also beneficial for my character.

[Gorilla]

Thanks for the replies.

If I got it correctly, odd ability scores can be useful as long as you know what's coming for your character in terms of feats and ability score increase points.

I think I remember in the 3.5e sometimes a certain ability score was needed to unlock a feat. If I'm not mistaking, one such example was that you'd need 13 INT to turn your Fighter into a Weapon Master.

Are there still Feats like that in 5e that require a minimum score in a certain ability?

[Long Journey]

Originally posted by Gorilla:

Thanks for the replies.

If I got it correctly, odd ability scores can be useful as long as you know what's coming for your character in terms of feats and ability score increase points.

I think I remember in the 3.5e sometimes a certain ability score was needed to unlock a feat. If I'm not mistaking, one such example was that you'd need 13 INT to turn your Fighter into a Weapon Master.

Are there still Feats like that in 5e that require a minimum score in a certain ability?

There aren't any feats like that in 5e. There are feats that are, however, locked behind race choice (Dragon Hide, Dwarven Fortitude, etc.) and feats that still cater to/persuade people into certain play styles (Polearm Master, Charger, etc.).

That said, there are items that require a certain stat to be of x value in order to use them. For example, you need to have a Strength stat of 15 in order to wear heavy armor like Plate or Splint armor.

[Decker]

Originally posted by Gorilla:

Thanks for the replies.

If I got it correctly, odd ability scores can be useful as long as you know what's coming for your character in terms of feats and ability score increase points.

I think I remember in the 3.5e sometimes a certain ability score was needed to unlock a feat. If I'm not mistaking, one such example was that you'd need 13 INT to turn your Fighter into a Weapon Master.

Are there still Feats like that in 5e that require a minimum score in a certain ability?

I think it's doubly useless in 5e since as far as I know there aren't any +X attribute items.

[JODEGAFUN]

Originally posted by Meabe Get Hyper:

Originally posted by Jimmer:

Yes.

Those are also your primary numbers for determining if your attack succeeds.

Str = Melee Attacks
Dex = Ranged Attacks
Int, Wis or Cha = Spell Attacks

No.

It is 1d20 + modifier + proficiency.
And for dmg it is weapons roll + modifier

So yes uneven stats are dead stats.

Unless you have a+1 stat item ore can only max it at for example 17 and increase it to 18 at lv 4. Otherwise if they stay uneven they are dead (exept maybe str.15 for havy armor and carry capasity, but that is a minor use)

[Hobocop]

A 13 in one or two ability scores (depending on class) is also the minimum needed to multiclass, so there's that as well.

[Something completely different]

Originally posted by Gorilla:

Is there any benefit to having an uneven ability score over an even one?

What do ability scores of 9, 11, 13, etc. offer compared to 8, 10, 12, etc ... if the modifier only changes on even numbers?

The only advantage I see is that they can be raised to the next odd number by certain feats that give a minor benefit and +1 to a related stat. Otherwise your 16 is as good as a 17.