Stat dump or...?

[Satyr]

So when it comes to allocating ability points, do you stat dump to be nearly unbeatable in certain checks or do you prefer to be at least average in everything but with some varying strengths?

I am currently thinking about going:
10 Str
16 Dex
14 Con
10 Int
14 Wis
12 Char

For my build, I could technically dump strength and Int, but deep in my mind, I don't want my character to be an idiot. lol

[Ronin Gamer]

I personally don't stat dump as each stat has a use. I like to make my character at least able to do everything at a base level if needed so I will try to leave things at at least 10 if I can.
Dumping is usually just bottoming out the stat, in this case I think 8 for the -1 modifier, not a fan of that personally.

[RakiaTime]

i do minimum 12 in everything

[Ronny]

it really depends on the character and class i am playing, and what RP i am doing on my character... in my of my earlier IRL DnD campaigns i played a Half Orc Barbarian... so i felt it kinda suited my character/backstory/class to have very low INT... so i dumped INT to 8. (not only to boost STR and CON, but also for Fun RP moments with my friends)... so if i am to play a character like that in BG3 i guess i would do the same.

but i usually try to have my least crucial attributes at 10 (average in the world).. so if i play a Wizard i could have STR and maybe CON at 10... and bump INT and something else.

as i said earlier... it very much depends on the type of character you build, but both ways are fun to play around with.

[ERR0R314]

I tend to 'stat dump' just to spice up a character at time, or if it makes sense for the character, like a starved street urchin turned cleric that worships the god of luck/fortune I might dump strength and use the stats for other stuff, but dumping can feel really bad in situations like if you end up in a series of athletics/strength checks to escape a crumbling building.

[BigAlzBub]

When people talk about stat dumping they are being extremely hyperbolic. If as a fighter (for instance) you put your Int at 8, you will be 1 place worse off at a few knowledge checks (which is why you bring smarty pants wizards or Knowledge clerics with you), and 1 place worse off at the tiny number of effects which have an intelligence saving throw.
If you look on D&D Beyond you will see that there are 9 WHOLE spells which have an Int save and only 2 of them are in the core rules, so the other 7 probably aren't even in the game. Yes it would help (slightly) with Mindflayer Mind blast, but it just means that you will need to roll a 16 rather than a 15 to save, so mostly you will fail either way.
Same applies if you dump dexterity on say a cleric, if you do it, you will lose initiative more often than not, but you will put on heavy armour and not notice the difference. When someone fireballs you, well, with a 10 stat you are probably going to fail that save too. By dumping a stat, you can be better at the things you need to be good at, will it bite you in the ass from time to time, obviously, but not so often that you need to get your panties in a twist. It isn't going to be like the Original Fallout game (Fallout 1) where if you have the lowest level of Intellect they replace all your dialogue options with incoherent mumblings (which is entirely hilarious BTW).

[BigJ]

Wish Larian let me dump all my stats to play as the true bad at everything bard.

[IRMcG]

Haven't made any builds for this game with less than 10 stat for anything because you're not guaranteed to have your "face" character make convo checks all the time and passive checks can be important. Tend to go 16/16 for primary and secondary stat, often 15/15 with the intent to bump them up via levelling if I need a couple more points free initially.

[Gaius]

I only stat dump if I have something that makes sense in my mind, I.E. a CHA 8 true neutral fighter or barbarian that never solves anything by TALKING, or a high CHA + low WIS impulsive sorcerer or bard.

Having said that, in mechanical terms it's really not that hard on your character. Lowering stuff to 8 just means a -1 to rolls, or a 5% penalty, and having main stats at 20 is really, really good...

[Paladin Larec]

If I make a melee character I make INTand CHA the dump stats. My barbarian playthrough in BG3 had my barb at 8 INT so I could get CON at 16 and STR at 17 and still have a DEX of 14 for the 2 point bonus with medium armor. I just made sure to stick to skill proficiency where they used WIS instead.

[Edstyles]

Bard can potentially be good at many skills. Might be the only class where i wouldnt dump intellect maybe ranger too. Tho its impossible to min max without. Ill have to see what i do

[Taritu]

I notice a lot of reccomended builds put str at 8. I'm not familiar with 5ed (3.5 is the last I played). Does it matter for combat if you use dex weapons?

[2LambBuna]

high dex build can usually dump str and use a finesse melee weapon. this even includes dex based fighters (but will mean heavy armour is out of the question). int can often be dumped too. Con is always important for all classes, dex usually is too unless you can wear heavy armour. wis and cha are generally fairly important too. int can be dumped unless your a mage, fighter, warlock or rogue. generally speaking str and int are the least important stats unless you are like a barbarian or wizard

[IRMcG]

Originally posted by Taritu:

I notice a lot of reccomended builds put str at 8. I'm not familiar with 5ed (3.5 is the last I played). Does it matter for combat if you use dex weapons?

Only for carry weight and jump distance really.

[Hayes]

Doing a dumpstat can be great fun for roleplay.. i always dump str on my sorceress and if i dont get any rolls below 9 i generally just fudge it and give myself an 8 instead so i have some fun with a pretty weak character str wise anyway :D

[IRMcG]

Originally posted by 2LambBuna:

Originally posted by Edstiles:

Bard can potentially be good at many skills. Might be the only class where i wouldnt dump intellect maybe ranger too. Tho its impossible to min max without. Ill have to see what i do

rangers dont want int. they need 3 stats, con, wis and either str or dex and cha is more important than int. int is fairly good for skill heavy classes like bard and rogue though

They do get several INT based skills though, don't want to make your Ranger too dumb :)