Is there a significant difference between 18 and 19 STR?

[TurranMC]

I'm a level 4 Paladin who chose Great Weapon Master. I realize the feat doesn't proc if smite kills an enemy. I also learned that STR, in addition to increasing my damage, also impacts my chance to hit. So I'm thinking of respeccing to change my Feat and give myself more strength instead.

However, in my very basic testing, increasing my STR from 17 to 18 increases my chance to hit by 5% (on my AC 19 party member) and increases my damage by 1. But increasing my STR from 18 to 19 doesn't seem to impact my hit chance or damage at all.

Which leads to the topic question: Is there a difference between 18 and 19 STR on my Paladin? Or can I just go up to 18 and it's essentially the same as going to 19? This would allow me to choose "Heavy Armour Master" feat over the "Ability Improvement" feat for an overall greater improvement.

P.S. ------ My Wizard/Cleric party member will likely be making a similar decision when they level up next turn and can decide if they should go to 18 INT or 19 INT, so if anyone wants to add any thoughts there that'd be cool too.

Thanks for any help!

[Moffin Bovin]

attributes have a modifier. The modifier is what affects to hit and damage. that modifier only goes up on even numbers.

having any attribute on an odd number is a waste unless you plan on increasing it later with a feat.

str might gain some benefit to carry weight but thats about it.

[cl656]

Only even numbers do something.

[mutantspicy]

You can jump 19ft instead of 18ft.

[Sentient_Toaster]

Slightly impacts the maximum weight you can throw.

But otherwise, not all that impactful unless you run into something like a Shadow with its strength-draining abilities.

[TurranMC]

Thanks for the confirmation guys! Cheers!

[Ellis_Cake]

I got all fighting sentients up to 20str, really eases the hit dice rolls.
shadowheart became life cleric and 20 wis instead.

[mutantspicy]

Originally posted by Moffin Bovin:

attributes have a modifier. The modifier is what affects to hit and damage. that modifier only goes up on even numbers.

having any attribute on an odd number is a waste unless you plan on increasing it later with a feat.

str might gain some benefit to carry weight but thats about it.

This is not necessarily always true. when using the character builder having an odd number can be useful at level 4 when choosing a feat. As some of the feats give you +1 to an ability plus whatever skill they give you.

[Moffin Bovin]

Originally posted by mutantspicy:

Originally posted by Moffin Bovin:

attributes have a modifier. The modifier is what affects to hit and damage. that modifier only goes up on even numbers.

having any attribute on an odd number is a waste unless you plan on increasing it later with a feat.

str might gain some benefit to carry weight but thats about it.

This is not necessarily always true. when using the character builder having an odd number can be useful at level 4 when choosing a feat. As some of the feats give you +1 to an ability plus whatever skill they give you.

i literally said that.

[fox]

Originally posted by TurranMC:

Thanks for the confirmation guys! Cheers!

It's telling how you are pretending to understand the math but s'ok

[Blanch Warren]

Originally posted by mutantspicy:

You can jump 19ft instead of 18ft.

Wicked.

[ZandaBear]

Ability Scores have a modifier based on the following equation, (X-10)/2 rounded up. X being the Ability Score. 5e has a hard max of 24 (+7) without optional Epic rules and/or tomes but I don't thinkg BG3 follows these limits.

So...
0 & 1 = -5
...snip...
8 & 9 = -1
10 & 11 = 0
12 & 13 = +1
14 & 15 = +2
16 & 17 = +3
18 & 19 = +4
...and so on...

In 5e there are some things that are determined by your Strength Score instead of modifier. It determines jumping distance (not height!), carrying capacity, Heavy Armor speed penalty, if you can multiclass, and at least one feat (Grappler) has a requirement of having a score of at least 13. Again, not sure what BG3 transferred over.

I believe jump distance (maybe height too) and carrying capacity for sure.

[Scheneighnay]

Originally posted by cl656:

Only even numbers do something.

This.
With 10 str, you have +0
With 11 str, you have +0
With 12 str, you have +1

So I think you should only use even numbers if you can help it. Not sure if debuffs will make odd numbers desirable or not.