not that familiar with 5E, how to handle ASI on full release

[BeautifulFlowerField]

When is it advised to take off-main stats in 5E? I have some awareness that CON and DEX are considered important for casters. Other than initiative, AC, and holding concentration, what benefit do I get from taking improvements in CON or DEX? Ranged spell attacks use the spellcasting stat for the attack roll right? Is the thinking just about having only even numbers for base stats in the end?

[Popsicles]

Dex will aid your ranged weapon attacks and all dex skills (acrobatics, stealth...)

Dex is used for light and finesse weapon attacks as well.

Dex score is used for tie breakers during initiative.

Con improves hit points per level.

Dex and con improvements will help dex and con saves.

Yes, an odd stat will not provide any benefit other than strength and jumping. An odd stat can be cool if you plan to take a feat that provide a +1 boost. For instance, my drow wizard I created (for a TT game) has a INT of 17 at level one using point buy. I plan on using a INT feat that will add +1 next at level four instead of the ASI boost.

Yes your spell casting stat is used for ranged and touch spell attacks. INT for wizards, CHA for Sorc and Pally, bard, lock. Wisdom for Cleric.

You can't really ever go wrong with boosting Con and Dex. Personally, I like adding points to Charisma since I want my character to interact with npcs and have a good CHA bonus.

The most common 'dump' stats are INT and STR depending on class.

You can read all the basic rules for free - check out the chapter on spellcasting:

https://media.wizards.com/2018/dnd/downloads/DnD_BasicRules_2018.pdf

[BeautifulFlowerField]

Originally posted by Balltin:

Dex will aid your ranged weapon attacks and all dex skills (acrobatics, Stealth...)

Dex is used for light and finesse weapon attacks as well.

Con improves hit points per level.

Dex and con improvements will help dex and con saves.

Yes, and odd stat will not provide any benefit other than strength and jumping. An odd stat can be cool if you plan to take a feat that provide a +1 boost.

Yes your spell casting stat is used for ranged and touch spell attacks. INT for wizards, CHA for Sorc and Pally, bard, lock. Wisdom for Cleric.

You can't really ever go wrong with boosting Con and Dex. Personally, I like adding points to Charisma since I want my character to interact with npcs and have a good CHA bonus.

The most common 'dump' stats are INT and STR depending on class.

You can read all the basic rules for free - check out the chapter on spellcasting:

https://media.wizards.com/2018/dnd/downloads/DnD_BasicRules_2018.pdf

Do magic items usually work by just changing the base stat as a flat number like the headband of intellect? Meaning I shouldn't expect to find a +1 or +2 to ability score type of item?

[Popsicles]

Originally posted by BeautifulFlowerField:

Do magic items usually work by just changing the base stat as a flat number like the headband of intellect? Meaning I shouldn't expect to find a +1 or +2 to ability score type of item?

HB of Intellect is a straight boost to 19 I believe. I've not seen any items that boost +1 or +2 in Act 1 yet. There could be one out there I'm not 100%.

Table Top 5e does have magic items that boost ASI - Manual of gainful exercise— Manual of quickness of action— Manual of bodily health— Tome of clear thought— Tome of understanding— Tome of leadership and influence.

Whether those appear in the BG3 is TBD.

[Popsicles]

I don't typically play min/max style. There are probably some other posters that can give you some tips. It's early. They'll be up soon. :)

[Kuro]

Originally posted by Balltin:

Originally posted by BeautifulFlowerField:

Do magic items usually work by just changing the base stat as a flat number like the headband of intellect? Meaning I shouldn't expect to find a +1 or +2 to ability score type of item?

HB of Intellect is a straight boost to 19 I believe. I've not seen any items that boost +1 or +2 in Act 1 yet. There could be one out there I'm not 100%.

Table Top 5e does have magic items that boost ASI - Manual of gainful exercise— Manual of quickness of action— Manual of bodily health— Tome of clear thought— Tome of understanding— Tome of leadership and influence.

Whether those appear in the BG3 is TBD.

There is already two Items that boost stat (not equiped).
The Hag hair let you choose one +1 stat. And the Volo eye give you +1 charisma and make you loose - 1 Int .

[sevensided]

Originally posted by BeautifulFlowerField:

When is it advised to take off-main stats in 5E? I have some awareness that CON and DEX are considered important for casters. Other than initiative, AC, and holding concentration, what benefit do I get from taking improvements in CON or DEX? Ranged spell attacks use the spellcasting stat for the attack roll right?

Generally, you do not want to worry about using your ASI's on anything other than your main stat or a feat, until your main stat is maxed.

There are exceptions to this rule, particularly classes that effectively utilize two stats as main stats (I'm looking at you Bladesingers - but they aren't in BG3), or Barbarians, whose purpose of being mean you kind of want to raise Strength and Constitution, because Con adds to AC and health for them and they're meant to be in harm's way (caveat of the caveat-if you decide to just wear medium armor, then just focus strength).

As a spellcaster, improving your main stat (or taking certain feats) will net you more than raising dex or con. Being able to more reliably hit with your spells, or make your save or suck spells land more reliably (and allow for more prepared spells in some cases), will be better than the boons dex or con will net you.

Is the thinking just about having only even numbers for base stats in the end?

Depends on your stat generation system, and what half feats (feats that provide an ability AND a +1 to a stat) make it into the final game. For point buy, yes, you generally want even numbers.

[WeenerTuck813]

Originally posted by Balltin:

Originally posted by BeautifulFlowerField:

Do magic items usually work by just changing the base stat as a flat number like the headband of intellect? Meaning I shouldn't expect to find a +1 or +2 to ability score type of item?

HB of Intellect is a straight boost to 19 I believe. I've not seen any items that boost +1 or +2 in Act 1 yet. There could be one out there I'm not 100%.

Table Top 5e does have magic items that boost ASI - Manual of gainful exercise— Manual of quickness of action— Manual of bodily health— Tome of clear thought— Tome of understanding— Tome of leadership and influence.

Whether those appear in the BG3 is TBD.

HB of int boosts to 17 last I checked in game.

Hag hair and Volo Eye are the 2 items for stats.


OP; boost your main stat and get fun feats. This game won’t take you to a high enough level to worry about anything after that

[Pan Darius Cassandra]

Constitution also improves your concentration checks.