A little fun with a basic "Strength" experiment. (Vanilla Game)

[Wai]

This experiment is easily repeatable by any interested player who wants a better idea of how much or, indeed, how little Strength affects combat. (The experiment requires use of the console so some console ID codes (marked as spoilers) are included below.)

In order to have complete uniformity of character for each stage and no random events from fighting back, magic, etc., I created a character (any will do) and played it only as far as the first fight in the first dungeon. (a matter of a couple of minutes at most; don't get involved).

Wait until the Emperor and his retinue leave you alone in the chamber, but, before the rats arrive:-

Using the console obtain 4 Transcendent Sigil stones for Chameleon (ID: 42094)

Enchant your shirt, pants, shoes and wrist irons using the stones and put everything back on. (totally Invisible)

Use the console placeatme command to summon a Minotaur Lord (ID 1E648)

Wait, out of it's way, for it to kill the rats then Save. The poor Minotaur Lord is helpless against you and you are more or less safe because you are invisible. (You could take a random hit if you corner it or a rat enters the chamber.)

1 - Punch the Minotaur until dead (your fatigue is poor because your strength is low, so you will need to wait to regenerate it several times). Take a note of how many hits it took. In my case strength was 30 and fatigue 140. It took 14 levels of Hand to Hand combat. (level 5 to level 19)

2 - Reload your save and increase your strength to 100 using the console (modpca command), Your fatigue is now much higher (240 in my case) so you will wait less. Punch until the Minotaur is dead. It took me 12 levels of Hand to Hand combat. (level 5 to level 17)

3 - Reload your save, pick up Renault's Katana and use the console to get some repair hammers (ID. C). Using the Katana (and repairing two or three times), hit the Minotaur until dead. It took 13 levels of Blade to kill. (level 5 to level 18)

4 - Reload your save, increase your Strength to 100 using the console. Pick up Renault's Katana and use the console to get some repair hammers. Using the Katana (and repairing two or three times), hit the Minotaur until dead. It took only 9 levels of Blade to kill. (level 5 to level 14)

I did not test the following thoroughly, but increasing Speed and Agility as well as Strength together appeared to give a very, very modest additional decrease in required hits.

(My personal conclusion, increasing Strength, though not vital, will give some measurable improvement to combat. Better weapons will also give even more measurable improvement to combat. In addition, the improvement to Fatigue, which is improved by increasing strength, is important as you cannot fight when fatigue is drained, and your hit effectiveness is reduced as your fatigue reduces. I rather like being able to carry more loot too. Increasing Strength is, to some extent, worthwhile, but, not essential. I would not mini-max for it, but I would try to improve it "naturally" by minor adjustments while playing such as popping into a dungeon and using my least used combat skill just to get a little more fighting practice before levelling.)

Enjoy if you like this sort of thing, or please ignore if you don't. (This is not a question about mini maxing for strength - is it worth it? It is a way for interested players to find out for themselves if it is worth it to them.