Post/Author/DateTime	Post
tantric 07-14-07, 10:57 AM	title says it all. thanks
Otogi 07-14-07, 11:23 AM	Such as...? Do you, like the elf? Or perhaps the dwarf? Simple, it's all physical and psychological. An elf is affected physically because the standard elf is built with a weak bone structure, lower white blood cell count and smaller, slowly functioning organs (particularly, the heart, lungs and stomach). However, I would say that they have longer muscles, better hand-eye coordination, lighter bones and more fluid moving joints. By contrast, the dwarves have just the opposite of elves, considering their builds are able to contain and manage stronger organs. This, however, fuels a certain racial superiority. This could lead to one thinking that they're looks are fine without much need to fix up or change. It also leads to a certain racial apathy, causing their ability to read people to be rather off set. Finally, because they don't believe in themselves as individuals, but as a people, they don't have very keen sense of self, and in affect, a sense of will. In short, logic is a pretty unnecessary in D&D. Or, something else. Stuff.
obrysii 07-14-07, 11:26 AM	+2/-2 vs. +1/-1 is simply because it's a large enough number to have a game effect while not catering to power gamers.
Peregrine_Wolf 07-14-07, 11:30 AM	Allow me to clarify the first comment..... Most races have a +2/-2 on abilities to show that they are different than humans, which I see as the basis of most other races. An Elf is more dextrous and mobile than a Human, but not as enduring or able to withstand things such as attacks as well. Dwarfs on the other hand, are tougher than Humans, so they get +2 Constitution. But, they lack the social skills most races have because they view themselves as part of a whole, not an individual, hence the -2 Charisma. If you look at all the races and compare them to Humans, then it usually is common sense that if one race can do one thing better, then they have to have some flaw that helps keep the equilibrium.] Anyways, I hope this helped you understand why races in DnD have those +2/-2's.
tantric 07-14-07, 11:37 AM	actually, what is wrong with +1/-1?
AMGriffin 07-14-07, 11:44 AM	The problem with +1/-1 is that +/- 1 doesn't always effect ability modifiers, +2 ALWAYS alters the modifier of an ability score. Some people use +1/-1 in homebrew, I personally don't but you could if you wanted to.
Otogi 07-14-07, 11:48 AM	Allow me to clarify the first comment..... Most races have a +2/-2 on abilities to show that they are different than humans, which I see as the basis of most other races. An Elf is more dextrous and mobile than a Human, but not as enduring or able to withstand things such as attacks as well. Dwarfs on the other hand, are tougher than Humans, so they get +2 Constitution. But, they lack the social skills most races have because they view themselves as part of a whole, not an individual, hence the -2 Charisma. If you look at all the races and compare them to Humans, then it usually is common sense that if one race can do one thing better, then they have to have some flaw that helps keep the equilibrium.] Anyways, I hope this helped you understand why races in DnD have those +2/-2's. Thanks, I really should have put that in. You have a pretty sharp eye. You wanna form a team?
Majick 07-14-07, 01:32 PM	Thanks, I really should have put that in. You have a pretty sharp eye. You wanna form a team? ...strike force team D&D? :confused: oh god no! :eek:
Jaxgaret 07-14-07, 05:43 PM	actually, what is wrong with +1/-1? If you are playing in a game that doesn't use the point buy character creation system, and you assign your attributes cleverly, a +1/-1 to two ability scores effectively becomes a +2/+0. Obviously +2/+0 is not balanced to +0/+0, which is the Human benchmark.
Salla 07-14-07, 07:03 PM	If you are playing in a game that doesn't use the point buy character creation system, and you assign your attributes cleverly, a +1/-1 to two ability scores effectively becomes a +2/+0. Obviously +2/+0 is not balanced to +0/+0, which is the Human benchmark. Tangentially, this is why all the stat-boost items (Gauntlets of Ogre Power, Gloves of Dexterity, etc) only exist in even-numbered bonuses; so it's guaranteed to make a difference on the character who wears them.
Luminosity 07-14-07, 09:01 PM	If you are playing in a game that doesn't use the point buy character creation system, and you assign your attributes cleverly, a +1/-1 to two ability scores effectively becomes a +2/+0. Obviously +2/+0 is not balanced to +0/+0, which is the Human benchmark. Which makes Age modifiers rather confusing.
Jaxgaret 07-15-07, 03:28 AM	Which makes Age modifiers rather confusing. I agree. They should also use only even modifiers, but it would be crippling to most PCs to have Venerable characters have a total aging effect of -12 to physical stats (-2 + -4 + -6). Perhaps getting rid of an age category would work better; cut out Middle-Aged (or Old) so there are just three age categories; Adulthood (+0/-0), Late Adulthood (+2/-2), and Venerable (+4/-6). A Venerable character would receive the same -6 to all physicals as the current system, but +4 to all mentals. Close enough to the current +3. SRD: Age (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/description.htm#age)