Character Builder and starting ability scores - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Character Builder and starting ability scores

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
smashbear
Mar 03, 2009 15:49:17 Is there any reason why Strength starts at 8 when you create a new character using the Character Builder when the other ability scores start at 10?
#2
tyren
Mar 03, 2009 16:02:35 Yes, according to the PHB page 17:
"Start with these six scores: 8, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10. You have 22 points to spend on improving them. The cost of raising a score from one number to a higher number is shown on the table below."

It should be noted that if you ADD 2 to STR and SUBTRACT 2 from any other stat, you will still be at 22 points to spend. So the character builder just made STR 8 as a default.
#3
dalzig
Mar 03, 2009 16:02:49 Because they needed a default. If you wish to use a different score as the 8, simply add 2 to STR and subtract 2 from the appropriate stat.
#4
smashbear
Mar 03, 2009 17:00:05 Thanks for the replies. But this brings another question, what is the reasoning behind having one ability score starting at 8 for the point buy method? Why not start with all scores at 10 and with 20 points to spend, or something similar. I am sorry if this seems obvious or in the end it doesn't make any difference, but with the Character Builder I just started using the point buy method for my players and would like to understand the reasoning behind it.
#5
tyren
Mar 03, 2009 17:05:57 The point is that you can only have 1 stat below 10 now. Try it, in the character builder... and you'll see that your points goes to n/a.

So they start one stat at 8, the lowest you can have any 1 stat, then allow you to buy up to 10 if you want... Basically it gives you 2 extra points to move around if you wanted to boost another stat.

If they locked it to 10 each and only gave you 20 pts, you wouldn't be able to build with as much variety.
#6
wotc_dm
Mar 04, 2009 21:24:53
Because they needed a default. If you wish to use a different score as the 8, simply add 2 to STR and subtract 2 from the appropriate stat.

As a side note, you can also drag and drop the 8 to any other stat before you start spending points.
#7
mdonais
Mar 05, 2009 4:12:33 The idea here is that if you want to have a character that is weak in one area for roleplaying reasons you can do that.

For example you could make slow dwarf with 8 dexterity, or a rude orc with 8 charisma.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 smashbear Mar 03, 2009 15:49:17	Is there any reason why Strength starts at 8 when you create a new character using the Character Builder when the other ability scores start at 10?
#2 tyren Mar 03, 2009 16:02:35	Yes, according to the PHB page 17: "Start with these six scores: 8, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10. You have 22 points to spend on improving them. The cost of raising a score from one number to a higher number is shown on the table below." It should be noted that if you ADD 2 to STR and SUBTRACT 2 from any other stat, you will still be at 22 points to spend. So the character builder just made STR 8 as a default.
#3 dalzig Mar 03, 2009 16:02:49	Because they needed a default. If you wish to use a different score as the 8, simply add 2 to STR and subtract 2 from the appropriate stat.
#4 smashbear Mar 03, 2009 17:00:05	Thanks for the replies. But this brings another question, what is the reasoning behind having one ability score starting at 8 for the point buy method? Why not start with all scores at 10 and with 20 points to spend, or something similar. I am sorry if this seems obvious or in the end it doesn't make any difference, but with the Character Builder I just started using the point buy method for my players and would like to understand the reasoning behind it.
#5 tyren Mar 03, 2009 17:05:57	The point is that you can only have 1 stat below 10 now. Try it, in the character builder... and you'll see that your points goes to n/a. So they start one stat at 8, the lowest you can have any 1 stat, then allow you to buy up to 10 if you want... Basically it gives you 2 extra points to move around if you wanted to boost another stat. If they locked it to 10 each and only gave you 20 pts, you wouldn't be able to build with as much variety.
#6 wotc_dm Mar 04, 2009 21:24:53	Because they needed a default. If you wish to use a different score as the 8, simply add 2 to STR and subtract 2 from the appropriate stat. As a side note, you can also drag and drop the 8 to any other stat before you start spending points.
#7 mdonais Mar 05, 2009 4:12:33	The idea here is that if you want to have a character that is weak in one area for roleplaying reasons you can do that. For example you could make slow dwarf with 8 dexterity, or a rude orc with 8 charisma.