Multiple Attribute Dependency vs. SAD (Single Attribute Dependency). For example, a wizard is SAD because he really only needs Int, but a paladin or monk is MAD because he needs more than one good ability score to be effective.
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Multiple Attribute Dependency
It mean your class is designed to work best with many high attributes suchs as Paladins who need STR and CHA, or Monks who need STR, DEX, CON, and WIS.
Contrast with SAD or Single Attribute Dependency
Classes that only require one good attribute to be effective, mostly primary spell casters.
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MAD: Multiple Ability Dependency. It is related to classes that need high scores on several attributes in order to be effective (Monk, for example, need a good mix of CON, WIS and STR/DEX to survive at melee). It's opposed to SAD (Single Ability Dependency), in which you only need one high attribute to be effective (like the Wizard, you only need to boost your INT).
MAD = Multi ability score dependent (such as the monk).
as opposed to
SAD = Single ability score dependent (such as the wizard).
Most martials need to focus on multiple stats - strength and/or dex and constitution. Many classes add on another stat as well for special abilities (charisma for paladins, wisdom for monks and rangers).
Many casters in contrast can focus exclusively on one stat and be fine.
MAD is usually one of the weaknesses of most melee classes. A decent Melee must have Str, Dex and Con to function well, in most circumstances. If they have supplemental abilities, they may additionally require a supporting mental stat (Cha for Paladins, Wis for Rangers, Int for Magus, etc).
Contrast with Spellcasters, who can generally arrange their spell list so the only thing they need is their casting stat, and perhaps Con for more hit points.
As an aspect of point buy, SAD classes find it much easier to get a higher main stat, because they don't have to spread out their point buy (i.e a wizard can easily dump Str and Cha, 0 point Wis and perhaps even Dex, and put his points all into Int and Con).
Contrast with a fighter, who needs Str/Dex/Con just to be a fighter, Wis for his crappy will save, and Int for his anemic skill points.
==Aelryinth
MAD is usually one of the weaknesses of most melee classes. A decent Melee must have Str, Dex and Con to function well, in most circumstances. If they have supplemental abilities, they may additionally require a supporting mental stat (Cha for Paladins, Wis for Rangers, Int for Magus, etc).
Contrast with Spellcasters, who can generally arrange their spell list so the only thing they need is their casting stat, and perhaps Con for more hit points.
As an aspect of point buy, SAD classes find it much easier to get a higher main stat, because they don't have to spread out their point buy (i.e a wizard can easily dump Str and Cha, 0 point Wis and perhaps even Dex, and put his points all into Int and Con).
Contrast with a fighter, who needs Str/Dex/Con just to be a fighter, Wis for his crappy will save, and Int for his anemic skill points.
==Aelryinth
Am I the only one who plays casters with higher DEX than CON? I have seen this around a bunch lately.
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Am I the only one who plays casters with higher DEX than CON? I have seen this around a bunch lately.
Con is generally a better investment. Unless you are specifically building for AC, the slightly better AC from Dex isn't meaningful vs monster attack bonuses, so the extra hitpoints keep you alive longer, especially when you couple them with spells like Mirror Image, Blink, and Stoneskin.
Dex is useful for initiative, but a familiar + a feat + a trait will give you +10 so it becomes a minor boost.
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Okay, totally makes sense. I guess I knew that without putting a name to it.
I was originally thinking along the lines of "Mutually Assured Destruction" --> but couldnt make it fit in the Pathfinder world view. That, and SAD I was inferring as "solo assured destruction".
Anyway, thanks for clearing that up.
Fid