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Do I have to use all the points?
For example, if I take 17, 17, 14, 7, 7, 7, for my attributes, I'm left with 1pt I can't spend. I'm not looking the carry that point over to something, but am I allowed to not use all the points? This, for me, is directed at PFS, but I think this is a more general rules question.
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My understanding is that is an illegal point buy, you have to spend all of your points. However, that is also a rather bad idea, as you have 2 different high odd stats. You could take one of the 17s to an 18 and leave one at a 16, and that would be your 20 points. Assuming you were doing that with the idea of raising those with your 4th and 8th level adjustments, this is actually better for you, as instead of going through levels 1-3 with two +3s, then levels 4-7 with one +4 and one +3, and then finally having two +4s, you can go all the way through levels 1-7 with a +4 and a +3, then have both your +4s assuming you are using your level boost in that.
On the one hand, there's the line
After all the points are spent, apply any racial modifiers the character might have.
OTOH, that reads to me like an offhand way to say "when you're done spending points." So I'm going to say RAW yes, RAI no.
Yes you need to spend all the points. else you're not a 20pt build, you're a 19 pt build.
Owner - D20 Hobbies
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On the one hand, there's the line
After all the points are spent, apply any racial modifiers the character might have.OTOH, that reads to me like an offhand way to say "when you're done spending points." So I'm going to say RAW yes, RAI no.
19 of 20 isn't "all".
RAW you can't leave a point and RAI you can't leave a point.
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If you make a build with three dumps stats at 7, you will be costing prestige for everyone at your table at one point or another. Either it's going to be god awful saves, no skills, no ability to contribute to social situations, or various frailties if you dump physical attributes. You absolutely do not need to start with anything above a 16 pre racial bonus, and you need to be able to contribute in other areas outside of combat.
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Dump str, and shadows will kill you. Dump cha, and a tooth fairy or certain magical plagues will kill you. Drop int, and you won't even be able to aid another or make necessary skill roles in certain scenarios that aren't combat related and every character in the party must roll. Dumping one stat is sometimes necessary. My dwarf monk has a cha of 5. But I got very lucky in a certain keep when I got out with only 4 cha damage.
How many shadows do you fight? I've seen maybe 1 in over 100 PFS games.
How many tooth fairy or certain magical plagues do you come across?
No int, no problem. rolling untrained isn't bad for aids. And there's often a skill guy to handle the skills.
Like sure, perhaps warn people they need to be cautious if they fight a shadow or a tooth fairy or whatever cause their stat is low. But I don't think that the potential chance of 1 needing to fight it and 2 not being able to be safe enough to not die is a strong enough argument against dumping unneeded stats.
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If you make a build with three dumps stats at 7, you will be costing prestige for everyone at your table at one point or another.
Nah, really doesn't. Depends on the class, race, and the stats dumped, but you can certainly make a strong build with 3 dump stats.
As for costing prestige for the party, that's up to roleplaying more than anything. How you use your character definitely matters more that the stats of your character, especially with regards to scenario objectives. If you suck at diplomacy, you can still contribute by shutting up and letting the PCs with good diplomacy do their thing. If you suck at combat, you can still contribute just by not dying and providing bonuses (like assists and flanks) to those that are actually good at combat. And so on.
And having 3 dump stats is about having 3 really strong stats, not about having 3 impairments.
Anyway, sounds like my question was answered regarding the point buy. Thanks to those that contributed.