Am I the only one bothered by the idea that it's somehow "necessary" or good building practice to minmax characters into moronic creeps who can lift small trucks over their heads? Or geniuses with a crippling lack of awareness? Or near autistic savants?
Let me 'splain. I've read Treantmonk's guides; they're (in my opinion) mechanically sound. I've seen suggestions on how to build on the boards that are similar. One thing that Treantmonk's guides (and I'm not picking on Treantmonk; I see this stuff ALL OVER THE PLACE- it's just that Treantmonk's guides are gathered in one place so for demo purposes they are easy to reference)is one or two severely low stats. Wizards with superhuman intellects and wisdom slightly above that of a sloth, with psoriasis. Or functionally retarded fighters who punch holes in walls. Or physically crippled weaklings who radiate the most amazing charisma, but don't know how to tie their shoes.
Why should a Fighter sell Int down to 7? Why must this person be a step below Forrest Gump? I realize that with point buy you may want the extra points, but I see it so often taken for granted that if you don't sell down your "Dump Stats" for extra points, you're just a sucker who can't do math.
I understand the need to contribute to the party, to do what your character needs to do and do it well. I imagine, however, that a whole bunch of the people who create these lopsided heroes would be all kinds of offended if you pointed out that they play their Fighter as being smarter than he is, or if you made sure that nobody liked the creepy Wizard who had bad skin and mumbled to himself a lot. I have been in a party with a Archer Fighter who sold his Int and Cha down to 7, but certainly seemed quite tactically brilliant and knowledgeable about things that he would have no reason to be informed about. He got all angry when this was pointed out to him. He understood, eventually, and adjusted, at least. But really? If we assume that each 1 point swing is a standard deviation, then a 7 Int is bone deep impaired, and bordering (if not solidly in) the region of truly quantifiable intellectual disability. This guy maintains his own equipment? Manages his own money? Has the mental capacity to deal with the myriad of situation that come up when adventuring? Maybe. But it's kinda suspect. Ditto with various and sundry other scores.
Look, I don't mean to offend or attack anyone. I know that low scores can help define a character, and make for great roleplaying. But these cookie-cutter builds are populating the world with dull, lumbering oxen, barely communicative savants, and various and sundry adventurers who suffer from what should be, realistically, crippling problems. If that's the character you want to play, fine, more power to you. I just wondered if anyone else looked at it the way I do. No offense intended, please keep it civil, and have fun.