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After pondering about it for a good while, I'm strongly in favour of the following system for increasing ability scores:
4th level: +1 to any stat
8th level: +1 to ALL stats
12th level: 1 to any stat
16th level: +1 to ALL stats
20th level: +1 to any stat
First of all, I think it would be more "realistic" in the sense that even the thickest fighter or barbarian may "evolve" and learn new tricks during his career -- it would be sort of natural to expect that his INT, CHA and WIS might rise. And even the clumsiest or skinniest wizard might get "tougher" and overcome his clumsiness somewhat, as he gets +2 to his DEX and CON by the 16th level.
Secondly, it would make "odd" stats feel better in the point-buy system, and, it would also make meeting PrC or Feat prerequisites (such as INT 13 for certain Combat Feats) easier.
Thoughts?
Huh.
Let's think about this.
You're right about the odd-numbered stats.
This also breaks the campaign into chunks that sort of remind me of the 4e tiers. I'm not so sure that's a good thing, but some campaign landmarks that remind the GM to change things up are a good thing.
I'd like to see more discussion/refinement of this idea.
EDIT:
I really like this idea. And for the record, I don't even have a player character in Pathfinder, so it isn't just the power boost I'm after. I'm a GM, and I think I will be using this in my game. It punctuates what I feel to be the natural phases of the game (1-7, 8-15, 16-20) very nicely. It also rotates the obvious choice for a stat bump, so some of those 11s and 13s might get some love. Great idea!
I like the idea- (i guess most players would -lol-) I'm just curious whether +2 to all stats is really needed. They already give us more bang for the buck with the point buy system tweak. Do players need *more* ability bumps?
I mean, this would be +20 HP, +1 to all saves +1 to all skills, +1 to AC
and for some classes +1 to attack/dam.
Granted +1 attack/dam isn't a big thing really but again- do we really need each and every character to get yet another boost?
-S
Granted +1 attack/dam isn't a big thing really but again- do we really need each and every character to get yet another boost?
No, we don't. And this is a legitimate concern of mine.
It's not the extra power that makes me like this rule, it is how it addresses other problems I have.
A character who had an 11 Int hits 8th level and suddenly has another skill point. He would NEVER have considered raising his Int when he could have a 20 in one of his better stats.
A ranger with Wis 10 hits 8th level and guess what, he has SPELLS now.
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I like the idea- (i guess most players would -lol-) I'm just curious whether +2 to all stats is really needed. They already give us more bang for the buck with the point buy system tweak. Do players need *more* ability bumps?
I mean, this would be +20 HP, +1 to all saves +1 to all skills, +1 to AC
and for some classes +1 to attack/dam.Granted +1 attack/dam isn't a big thing really but again- do we really need each and every character to get yet another boost?
-S
If the monsters and NPCs also receive a similar "boost", it should all be (theoretically) in balance.
My main reason for this is that using the point-buy system, even 25 points is not very much -- so far every PC in my playtest campaign has had one or even two stats at 6-8 (usually INT, since most characters in the group don't need it). What's even worse is that since most classes only need a single high stat to "shine", it tends to lead to min-maxing -- especially with powergamers. For example, the paladin's player was overjoyed to reduce his WIS to 7 (along with his INT, naturally), as the paladin really needs only a high CHA, complemented with STR and CON.
Now, if there are more points, or more "stat bumps", I think it encourages you to spread your points in a more evenly manner. It may even encourage you to buy "odd" stats, since you know that they will eventually increase, and you don't need to "waste" your stat bumps to raise, say, your INT or WIS or CHA. Your fighter wants to have Combat Expertise? You will do just fine with INT 12 in the beginning, and still qualify for that feat by the 8th level -- *without* using your stat bump to INT (which few players I know would ever do, if they're playing a fighter).
And like I said, it's sort of natural to expect that you pick up a bit of everything during your career -- if your barbarian with INT 8 and WIS 8 survives to 20th level, isn't it logical to assume that he's acquired at least a bit more common sense and reason? Or if your STR 8 and CON 8 wizard spends five years adventuring on the road, it shows as an increase in strength and stamina?