The Core Rulebook states:
For every 2 points of damage you take to a single ability, apply a –1 penalty to skills and statistics listed with the relevant ability.
Say I have a Fighter with a strength of 16 (STR Mod +3). According to this, taking 1 point of strength damage would have no effect on his STR modifier, it would still be +3.
I suppose this simplifies bookkeeping for a GM, but I tend to keep track of PCs' ability scores already anyway. So I don't see a reason to use this rule because it means that a 17 is no better than a 16. It's also not intuitive: it means keeping track of a separate total, like tracking nonlethal damage in addition to hit points. I will still have to refer to the ability score anyway, to determine whether a character's ability reaches zero and falls unconscious or dies.
You are reading that right, except that the Strength modifier doesn't change at all, no matter how much ability damage the character takes. The penalty is instead of changing the modifier.
You are reading that right, except that the Strength modifier doesn't change at all, no matter how much ability damage the character takes. The penalty is instead of changing the modifier.
For which checks is that distinction important?
Apparently that is indeed the rule. Regardless of the actual number you simply take a -1 for every 2. I'm guessing they did they for ease of use and because it is often a temporary condition that wears off.
I don't think I've ever played it like that...
Edited: Fixed my own stupidity.
I would say that the 1pt in that case does in fact effect modifiers since if you have a STR of 15 (the mod would be +2).
Just how I would rule it.
And in Pathfinder, that would be a houserule.
The Pathfinder rules make the game easier by no longer having you actually recalculate your stats and modifiers based on ability damage. Instead, you record the damage separately and apply a set penalty. It makes it a lot easier.
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I would say that the 1pt in that case does in fact effect modifiers since if you have a STR of 15 (the mod would be +2).
Just how I would rule it.
A PC with 16 STR and 1 point of STR damage still has 16 STR, not 15. That's the difference between damage and drain.
For which checks is that distinction important?You are reading that right, except that the Strength modifier doesn't change at all, no matter how much ability damage the character takes. The penalty is instead of changing the modifier.
For being able to use feats, prestige classes, etc that have a certain ability score requirement (like Power Attack).
Also, with respect to Str, carrying capacity.