I have a level 15 halfling Order of the Sword cavalier
Build list? ;P
|
Never started a character with a stat higher than 17 and probably never will.
When your 13th lvl Seeker is able to routinely end freaking gorilla liches, some paltry 5 percent increase in accuracy you missed back on level 1 doesn't really bother anymore. Yeah, going from +4 1d10+4 to +5 d+6 is banging at first, it quickly loses its luster. Equipment, feats, boons, racial abilities, etc can quickly add up.
Trust me, build the way you like, play the way you like.
Trust me, build the way you like, play the way you like.
7 int/ 7 con wizard coming right up!
|
|
Funny that this issue got responded to; I was thinking about it this morning out of nowhere, from the context of teaching someone who's never heard of d20 before some basics of how to play and character creation.
I just can't see myself going with the "play whatever you want", because if you want to play a dumb wizard, there's no way I'm letting it slide that the player should choose a 10 or 12 or worst int score. I'm more likely to tell them that that will kill their game and they should consider opting for an unwise wizard instead.
I'd start off by recommending that they do try to min max a bit, keeping a high score like 16 to 18 (bare minimum 14) in their primary stat and not worrying if one or two stats gets down to 7 or 8, warning them of the consequences of that, but pointing out that it may not be a bad choice either.
I just haven't seen a build of any experienced player with a 14/14/14/14/10/10 point buy that doesn't have a power build on the rest of their sheet before; it'd be worse in the hands of a newbie. If they want that kind of point buy, better they take it later in their Pathfinder career when I don't have to explain how to create a character.
|
|
I'm a proponent of playing whatever you like, but also of being conscious of what you're deciding. As long as you realize that your rogue with 10 14 10 14 14 14 is a weakling who gets beat up by kobolds, then have at it. Not every character needs to be the unstoppable terminator. When writing up new characters, I tend to start with the standard spread 16 14 14 12 10 8 and tweak if needed.
When your 13th lvl Seeker is able to routinely end freaking gorilla liches, some paltry 5 percent increase in accuracy you missed back on level 1 doesn't really bother anymore. Yeah, going from +4 1d10+4 to +5 d+6 is banging at first, it quickly loses its luster.
The smallest possible increase in to hit on a single attack is 5.6%, which represents hitting on a 2 instead of a 3. Even then, it would give a 7.7% increase on your second attack (hitting on a 7 instead of an 8), and a 12.5% increased number of hits on your third attack (hitting on a 12 instead of an 13).
In short, your level 13 character is getting at least 8.6% increased hits on a full attack.
My only assumption is that the +1 to hit increases the to hit probabilities on all attacks. I.e., no hitting on a 2 or only on a 20.
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
My characters often only have one or two stats which actually effect the class. This results in a typical point buy having three stats dumped to 7s with a 14 con. The main stat will be an 18 and the secondary stat will be a 16. The racials often push these to a 20 and 18 respectively.
I actually don't understand the aversion to dump stats. Adventurers don't have to be paragons of humanity with no character flaws. I actually believe they make more sense when thought of like a Roman god in a fantasy setting; distinct areas which they are incredible at but very obvious flaws and weakness.
From a mechanics standpoint this buy often means 1 save is slightly harmed while getting significant boosts in others. It also means that whatever you are trying to do with your character is effective. Nobody wants to be the fighter who missed, the wizard whose save dc was too low, or the bard who couldn't diplomacy. Understand what is important for your character and give yourself the best chance at succeeding.