Ability score reduced to zero - Clarification Needed

[Maester Jun Ixnar]

I noticed some contradictory language about ability scores and what happens when they get reduced to zero... specifically with regards to Dexterity.

In Chapter 1, on page 16, the description for the Dexterity ability score states: "A character with a Dexterity score of 0 is incapable of moving and is effectively immobile (but not unconscious.)"

Later in the Core Rulebook, in Appendix 1, on page 555, I came across this: "If the amount of ability damage you have taken equals or exceeds your ability score, you immediately fall unconscious until the damage is less than your ability score. The only exception to this is your Constitution score. If the damage to your Constitution is equal to or greater than your Constitution score, you die."

So, the question now is "What happens when a character's Dexterity score is effectively reduced to zero through ability damage and/or drain? What condition does the character gain?"

[Davick]

Damage and drain are slightly different.

Ability Damage will cause a character to fall unconscious and will heal with rest or can be healed with magic.

Ability Drain is permanent. A character who has his Dex drained will have to live (or die) with it, and what that comes with, until it's magically restored.

[Lakesidefantasy]

It would seem that 0 Dexterity is specifically called out as not making a character unconscious, so I would think that 0 Dexterity does not make a character unconscious. (It's more fun that way anyway.)

This exact thing happened to my fighter in a recent Pathfinder Society Game.

[Mauril]

The other five ability scores also call out their effects when at 0. Constitution says dead. Strength, Wisdom and Charisma call out being unconscious, while Intelligence says "comatose" (although the difference in-game is unclear). Dexterity calls itself out as an exception.

[Rocky Williams 530]

I would think that ability damage seems to be more specific, so overrides the dexterity description. If your dexterity is 0, you're immobile but not unconscious. Unless it's 0 from ability damage, then you're unconscious because ability damage to 0 ALWAYS makes a character unconscious.

That's just my gut speaking though.

[Maester Jun Ixnar]

Mauril wrote:

The other five ability scores also call out their effects when at 0. Constitution says dead. Strength, Wisdom and Charisma call out being unconscious, while Intelligence says "comatose" (although the difference in-game is unclear). Dexterity calls itself out as an exception.

Re: Intelligence - There really isn't a "comatose" condition, so I would file that under unconscious.