Objects and Ability Scores

[Grovestrider]

Do non-magical objects have ability scores? From what I understand, the only ability score that objects do not have is DEX. I also understand that objects that are unattended auto-fail vs spells. But I can see why some objects may have inactive ability scores, i.e. dead bodies are objects.

Do their ability scores cease to exist while dead that only return if brought into life, unlife, or animation? or do the dead bodies keep their ability scores even in death?

Or do some objects have ability scores, but not all. i.e. it is possible for a non-magical object to have an ability score, but not all objects have them.

[dragonhunterq]

non-magical objects explicitly have a dex score of 0.

Generally objects don't have any other ability scores in the conventional sense. Dead bodies are in a weird space of not quite being objects, and not quite being creatures. They keep their ability scores, but are not usually creatures but exceptions exist.

[Byakko]

Objects (outside of intelligent magic items) do not generally have ability scores.

If a creature dies, you use a different set of rules to determine its interaction with the environment.
(although some spells, like the above linked Breath of Life, may reference ability scores, they're really talking about the scores of the creature before it died)

If the body is restored to life, its ability scores will be active again.

If the body is turned into an undead, the creature may or may not have its ability scores based on the original creature (this will vary by the type of undead).

I'm curious where you got the notion that objects have ability scores other than DEX. Do you have a reference?
It looks like this was noted in the rules simply for the purposes of AC calculation.

[Grovestrider]

The motivation for this question came to be mostly out of curiosity. For example:

o How do non-magical objects function before/after the use Greater Polymorph? (Transforming an object into a creature).

o Is there any inherent reason why objects shouldn't have ability scores (even if said ability score is 0)?

o Plants are considered objects, but are technically living and may be conversed with via 'Speak with Plants' Could this mean that it might be possible for living plants to be given a Wisdom score even if it of 1?

[Byakko]

Greater Polymorph would probably create a generic type of the creature.

I can think of a few reasons why objects aren't typically given stats:
They largely don't make sense for objects.
Allows for object specific rules, such as hardness, to better model them.
Avoids various rules quagmires as players would try to attempt to apply creature rules to objects if they had stats.
An attempt to keep things simple. Coming up with stats for anything interacted with would be laborious.

Plants?
"Wisdom describes a character's willpower, common sense, awareness, and intuition." These are things I wouldn't generally consider plants to have.
A solid argument could be made for giving a plant a Constitution score, though.
The real question isn't whether you can give a plant an ability score, but whether you should. In general, plants are similar to inanimate objects as far as a player is concerned, and will often be treated as a physical obstacle. This is why they're treated as objects. If a plant's ability score somehow becomes relevant, the GM can always come up with something.

[dragonhunterq]

Grovestrider & DHq wrote:

The motivation for this question came to be mostly out of curiosity. For example:

o How do non-magical objects function before/after the use Greater Polymorph? (Transforming an object into a creature). the object functions normally, being the subject of Gtr Polymorph won't have any further impact on the object once the spell ends. While the spell is in effect it acts exactly as what it is transformed into.

o Is there any inherent reason why objects shouldn't have ability scores (even if said ability score is 0)? they are unnecessary

o Plants are considered objects, but are technically living and may be conversed with via 'Speak with Plants' Could this mean that it might be possible for living plants to be given a Wisdom score even if it of 1? also unnecessary, what purpose does it serve? the spell already describes in general terms what happens, giving it a wisdom score won't change that.