Funny ways to explain what stats mean.

[The Great and Powerful Zorchev]

I've taken on a position where I have to teach new players on a weekly basis, and while I'm getting pretty good at quickly explaining the basics I'd love to make it more intriguing - starting with the opening of explaining what stats do. If you can think up any better options, I'll tip my hat in your general direction, but here's mine.

You are traveling in the forest and come across a vast chasm, blocking your path:

The 18 STR character climbs down the cliff and back up the other side.
The 18 DEX character leaps across the gorge effortlessly.
The 18 CON character does a controlled fall to the bottom of the gorge - because they can take the hit.
The 18 INT character starts building a glider out of bark and a ladder out of vines to help the 18 CON character back to the top of the cliff.
The 18 WIS character takes the bridge...
Aaand the 18 CHA character convinces everyone that she found the bridge.

Full disclosure, this actually happened. Happy hunting.

[My Self]

I'd assume each of them dumped all their other stats, because I think that even with 10 WIS, you should be able to find the bridge.

[haremlord]

I would think that the 18 CHA character got the 18 STR character to carry them.

[Bill Dunn]

I always like the tomato one:
Strength is being able to crush a tomato.
Dexterity is being able to dodge a tomato.
Constitution is being able to eat a bad tomato.
Intelligence is knowing a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is knowing not to put a tomato in a fruit salad.
Charisma is being able to sell a tomato-based fruit salad.

[K-kun the Insane]

Bill Dunn wrote:

I always like the tomato one:

Strength is being able to crush a tomato.
Dexterity is being able to dodge a tomato.
Constitution is being able to eat a bad tomato.
Intelligence is knowing a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is knowing not to put a tomato in a fruit salad.
Charisma is being able to sell a tomato-based fruit salad.

I chuckled after reading this. I then snickered when I did this:

Patches O'Houlihan wrote:

Dexterity is being able to dodge a wrench. If you can dodge a wrench, then you can dodge a ball.

[Josh-o-Lantern]

Bill Dunn wrote:

I always like the tomato one:

Strength is being able to crush a tomato.
Dexterity is being able to dodge a tomato.
Constitution is being able to eat a bad tomato.
Intelligence is knowing a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is knowing not to put a tomato in a fruit salad.
Charisma is being able to sell a tomato-based fruit salad.

isn't a tomato-based fruit salad just salsa?

[MisterDoug]

Josh-o-Lantern wrote:

Bill Dunn wrote:

I always like the tomato one:

Strength is being able to crush a tomato.
Dexterity is being able to dodge a tomato.
Constitution is being able to eat a bad tomato.
Intelligence is knowing a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is knowing not to put a tomato in a fruit salad.
Charisma is being able to sell a tomato-based fruit salad.

isn't a tomato-based fruit salad just salsa?

Guys I found the Bard!

[My Self]

Josh-o-Lantern wrote:

Bill Dunn wrote:

I always like the tomato one:

Strength is being able to crush a tomato.
Dexterity is being able to dodge a tomato.
Constitution is being able to eat a bad tomato.
Intelligence is knowing a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is knowing not to put a tomato in a fruit salad.
Charisma is being able to sell a tomato-based fruit salad.

isn't a tomato-based fruit salad just salsa?

Only if you have enough ranks in Craft (tasty food) or Profession (Chef). Otherwise, it's just a mess.

[lemeres]

For the mental ones:

Int- Make a complex plan
Wis- Figure out all the logistics needed to make that plan work
Cha- dupping people into giving you the materials and labor to get the plan to work.

Now to associate it with jobs:

Int- the architect that designs a bridge
Wis- the foreman that knows how much material and labor you need to get that design made
Cha- the politician that argues for the bridge at the budget meeting.