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In much the same way that signature skills imposed cliched play styles on classes, there is a limiting force in the inability to choose where the starting class-given ability boost goes. Some classes already have two choices, but it'd be better yet if all classes could apply their single ability boosts to any ability score they choose.
Alternatively, the same effect can be achieved by allowing archetype dedication feats to reallocate that ability boost. Either way, this opens up a little more customization without unbalancing anything.
I'd concur; there are legitimate builds that want to pump Str or Dex instead of the primary ability score of their class. Such builds are possible using rolled ability scores or point buy, but not through the standard ability score generation being playtested. In a system where even a single extra +1 makes a massive difference in your character's overall performance, that is very concerning.
The general pattern seems to be that spellcasters boost their casting stats and martial characters boost their attack stat, so anything that alters a class's casting stat or attack stat should modify the key stat for that class (retroactively if necessary).
Any caster built that focuses on buffs and other spells that don't use attack rolls/saving throws, or focus on other class mechanics might want to increase other stats instead of their casting stat (healer Cleric - Charisma, shapeshifter druid - Strength, anyone - Constitution, Dexterity, or Wisdom for Perception).
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In much the same way that signature skills imposed cliched play styles on classes, there is a limiting force in the inability to choose where the starting class-given ability boost goes. Some classes already have two choices, but it'd be better yet if all classes could apply their single ability boosts to any ability score they choose.
Alternatively, the same effect can be achieved by allowing archetype dedication feats to reallocate that ability boost. Either way, this opens up a little more customization without unbalancing anything.
I'd go a step further and remove the bonus altogether, simply change the "Free bonuses" to instead have a +4, +2, +2, +2. That frees things up and doesn't break the "nothing above 18" metric they wanted.
Also would like to see them allowing spending two of your +2 boosts at level 5 to achieve a 20 instead of a 19, but that's a separate topic.
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I guess the question is to what extent we want to protect people from themselves, since for example, a Barbarian with 18 Str and 16 Cha is simply more effective than a Barbarian with 18 Cha and 16 Str but both are decidedly "strong and charismatic".
Like I get the desire to start with an 18 Con, but until they bring back the Kineticist (or the Scarred Witch Doctor, or someone who gets more than HP and Fort from it) it's kind of a trap option.
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anyone - Constitution, Dexterity, or Wisdom for Perception).
While constitution is good for everybody, it's not critical for anybody. Hit points and fortitude saves are great things to have, but you will always have a more important ability score and a 16 is all you need. Wisdom is in a similar boat; initiative, perception, will saves, and will-based skills are a very nice package, but if you're not a wisdom-based spellcaster it's not going to be your highest priority and a 16 is more than sufficient.
Dexterity and Strength are the two big ones, since anyone can potentially choose to pick up a weapon and make that their primary combat strategy. This creates friction with the caster class fixed ability scores; you'd often rather have the 18 in str and the 16 in charisma than vice-versa.
I guess the question is to what extent we want to protect people from themselves, since for example, a Barbarian with 18 Str and 16 Cha is simply more effective than a Barbarian with 18 Cha and 16 Str but both are decidedly "strong and charismatic".
On the other hand, both 16 Str/18 Cha and 18 Str/16 Cha are perfectly viable choices for a Sorcerer.
This seems to mostly impact casters and I kind of don't want casters starting out as good as martials, they have their spells they don't need to be as good with a blade as a rogue or paladin.
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This seems to mostly impact casters and I kind of don't want casters starting out as good as martials, they have their spells they don't need to be as good with a blade as a rogue or paladin.
If letting a caster start with an 18 in strength makes them as good starting out as martials, then we have far bigger concerns than tweaks to the ability score generation system.