Ability Scores

[Archeron]

Just curious, in general what sort of ability scores do you settle for when creating a new character?

I usually will settle on about 84 total points, and tend to distribute them at 18 or 10-whats the point in going in half hearted at say 14! I also have a thing about single digit abilities, I can't stand them (don't know why, I guess cos it looks bad more than anything). Although with Paladins and rangers score usually are never below 92.

It takes about 5 minutes of rolling, but I reckon its worth it.

[Stilgar]

It depends, sometimes i just create a character and give it a very low strenght or charisma and then edit it with shadowkeeper.
Cuase sometimes I create 3 characters a day just to try something and then the hours of rolling can be very annoying.
But I always edit to a realistic number, so usually around 82, depending on the class I play

[Archeron]

SK is too easy, its just so simple to have 18 (or even 25) in each ability, I enjoy rolling as it is random (isn't it?), is use SK to chanfe simple things like colors, alignment- just finishing touches.

I have just installed ToB and added the Valen mod with its 'extra hardness' (how hard, I'm yet to find out) so maybe in the near future I'll resort to SK's more inviting abilities- just to get past that one bit, I swear,- yeh, then I'll change it back- promise!

[Eerhardt]

I recommend high Strength and high Charisma to avoid being encumbered and to get low prices in stores. Of course, there are plenty of items around to make up for low Strength or low Charisma... I usually try to get at least 17 in the Prime Requisite of the Class I'm creating too.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

I try for 18(19 if it's possible with the race I'm using) in the prime stat for my class, and usually as high a Dex score as possible too. Charisma depends upon how I see my character; my half-orc barbarian has 10, for instance, while my elven archer has 19 (with Hell bonus and the Machine of Lum the Mad).

I mostly use SK to change proficiencies and sometimes cheat a little to make my character more like the way I want them to be (My archer has UAI so he can wear Elven chain and has ** in long swords, but he also uses the Elven Court Bow+3 and not Taralesh+5, even though I have both).

[Archeron]

Is a high Dex score relevant to all characters? I got the impression (and I can't remember all the tables), that a high Dex gave AC bonuses to all characters, is this true.

My mages always have Dex 18, how does this affect them in the 'field', i.e with slings and AC etc.

[Bruce Lee]

It can be quite rewarding to start off having really crappy stats and then improve as you go alonng and find items that can raise them. I usually just take the first roll unless it is really crappy.
Play with minimum stats for instance... I seem to recall hearing of someone who soloed a kensai with minimum stats... quite an achievement!!

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Originally posted by Archeron
Is a high Dex score relevant to all characters? I got the impression (and I can't remember all the tables), that a high Dex gave AC bonuses to all characters, is this true.

My mages always have Dex 18, how does this affect them in the 'field', i.e with slings and AC etc.

I can't seem to find my manual at the moment, but it will give them AC bonuses and THAC0 bonuses with ranged weapons, including slings.

[Archeron]

So is having high Dex like having weapon proficiencies but in an entire weapon class -in this case ranged.

Is this how it works for strenght too? i.e 'to hit' bonus.

<edit> this is being answered in nba_browns post

[Eerhardt]

@Archeron: yes, but Strength only applies to melee weapons (and possibly hurled missile weapons like throwing axes).

[kopywrite]

Doesn't strength also apply with magic slings? I know it does with the sling of seeking (as its supposed to according to the description) but I think some others have the strength bonus applied...

[Eerhardt]

@Kopywrite: please check my previous post here. Strength bonuses may indeed also apply to hurled missile weapons like Slings and Throwing Axes.

[Archeron]

Yeh, sling of seeking is great especially with 19 strength (belt) on a mage., just sitting out of harms way scoring 12-18 points of damage!, its like having another front line fighter who doesn't get in the way.

Don't know about any other slings though......

[kopywrite]

@ Eerhardt; I read your previous post, hence my reply

As the sling of seeking has as its special attribute the fact that strength bonus included, I always assumed that other slings wouldn't...the sling of seeking would just be an ordinary +2 sling wouldn't it if it did what other slings do anyway...


Sling of Seeking
Unlike most other slings, the Sling of Seeking is capable of throwing stones and allowing a strength bonus to be applied to the damage it inflicts. Although the sling is magical, giving it a bonus to hit and to damage, it is capable of inflicting strength damage due to its design, not magic.

Or does the strength bonus normally apply only to the 'to hit'?

As slings have a launcher, do they count as hurled?

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

If you put bullets in any sling you get a strength bonus as well as the sling's normal damage. Try it with the Sling of Everard and see.

[Eerhardt]

Ah, I see, kopywrite. I would suspect slings to be considered hurled weapons too, so a Strength bonus should apply to the damage inflicted. Requires some testing, though

[Archeron]

Beats me, time read up or wait for someone real smart

[Sabre]

According to the item files, only the Sling of Seeking +2 adds strength bonus to the damage done by the bullets and the +2 that the sling itself gives.. All other slings just have the damage of the bullet and any bonus that the sling itself gives.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Originally posted by Archeron
Beats me, time read up or wait for someone real smart

And there Sabre is, right on time .

[Archeron]

So sling of seeking is the best in the game (depending on strength), in terms of damage anyway. Except I guess when you need the high THACO bonuses to defeat high level enimies ( our mate the frienly ol D Lich ).

Its very easy to acquire which is any point.