I believe the PHB has a minimum of 8 for any ability score. I am DM'ing a campaign where ability scores could potentially take a hit and I'm trying to decide how low is too low.. For example, if a characters Strength drops to 5, are they still able to ambulate about or is 5 too low to even function? Or is 8 considered minimum because 7 or below produces an unplayable character? I realize there may not be any hard and fast rule... but I'm asking for groupthink opinion... Thanks!
There's a chart someone made that I enjoyed referencing and it gave a breakdown for each stat. If you google "D&D Stats in Simple Language," you can find the full chart. What they came up with for Strength I've quoted below. Ultimately it's up to you, but this could bring up some interesting situations.
Strength
1 (–5): Morbidly weak, has significant trouble lifting own limbs
2-3 (–4): Needs help to stand, can be knocked over by strong breezes
4-5 (–3): Knocked off balance by swinging something dense
6-7 (–2): Difficulty pushing an object of their weight
8-9 (–1): Has trouble even lifting heavy objects
10-11 (0): Can literally pull their own weight
12-13 (1): Carries heavy objects for short distances
14-15 (2): Visibly toned, throws small objects for long distances
16-17 (3): Carries heavy objects with one arm
18-19 (4): Can break objects like wood with bare hands
20-21 (5): Able to out-wrestle a work animal or catch a falling person
22-23 (6): Can pull very heavy objects at appreciable speeds
24-25 (7): Pinnacle of brawn, able to out-lift several people
As far as I know, there is no 8 minimum in the PHB. What is the case is that if one uses Standard Array or Point buy, the lowest scores for both those options are 8; but if one rolls stats (the first option given in the PHB), the lowest stat possibility is 3.
If you use point buy or standard array, the lowest unmodified ability is 8. If you roll stats, the lowest possible is 3. Kobold and orc player races have -2 racial modifiers in some stats.
And lastly, there are spells and monster effects that can lower stats (usually saying what happens if they get low enough).
There are no specific rules for it, but I would argue if any stat reaches 0 the character stops functioning in some crippling way (possibly fatally).
There are no specific rules for it, but I would argue if any stat reaches 0 the character stops functioning in some crippling way (possibly fatally).
Usually effects which do this say what happens when the stat hits 0 as it may vary depending on the cause and how it's fixed. Examples include the drain effects in these stat blocks:
There are no specific rules for it, but I would argue if any stat reaches 0 the character stops functioning in some crippling way (possibly fatally).
Usually effects which do this say what happens when the stat hits 0 as it may vary depending on the cause and how it's fixed. Examples include the drain effects in these stat blocks:
I believe the PHB has a minimum of 8 for any ability score. I am DM'ing a campaign where ability scores could potentially take a hit and I'm trying to decide how low is too low.. For example, if a characters Strength drops to 5, are they still able to ambulate about or is 5 too low to even function? Or is 8 considered minimum because 7 or below produces an unplayable character? I realize there may not be any hard and fast rule... but I'm asking for groupthink opinion... Thanks!
RAW, you can function with anything above 0.
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There's a chart someone made that I enjoyed referencing and it gave a breakdown for each stat. If you google "D&D Stats in Simple Language," you can find the full chart. What they came up with for Strength I've quoted below. Ultimately it's up to you, but this could bring up some interesting situations.
As far as I know, there is no 8 minimum in the PHB. What is the case is that if one uses Standard Array or Point buy, the lowest scores for both those options are 8; but if one rolls stats (the first option given in the PHB), the lowest stat possibility is 3.
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If you use point buy or standard array, the lowest unmodified ability is 8. If you roll stats, the lowest possible is 3. Kobold and orc player races have -2 racial modifiers in some stats.
And lastly, there are spells and monster effects that can lower stats (usually saying what happens if they get low enough).
There are no specific rules for it, but I would argue if any stat reaches 0 the character stops functioning in some crippling way (possibly fatally).
Usually effects which do this say what happens when the stat hits 0 as it may vary depending on the cause and how it's fixed. Examples include the drain effects in these stat blocks:
Shadow and Intellect Devourer
Please take a look at my homebrewed Spells, Magic Items, and Subclasses. Any feedback appreciated.
Yes. I mentioned exactly this in the previous paragraph (minus examples).
My final paragraph was referring to in general, as the OP mentioned using homebrew and may not have clearly defined consequences.
I'd missed that part... I shouldn't post when I'm still waking up >.<
Please take a look at my homebrewed Spells, Magic Items, and Subclasses. Any feedback appreciated.