Hello! I am wondering if there is any way to set an ability score to a low number when a magic item is equipped.

I am making a certain cursed magic item that sets a player's ability score to 3, but I can't seem to be able to set a player's score to any number lower than what it naturally is.

If there is any way at all to get around this, please let me know! Thanks in advance! :)

What you request is currently not possible via homebrew.

The player can override the score on the sheet directly, however.

Ah, that's a real shame, isn't it?

Oh well. Thank you for the solution! I'll be sure to have my players use that when it is appropriate :)

You could do a bonus of negative 5 or -10 etc. Minimum 3.  Instead of just dropping it to 3.

Modifier type: Bonus

Modifier subtype: Strength Score (or whichever, or choice of ...)

Fixed value: -10

Details: Minimum of 3

I know it works for a feat. You need 2 different modifiers:

MODIFIER TYPE: Bonus 
MODIFIER SUBTYPE: Strength Score
FIXED VALUE: -20

MODIFIER TYPE: Set 
MODIFIER SUBTYPE: Strength Score
FIXED VALUE: 3

I had to figure this out for my Wild Shape howto. Can't remember if I ever tried this method on a magic item.

Also I don't believe you can set an ability score lower than a 3 using this method.

OH, that's smart. Let me see if that works.

Tysm! That seems to work perfectly! :)