Probably not. Usually you can assign the best character in the party to the job, so just let the strong character handle the athletics. Athletics won't help you with saves, which are the most likely strength-based roll you'll be forced to make. Athletics is also good for escaping grapples, but you can use Acrobatics instead, so you'd be better off taking that skill if it's available and your Dex is decent.
Realistically, athletics is one of those skills you can't always have the best party member do (you can't make a party member climb, swim, or jump for you).
So it depends on your character's play style and adventure environment.
Athletics is one of very few skills that can lead to a “pass or die” situation. I absolutely have had characters perma die by failing climb checks, or drowning in sinking ships, because of Athletics. ALWAYS take Athletics.
Presently, one of the chars I am playing is a Str 8 Halfling Scout Rogue. By definition of that sub-class, it is a very physical char. At level 4, that char will be taking Squat Nimbleness, and will end up with both Athletics AND Acrobatics. My DM is actually quite liberal when Acrobatics replaces Athletics in rolls (he is way more liberal than when I DM), but there always will be moments when an Athletics roll is key.
But chars like Wizards should never focus on such skills. They have far greater priorities.
I do it based on character concept. If the character is a traveling acrobat in a circus or some similarly physical role, they'll have Athletics. If they're a posh bard or bookish wizard, they won't. Of course they should cover their physical weakness in another, more appropriate way to avoid those save-or-die situations - most commonly that means spells.
You beat me to it. I’m playing a Tabaxi wizard right now and I took proficiency in Athletics because it fits his conception that he’s good at climbing even though he’s not very strong. Both skills have come up in the campaign and he’s been grateful for his high dexterity and his Athletics skill to overcome his low strength more than once!
Is it worth to take proficiency with Athletics on a low Str high Dex character to compensate for the low Str?
Probably not. Usually you can assign the best character in the party to the job, so just let the strong character handle the athletics. Athletics won't help you with saves, which are the most likely strength-based roll you'll be forced to make. Athletics is also good for escaping grapples, but you can use Acrobatics instead, so you'd be better off taking that skill if it's available and your Dex is decent.
Realistically, athletics is one of those skills you can't always have the best party member do (you can't make a party member climb, swim, or jump for you).
So it depends on your character's play style and adventure environment.
Athletics is one of very few skills that can lead to a “pass or die” situation. I absolutely have had characters perma die by failing climb checks, or drowning in sinking ships, because of Athletics. ALWAYS take Athletics.
dndbeyond.com forum tags
I'm going to make this way harder than it needs to be.
Presently, one of the chars I am playing is a Str 8 Halfling Scout Rogue. By definition of that sub-class, it is a very physical char. At level 4, that char will be taking Squat Nimbleness, and will end up with both Athletics AND Acrobatics. My DM is actually quite liberal when Acrobatics replaces Athletics in rolls (he is way more liberal than when I DM), but there always will be moments when an Athletics roll is key.
But chars like Wizards should never focus on such skills. They have far greater priorities.
I do it based on character concept. If the character is a traveling acrobat in a circus or some similarly physical role, they'll have Athletics. If they're a posh bard or bookish wizard, they won't. Of course they should cover their physical weakness in another, more appropriate way to avoid those save-or-die situations - most commonly that means spells.
My homebrew subclasses (full list here)
(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm
You beat me to it. I’m playing a Tabaxi wizard right now and I took proficiency in Athletics because it fits his conception that he’s good at climbing even though he’s not very strong. Both skills have come up in the campaign and he’s been grateful for his high dexterity and his Athletics skill to overcome his low strength more than once!
Professional computer geek