I would have more expected that CON and DEX (in some order) to be the 2nd and 3rd highest score, in most standards builds, (when DEX is not the highest). Could you please tell me what I might be missing or failing to factor in?
In general, I’d guess because they’re trying to give an array for a more well-rounded character. Probably, they assume someone using that chart is new to the game, and the stat lines there reflect a more classic example of how each class would look, rather than a min-maxed version.
But bard has dex as its second score, and Druid has con, so I’m not sure about your issue there.
So, for a wizard, people think of someone who spends all their time studying, so a higher wisdom makes sense, while a low dex and con — for someone who rarely exercises— also makes sense.
Clerics with a high str, I’m guessing, is because they’re trying don’t know the subclass someone will choose, and want to give the option for some heavier armor.
And some of your examples, I don’t even see a problem. Paladins have top score on str, second in cha, third in con makes a lot of sense, for example.
Okay then it's perhaps more about story telling than survivability? Re: Paladins (I don't know much about building a Paladin) I probably described in badly for the Paladin; I was a little surprised that WIS was higher than DEX. I sort of get that it would probably be STR, CHA, and then probably CON but I would have expected DEX to at least come in 4th.
Okay then it's perhaps more about story telling than survivability? Re: Paladins (I don't know much about building a Paladin) I probably described in badly for the Paladin; I was a little surprised that WIS was higher than DEX. I sort of get that it would probably be STR, CHA, and then probably CON but I would have expected DEX to at least come in 4th.
Paladins are kind of assumed to be in heavy armor, and don't get any dex skills, so dex isn't going to be too exciting for them except for initiative. they're tanky, not quick. Also, in past editions, paladins casting stat was wisdom, so maybe a bit of a relic from that.
And personally, I'm a fan of a good wisdom score. I know dex is an important stat, don't get me wrong. But wisdom boosts perception, which is useful for anyone. And if you fail a wisdom save, you usually end up stunned or held or charmed or dominated or something that can completely take you out of a fight. Fail a dex save and you take some damage, but otherwise you'll still get to act. And, of course, paladins will end up adding their cha to their saves, so eventually, that can help cover the deficit in dex there.
Re: Paladins I didn't factor in ability to add CHA to their saves. And then for Bards, Cleric, Druids, and Paladins, I probably didn't factor in, or factor in enough, the ability to wear Armor that provides meaningful bump to AC. Okay thank you that helps. I might still not understand the Wizard's 14 WIS.
I think they nail the themes pretty well across the board. With sub classes coming in at 3rd level I can see some argument for specific choices there fitting the class/subclass better like maybe Dex being 14 for illusionists so swapping that with wisdom if the player was planning on taking illusionist. It isn't the most min maxed choice but the ones that fit the theme of the classes best. I have not checked the free rules but I doubt the specific array is forced, just a suggestion.
Paladins are mostly front line fighters so strength being the number one makes sense to me, again I'm sure there are builds that are better where charisma is top or something. But their top 2 stats are going to be str/chr, they wear heavy armor usually so dex is mostly a dump stat for them.
The ones I have issues with is warlock as thematically they seem more int focused than chr focused, I get charisma being the top slot due to their imo poor choice in making it their casting stat, but I'd of put the 14 in int thematically. Rogues outside of thugs are usually seen as charismatic so that would not be my dump choice, wisdom likely would be. Lives of crime usually aren't the first choice of the wise. Rangers I'd of made the dump stat charisma not int, less social but not dumb. But that is more nitpicking, its pretty solid imo overall.
I forgot about considerations related to planning for multiclassing, when I asked the original question. That could make a difference.
Perhaps somewhat tangential to this is how they've done Backgrounds for 2024: characters gets their +1 and +2 to Ability Score Increase from from their background (kind of a pick 2 out of 3), but then also Origin Feat, 2 Skill Proficiencies, Tool Proficiency, Starting Equipment Package, plus the Story Element of the Background are all bundled into one kind of consequential decision. I feel kind of locked into a limited number of choices of backgrounds, by the Ability Score Increase offerings, so then locked into a limited number of possible Origin Feats,, Tool Proficiencies, , and certain element of Story Element of my backstory seem to get debated by that. I guess being more flexible about the Ability Score Increases would open up a lot more options. I think Skill Proficiencies, Tool Proficiency might be sort of important in a campaign that does Crafting, so it seems like all the decisions might matter for your longer term quality of life, playing your character.
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I don't understand the reasoning behind and I'm surprised be some of the "Standard Array by Class' for some of the Classes, like Bard, Cleric, Druid. Paladin and Wizard,. See https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/free-rules/creating-a-character#StandardArraybyClass.
I would have more expected that CON and DEX (in some order) to be the 2nd and 3rd highest score, in most standards builds, (when DEX is not the highest). Could you please tell me what I might be missing or failing to factor in?
In general, I’d guess because they’re trying to give an array for a more well-rounded character. Probably, they assume someone using that chart is new to the game, and the stat lines there reflect a more classic example of how each class would look, rather than a min-maxed version.
But bard has dex as its second score, and Druid has con, so I’m not sure about your issue there.
So, for a wizard, people think of someone who spends all their time studying, so a higher wisdom makes sense, while a low dex and con — for someone who rarely exercises— also makes sense.
Clerics with a high str, I’m guessing, is because they’re trying don’t know the subclass someone will choose, and want to give the option for some heavier armor.
And some of your examples, I don’t even see a problem. Paladins have top score on str, second in cha, third in con makes a lot of sense, for example.
Okay then it's perhaps more about story telling than survivability? Re: Paladins (I don't know much about building a Paladin) I probably described in badly for the Paladin; I was a little surprised that WIS was higher than DEX. I sort of get that it would probably be STR, CHA, and then probably CON but I would have expected DEX to at least come in 4th.
Paladins are kind of assumed to be in heavy armor, and don't get any dex skills, so dex isn't going to be too exciting for them except for initiative. they're tanky, not quick. Also, in past editions, paladins casting stat was wisdom, so maybe a bit of a relic from that.
And personally, I'm a fan of a good wisdom score. I know dex is an important stat, don't get me wrong. But wisdom boosts perception, which is useful for anyone. And if you fail a wisdom save, you usually end up stunned or held or charmed or dominated or something that can completely take you out of a fight. Fail a dex save and you take some damage, but otherwise you'll still get to act. And, of course, paladins will end up adding their cha to their saves, so eventually, that can help cover the deficit in dex there.
Re: Paladins I didn't factor in ability to add CHA to their saves. And then for Bards, Cleric, Druids, and Paladins, I probably didn't factor in, or factor in enough, the ability to wear Armor that provides meaningful bump to AC. Okay thank you that helps. I might still not understand the Wizard's 14 WIS.
I think they nail the themes pretty well across the board. With sub classes coming in at 3rd level I can see some argument for specific choices there fitting the class/subclass better like maybe Dex being 14 for illusionists so swapping that with wisdom if the player was planning on taking illusionist. It isn't the most min maxed choice but the ones that fit the theme of the classes best. I have not checked the free rules but I doubt the specific array is forced, just a suggestion.
Paladins are mostly front line fighters so strength being the number one makes sense to me, again I'm sure there are builds that are better where charisma is top or something. But their top 2 stats are going to be str/chr, they wear heavy armor usually so dex is mostly a dump stat for them.
The ones I have issues with is warlock as thematically they seem more int focused than chr focused, I get charisma being the top slot due to their imo poor choice in making it their casting stat, but I'd of put the 14 in int thematically. Rogues outside of thugs are usually seen as charismatic so that would not be my dump choice, wisdom likely would be. Lives of crime usually aren't the first choice of the wise. Rangers I'd of made the dump stat charisma not int, less social but not dumb. But that is more nitpicking, its pretty solid imo overall.
I forgot about considerations related to planning for multiclassing, when I asked the original question. That could make a difference.
Perhaps somewhat tangential to this is how they've done Backgrounds for 2024: characters gets their +1 and +2 to Ability Score Increase from from their background (kind of a pick 2 out of 3), but then also Origin Feat, 2 Skill Proficiencies, Tool Proficiency, Starting Equipment Package, plus the Story Element of the Background are all bundled into one kind of consequential decision. I feel kind of locked into a limited number of choices of backgrounds, by the Ability Score Increase offerings, so then locked into a limited number of possible Origin Feats,, Tool Proficiencies, , and certain element of Story Element of my backstory seem to get debated by that. I guess being more flexible about the Ability Score Increases would open up a lot more options. I think Skill Proficiencies, Tool Proficiency might be sort of important in a campaign that does Crafting, so it seems like all the decisions might matter for your longer term quality of life, playing your character.