Higher scores in your primary ability help, but lower scores aren’t game ending depending on your overall character. I’m playing a 5th level warlock right now who has a 16 in charisma because I took a feat instead of increasing his charisma at 4th level and he’s doing more damage than the other two members of the party combined somehow. He’s not optimized, he just hits at least once per round with his 2 attack rolls and he uses his 2 spell slots per short rest strategically and carefully.
If it fits your character conception, do it and have fun!
So if plotting long term, even if it means being stuck at 14, feats can be worth it?
Depends on the feat. It is still generally recomanded to get at least a +4 in your primary stat. Which roughly translates to a 10% increase in success rate of related attacks.
Is 16 Manageable? I'll have advantage on most attacks as a barb/rogue. Is risky being me, but my main stat is con over str which is my attack stat. Planning on getting Sentinel and Tough. Will end up with, Str: 16, Dex: 14, Con: 20, Int: 12, Wis: 12, Cha: 8, am a Fire Genasi. We were allowed to take a racial feat at level one, so I used the very fitting for background Efreet Heritage homebrew feat from this site as there are no genasi feats.
Character is a body guard for another PC. Fire Genasi Bard. So sentinel really fits, and will need as many hit points as possible to survive.
Won't even get my first real feat/attribute slot until level 6.
If sticking with 14, was going to get Mobility to make getting where I need to be easier, as well as take better advantage of the extra attack from the scout subclass later.
Barbarian 2, Rogue 18, so I get 5 total, 2 go into raising con. Main reason for mobility is not the movement, but the ability to disengage via attacking, I'll need that bonus action for my extra attack as a scout. Mobility was going to be my last feat at about the same time as I get the extra attack from scout. This way I'm more likely to get that extra sneak attack, as it requires attacking a separate target. Idea being, I can attack one target, then move and attack another target and position myself where best to use sentinel to either protect a more vulnerable character or get yet another sneak attack.
He's primarily a rogue, but not with stealth trained. His primary skills are perception, insight and Investigation. As I said, he's a guard. His job is keeping everyone alive. He will end up with expertise in Perception, Investigate, Insight, Survival, Nature, and Athletics.
He uses a shamshir a dm approved slashing based rapier to fit his arabian theme, and a shield. So before magic items, with 14 dex and 20 con will have 19 AC. I expect it will be higher by then. I just think higher AC, Hp, and Con kind of wins out a bit of 1 higher damage and attack, but I could be wrong. I suspect he'll be taking lots of punishment, especially with sentinel if I get it.
I also considered forgetting the feats and going 20 str and con, will make him one hell of a wrestler if necessary. Which could be good, in our last game, I had to get creative as a chimaera was charging the party and the DM had rolled he was heading straight for Kasim, which was excellent. The party kept failing their rolls to recognize the creature by description earlier, but it was mentioned it breathed fire, something Kasim smirked about when he heard it. So we noticed it charging him from quite a distance. The warforged fighter and halfing monk went next to Kasim to assist when it charged. Kasim warned them, "You know, it's probably going to breath fire." They ignored his warning and stayed. The halfling made his save, Kasim made his save, the warforged failed, and the chimaera rolled a whopping 42 damage. Halfling lost most of his HP, and the warforged dropped instantly. Kasim as a barb/rogue fire genasi of course took very little of that damage, especially making the save and it being fire.
So I asked the DM how low to the ground was the chimaera. It was low enough, so I decided I needed to bring this fight under control. Raged, took a flying leap, and proceeded to enter a grapple with the beast. Well, we both took falling damage but it was worth it, especially as unlike the chimaera I was raging so took half damage from the fall.
After we finally killed the Chimaera, we later found ten platinum, but we have a party of six. Kasim after finding that after unlocking the lock box presented to him, said, "Dammit, ten platinum, why does nothing ever divide evenly..." Gives everyone 2 platinum but when he gets to the warforged and halfling, gives them one each. "Idiot tax." Problem solved, and no arguments.
Is 14 your best score? Do you need every single feat slot (you've got at least five) for something other than an ASI?
If so, then I'd suggest going with Barbarian, Vengeance Paladin, or some other class with a consistent means to attack with advantage. Do that, and you should be fine with a 14 in your attack stat.
I'm going Barb 2/Rogue 18 (Scout), I have reckless attack. Was thinking getting Con to 20, and taking sentinel, tough and mobility. My first level was rogue for clarity. Game started at level three, so am Rogue: 1, Barb: 2
By the time you're able to choose a feat or ASI, you be in the next tier of play and have experience with your hit/miss chances.
Since rogues generally only get one attack a turn, I think it would be wise to take the ASI to increase your hit chance by almost 10% (because of advantage). But if you feel you hit often enough, take the feat!
So far haven't missed yet, but we've only had the encounter with the chimaera. Been the star player, but only one encounter in. But you're right, plenty of time to feel it out.
Your attack stat would be Strength with a Rapier, as a finesse weapon. Only ranged attacks or skills based on Dex would be impacted by the 14 so, not sure if that would matter much considering how you intend to play the character.
Yeah already built with strength as attack stat. Couldn't benefit from reckless attack without it.
The character flavor wise is the type that throws all in when protecting his charge. Thus the combination of reckless attack and sneak attack. He hones in on a vulnerable spot on a target and will do whatever it takes to get to it and end the fight quickly.
then the question comes, out of sentinel, tough, and mobility, which to sacrifice for 16, or stick with 14.
I would take sentinel and mobility. You already put more stock into HP than most characters (over 160). And with high AC and abilities that take away opportunities to take damage, I think you will be fine.
Can you get away with never having more than 14 in your attack stat? What is the lowest number one should consider viable for end game?
Higher scores in your primary ability help, but lower scores aren’t game ending depending on your overall character. I’m playing a 5th level warlock right now who has a 16 in charisma because I took a feat instead of increasing his charisma at 4th level and he’s doing more damage than the other two members of the party combined somehow. He’s not optimized, he just hits at least once per round with his 2 attack rolls and he uses his 2 spell slots per short rest strategically and carefully.
If it fits your character conception, do it and have fun!
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Ability score is more impactful at low level than at high level. At high level proficiency will be a much bigger bonus than an extra +1.
So if plotting long term, even if it means being stuck at 14, feats can be worth it?
Depends on the feat. It is still generally recomanded to get at least a +4 in your primary stat. Which roughly translates to a 10% increase in success rate of related attacks.
Is 16 Manageable? I'll have advantage on most attacks as a barb/rogue. Is risky being me, but my main stat is con over str which is my attack stat. Planning on getting Sentinel and Tough. Will end up with, Str: 16, Dex: 14, Con: 20, Int: 12, Wis: 12, Cha: 8, am a Fire Genasi. We were allowed to take a racial feat at level one, so I used the very fitting for background Efreet Heritage homebrew feat from this site as there are no genasi feats.
Character is a body guard for another PC. Fire Genasi Bard. So sentinel really fits, and will need as many hit points as possible to survive.
Won't even get my first real feat/attribute slot until level 6.
If sticking with 14, was going to get Mobility to make getting where I need to be easier, as well as take better advantage of the extra attack from the scout subclass later.
Barbarian gets a movement bonus as it levels up, plus rogue's cunning action dash.
Not sure what level distribution you will be going for, but rogue gets an extra ASI at level 10, so you should get at least 5.
Barbarian 2, Rogue 18, so I get 5 total, 2 go into raising con. Main reason for mobility is not the movement, but the ability to disengage via attacking, I'll need that bonus action for my extra attack as a scout. Mobility was going to be my last feat at about the same time as I get the extra attack from scout. This way I'm more likely to get that extra sneak attack, as it requires attacking a separate target. Idea being, I can attack one target, then move and attack another target and position myself where best to use sentinel to either protect a more vulnerable character or get yet another sneak attack.
He's primarily a rogue, but not with stealth trained. His primary skills are perception, insight and Investigation. As I said, he's a guard. His job is keeping everyone alive. He will end up with expertise in Perception, Investigate, Insight, Survival, Nature, and Athletics.
He uses a shamshir a dm approved slashing based rapier to fit his arabian theme, and a shield. So before magic items, with 14 dex and 20 con will have 19 AC. I expect it will be higher by then. I just think higher AC, Hp, and Con kind of wins out a bit of 1 higher damage and attack, but I could be wrong. I suspect he'll be taking lots of punishment, especially with sentinel if I get it.
I also considered forgetting the feats and going 20 str and con, will make him one hell of a wrestler if necessary. Which could be good, in our last game, I had to get creative as a chimaera was charging the party and the DM had rolled he was heading straight for Kasim, which was excellent. The party kept failing their rolls to recognize the creature by description earlier, but it was mentioned it breathed fire, something Kasim smirked about when he heard it. So we noticed it charging him from quite a distance. The warforged fighter and halfing monk went next to Kasim to assist when it charged. Kasim warned them, "You know, it's probably going to breath fire." They ignored his warning and stayed. The halfling made his save, Kasim made his save, the warforged failed, and the chimaera rolled a whopping 42 damage. Halfling lost most of his HP, and the warforged dropped instantly. Kasim as a barb/rogue fire genasi of course took very little of that damage, especially making the save and it being fire.
So I asked the DM how low to the ground was the chimaera. It was low enough, so I decided I needed to bring this fight under control. Raged, took a flying leap, and proceeded to enter a grapple with the beast. Well, we both took falling damage but it was worth it, especially as unlike the chimaera I was raging so took half damage from the fall.
After we finally killed the Chimaera, we later found ten platinum, but we have a party of six. Kasim after finding that after unlocking the lock box presented to him, said, "Dammit, ten platinum, why does nothing ever divide evenly..." Gives everyone 2 platinum but when he gets to the warforged and halfling, gives them one each. "Idiot tax." Problem solved, and no arguments.
Is 14 your best score? Do you need every single feat slot (you've got at least five) for something other than an ASI?
If so, then I'd suggest going with Barbarian, Vengeance Paladin, or some other class with a consistent means to attack with advantage. Do that, and you should be fine with a 14 in your attack stat.
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I'm going Barb 2/Rogue 18 (Scout), I have reckless attack. Was thinking getting Con to 20, and taking sentinel, tough and mobility. My first level was rogue for clarity. Game started at level three, so am Rogue: 1, Barb: 2
By the time you're able to choose a feat or ASI, you be in the next tier of play and have experience with your hit/miss chances.
Since rogues generally only get one attack a turn, I think it would be wise to take the ASI to increase your hit chance by almost 10% (because of advantage). But if you feel you hit often enough, take the feat!
So far haven't missed yet, but we've only had the encounter with the chimaera. Been the star player, but only one encounter in. But you're right, plenty of time to feel it out.
Your attack stat would be Strength with a Rapier, as a finesse weapon. Only ranged attacks or skills based on Dex would be impacted by the 14 so, not sure if that would matter much considering how you intend to play the character.
Yeah already built with strength as attack stat. Couldn't benefit from reckless attack without it.
The character flavor wise is the type that throws all in when protecting his charge. Thus the combination of reckless attack and sneak attack. He hones in on a vulnerable spot on a target and will do whatever it takes to get to it and end the fight quickly.
DEX will raise your AC, hit, damage, and DEX save. All useful for a tank (you don't really need high STR with expertise in athletics).
You can ask yourself if free disengage is worth 40 HP and swap tough for mobile.
Can't use Reckless attack with dex.
Right... In that case STR is your primary attack stat. Raising DEX will just be for AC and Saves, and you don't need above a 14.
16 in STR is probably fine, too.
Just do what you want to do.
then the question comes, out of sentinel, tough, and mobility, which to sacrifice for 16, or stick with 14.
I would take sentinel and mobility. You already put more stock into HP than most characters (over 160). And with high AC and abilities that take away opportunities to take damage, I think you will be fine.
Barbarian Rage will soak a lot of damage for you so that extra 2 hp per level won't mean a whole lot. I would drop Tough.
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