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Minimum Ability Score - Post-Character Creation
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#1 Dec 2, 2019
CaedRoonan
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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!
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#2 Dec 2, 2019
Houligan
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RAW, you can function with anything above 0.
Last edited by Houligan: Dec 2, 2019
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#3 Dec 2, 2019
MakoaKeo
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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.
- 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
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#4 Dec 2, 2019
ArwensDaughter
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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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#5 Dec 3, 2019
DxJxC
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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.
See AlsoD&D for Kids – Susan J. MorrisAnd 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).
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#6 Dec 3, 2019
BazGC
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Quote from DxJxC >>
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.
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#7 Dec 3, 2019
DxJxC
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Quote from BazGC >>
Quote from DxJxC >>
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
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.
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#8 Dec 3, 2019
BazGC
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Quote from DxJxC >>
Yes. I mentioned exactly this in the previous paragraph (minus examples).
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.
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