Dump Stat: Difference between revisions
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Dump Stat is | '''Dump Stat''' is roleplaying gamer slang for a character statistic with a particularly useless effect compared to the other characteristics. It is the opposite of a [[God Stat]]. Dump stats may be specific to a campaign (for example, an action-focused campaign where most interaction is fighting will render a character's charming social skills mostly irrelevant), a [[GM]]'s house rules, or can be present in the system [[RAW]]. Dump stats are often tied to a character's primary class or focus; combat-oriented characters tend to get little benefit from a high Charisma attribute, for example, whereas spellcasting classes who are usually expected to stay out of frontline combat likewise benefit little from having high strength. | ||
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When a dump stat is obvious as a result of class selection or rules, if possible, many players will use it to ensure they have high scores in their important abilities (either by placing their lowest score in that stat or by neglecting to improve it in points-buy systems). Some consider this to be [[powergamer|powergaming]], but the practice is very widespread. | |||
[[category:game mechanics]] | [[category:game mechanics]] | ||
Revision as of 17:56, 4 September 2008
Dump Stat is roleplaying gamer slang for a character statistic with a particularly useless effect compared to the other characteristics. It is the opposite of a God Stat. Dump stats may be specific to a campaign (for example, an action-focused campaign where most interaction is fighting will render a character's charming social skills mostly irrelevant), a GM's house rules, or can be present in the system RAW. Dump stats are often tied to a character's primary class or focus; combat-oriented characters tend to get little benefit from a high Charisma attribute, for example, whereas spellcasting classes who are usually expected to stay out of frontline combat likewise benefit little from having high strength.
When a dump stat is obvious as a result of class selection or rules, if possible, many players will use it to ensure they have high scores in their important abilities (either by placing their lowest score in that stat or by neglecting to improve it in points-buy systems). Some consider this to be powergaming, but the practice is very widespread.