Different races in the game, such as half-orcs have ability score modifiers. For example, iirc Dwarves get +2 constitution and -2 Charisma, half-orcs get +2 strength, -2 intelligence, and -2 charisma, etc.

Question: should female characters get a -2 modifier to their strength?

Discuss.

I don't know how it goes with other races, but for humans, I think they should if they wanna be authentic. But that's just me.

Oh GOD. Wait until someone sees this topic :)

We recently had a very intense discussion about this on Baldur's Gate forum.

Hoo boy. Here come the feminazis..

Even if so, they should get a +2 modifier to dexterity as well. I believe no one would complain if this kind of balance was achieved. As for -2 strength alone, definitely no.

Coincidence? I think NOT!

Is there evidence that women actually have that much more dexterity than men? I mean, when I think about what talents texterity might provide... like say, playing a violin or a cello, I am not seeing the magnitude of advantage there for women that I see for men in weight-lifting competitions. In fact, some of the world's best orchestras like the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra are almost all men, actually...

What a trolly topic! Welcome to GOG, Mr. Rep:9!

..because my opinion is not welcome in this thread? (I just grinned a little)

People who show up out of no where to start arguments are called trolls, pretty much everywhere on the web. Another characteristic is the intolerance of anyone pointing it out, however gently and however humorously. Enjoy your soapbox, sir.

You know... that does make sense. But thinking about it, two seems a bit much, for both strength and dexterity. One seems better for both.

Pot calling the kettle black.

I've occasionally discussed this game on this forum for the last few years, so I clearly have not come "out of no where."

You aren't giving your opinion on the thread topic, you're giving your opinion about the qualities of my personal character (personal attacks instead of legitimate discussion of the thread topic). It's not like you offered an opinion on the thread topic and then someone told you it was unwelcome.

And actually, I find it funny that you're accusing me of saying your views on the thread topic are unwelcome because that's literally what you're doing when you accuse me of being a troll: suggesting my discussion and views are unwelcome on this forum and illegitimate.

I think a +2 charisma modifier makes more sense than +2 dexterity. I see no reason to think women have more dexterity than men. Then again, there are also lots of male leaders, and leadership is strongly associated with charisma... so maybe that doesn't make sense either. But -2 STR definitely seems logical.

Theoretically women are on average smaller than men and thus can easier control their bodies. It allows them to perform acrobatics with less effort and with smaller energy cost. We're not talking about playing musical instruments here. Dexterity in D&D is for avoiding enemy hits, move swiftly in the shadows, pick pockets and open locks. Do you really think that a male has the same predispositions for hiding in the shadows as a female which has a smaller body build? But seriously... Are we talking about real life characteristics in a fantasy game? How can you be so sure that Faerun women have less strength on average than men? It's a fantasy setting. Everything is possible. It's not logical. You're doing a mistake by transferring your real life beliefs into RPG. There has to be some balance here. What's the point in playing as a female, if the only thing she gets is -2 strength? Charisma is an option, but dexterity makes more sense in my opinion.
There's a problem with this. The bonuses for ability scores apply every two levels. So it wouldn't change as much, if the bonuses and penalties were 1.

So you want more balance by providing bonuses that are unrealistic? I don't see why a balance between genders of player characters matters. Tbh, the game would be more realistic and immersive having the people swinging swords on the front lines being nearly all men anyway. Why should I care if none of them are playing female characters? You could still have women in cities, villages, etc. And you may still have a few in adventuring parties playing characters that aren't on the front-lines. Isn't that more like how things actually tended to be during medieval times?

If you want to give women a corresponding buff, I think giving them something like +5 to persuasion checks would make the most sense.

You know, that's a good point. However, thing is, as we all know, in the game you can pick the ugliest face you could and Neeshka and Shandra would still act as if you were one of the most handsome men on Abier-Toril.

Personally, I wouldn't say Faerunian women in general, since I don't know that much about other races, but when it comes to humans, we've got loads of evidence for it.

Okay, I don't follow now...

Okay, cool it now. Let's not get all Lorne here.