Even or odd number for main starting attribute?

[probo]

This question will make it sound like im obsessed with details and that im a perfectionist powergamer without a soul. But here it still goes!

It seems to me that all attribute bonuses are unstackeable. Another observation has lead me to believe that almost all items that give attribute bonuses give so in even numbers! So is it safe to assume that in order to reach maximum potential @ lvl 20, one should start with their main attribute at an odd number? (aware that level adjusted races might benefit from even numbers though)

[Magrus]

Not necessarily. It could just mean that you put only 4 points into the main attribute and 1 into another attribute. For example:

Take a human Wizard. Let's say you start out with a 16 in Int, and a 15 in Dex. You could raise your Int to 20, and your Dex to 16, rather than your Int to 21. Or perhaps you started with a 13 in Con, and would raise it to 14 instead.

It is in your best interest to start with your Int, and main attribute as high as you can. If you plan on having a Int at a certain point in the future, try to get it there at 1st level. Doing otherwise is a waste of skill points. Your main attribute is very important for your class as well. Now, this counters the heavy point cost when raising attributes past 16 (18 for those with racial bonuses). Sometimes, it is worth it to stop at 14-16 in your main attribute, and increase others first off.

However, I would not suggest starting your character with an odd number in your main attribute unless you have spent all of your points in raising the other attributes to the desired level and have just enough for one last point in the main attribute.

[Siberys]

Just a note on starting on odd numbers-

Spellcasters that gain up to 9th level spells, if you were to put all your points in their spellcasting attributes (Like wizards need intelligence, if you put it all in intelligence) then you will need to place at least 15 points in your main spellcasting attribute to gain 9th level spells on the earliest schedule.

I would recommend not doing that, I would recommend at least a 16 in your main spellcasting attribute, possibly 17 or 18 if you can. That gives you room to do your min/maxing power leveling.

[probo]

Ah, thanks for replies. I think I got the necessary information out of ure posts even though you elaborated alot more than necessary for my sake

I know most of what you said already. But now its clear that my initial suspicion about odd numbers were correct!.. hmm..

Usually though I dont need the extra spare points that much when I for example start a sun elf wizard with 19 int, I might aswell start with 20, unless im planning to multiclass or get prestigeclass. Because int is so much more important than other attributes with wizard that I dont care if the ending result is slightly gimped. (you benefit extra skillpoints from having earlier int too though.)

But sometimes I dunno if im gonna get 17 or 19 str on my fighter for example, and now I know having an odd number has great advantage too in the longrun