It means you should read the manual. Failing that, read Appendix 1 of my site.

Simply put the tables in the manual show that there are a whole bunch of strength increments around 18. In order the possible strengths are:
16
17
18/01-18/50
18/51-18/75
18/76-18/90
18/91-18/99
18/00
19
20

For the love of God... :eek:
Tell me one thing: if you wish to play with a character with a certain set of abilities, why don't you make one? Use ShadowKeeper or SwordCoastKeeper and create a character you like and will enjoy playing with. Why would anyone spend an hour listening to that awful music ;) and summing up numbers when he could be playing is beyond my comprehension.

I knew that there were this different incriments, but I always wondered WHY they existed, and why only around the number 18.

For the love of God... :eek:
Tell me one thing: if you wish to play with a character with a certain set of abilities, why don't you make one? Use ShadowKeeper or SwordCoastKeeper and create a character you like and will enjoy playing with. Why would anyone spend an hour listening to that awful music ;) and summing up numbers when he could be playing is beyond my comprehension. </font>[/QUOTE]Cause that would be cheating :D

Really though, I couldn't live with myself if I did that. I have to know that I did it for real. It's all part of the fun for me.

If you do it in BG1 the music is pretty good.

i recently read in a thread somewhere why they did this, although I don't remember where it was and I don't exactly remember why they did it. I think it had something to do with cheating or every one putting their strength up to 18 or something for any class...I really don't remember. Do a search for the thread if you want.

Actually, BG1 music was on my mind when I said that ;) ...

Cheating. I'm starting to hate that word.
I find the process of rolling tedious and boring; if there is some appeal in it for you, by all means, do whatever pleases you, the game is to be enjoyed. But if I choose to circumvent that part, don't call me a cheater. I can't cheat my computer, and I can't cheat myself.
(I am not insulted, I am just not very expressive [img]smile.gif[/img] )

i recently read in a thread somewhere why they did this, although I don't remember where it was and I don't exactly remember why they did it. I think it had something to do with cheating or every one putting their strength up to 18 or something for any class...I really don't remember. Do a search for the thread if you want. </font>[/QUOTE]That's not it, as the rules for exceptional strength go back to 1st edition AD&D. They are deisgned for pen and paper. I guess it's just to reduce the odds that you can roll the same strength as an ogre from 1 in 216 to 1 in 21,600. The increments basically show an increasing lack of probability for getting the best rolls. The odds are:
17: 1 in 108
18/01-18/50: 1 in 432
18/51-18/75: 1 in 864
18/76-18/90: 1 in 1,440
18/91-18/99: 1 in 2,700
18/00: 1 in 21,600

Of course once you let anyone get +1 strength (whether through being a half-orc or through a tome) that little scheme goes right out the window - this individual can jum directly from 18 strenth (1 in 216) to 19 strength and skip the 5 intermediate stages. Really it would be better if the +1 strength were treated as + 10% to the exceptional score instead (so a half orc who isn't a fighter could at best have 18/10).

In the real game aren;t you only allowed one roll? (I don't play PnP)If so by re-rolling all you are doing is indulging in 'cheating' allowed by the game engine :D

Different DMs, different rules. Some DMs use 3D6 to roll stats, some use 4D6 and ignore the lowest die of each set.

1) Some might make you roll one set of numbers, but allow you to select which stats you want them to go in. For instance, say you rolled a 17, 15, 15, 12, 9, and 8. If you're building a Thief, you can arrange those stats so you have 15 STR, 17 DEX, 15 CON, 9 INT, 8 WIS, and 12 CHA.
2) Some might allow you to roll a total of 10 sets of stats, write them all down, and then choose your favorite set.
3) Some might make you roll one set, but allow you to move points from one stat into another, with penalties: If you want to push a 16 up to a 17, you have to spend two points from somewhere else. If you want to push a 17 up to an 18, that costs three points. Also, if you drag a stat down past 5, you take a -1 penalty to some other stat.
4) Some force you to roll once, but move points around to your heart's content.
5) The very softest method of all: Not only does it roll 4D6 (low man out), but it allows you to roll an infinite number of times, and move those points around as much as you want.